Skype taken to task by angry users over claimed crapware payload

By Terrence O'Brien
The Skype forums are a hive of panic and abuzz with accusations that either the company is bundling crapware with its VoIP app or has a serious security problem. Users are reporting that a strange, new, and difficult to uninstall program is finding its way on to their PCs called EasyBits GO. EasyBits is the company that has powered Skype's games channel since 2006, but at least until now its wares have not been standalone software. One moderator has declared EasyBits Go is not part of Skype and suggested customers immediately run a malware scan, but mods are volunteers and not official representatives of the company, so we're taking it with a grain of salt. Another (later) post from a forum admin simply states that Skype is looking into the issue and will release an official statement, though we have no idea when that might actually happen and we're awaiting reply to our own request for comment. Go to engadget for the rest of the story

Michigan Police May Be Using Cellphone Hacking Device During Routine Traffic Stops

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is currently engaged in a war of words and requests for information on a device used by the Michigan state police that can extract information from cellphones. The device, which has reportedly been in use since at least 2008, is apparently being used by the police during minor traffic violations.

The device, called the Cellebrite UFED, has been tested by the Department of Justice which reported the device was capable of pulling all photos and video from an iPhone in under a minute and a half. Cellbrite says their devices also can extract, “existing, hidden, and deleted phone data, including call history, text messages, contacts, images, and geotags.” It can also extract your highly incriminating ringtones. These devices can also circumvent password protection, and are reported to work on over 3,000 cellphone models.

Understandably, the ACLU has voiced concern that the device breaches the protection against unreasonable search and seizure guaranteed by the 4th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. The argument that innocent people have nothing to hide is, to my mind, insufficient against a device that cannot distinguish incriminating data. From the information provided by manufacturer, an officer would need to sort through the data piece-by-piece on a computer. Meaning that during a short traffic stop there seems to be little chance that police would be able to find useful information. Moreover, even an innocent person would likely have qualms with a stranger, police officer or not, pawing through their personal information.

Furthermore, one wonders how officers would have time to sort through reams of this information.

Though these devices are certainly valuable during investigations, the risk is that indiscriminate uncessarily exposes the information of private individuals. Interestingly, the ACLU’s attempts to determine how the device is being used in the field have met with spectacular opposition from the Michigan police. The ACLU has filed Freedom of Information Act requests about the device, detailing the use of the device. A FOIA request generally compels the recipient to respond with all non-sensitive information. The police have responded by requesting $544,680 in exchange for the information.

Perhaps the most unfortunate result of using this device is that it will almost certainly increase public distrust toward law enforcement officers. Though the Michigan police likely have the best of intentions at heart, their apparent unwillingness to reveal how these devices are being used certainly does not bode well. It’s an unfortunate note to end on, but those driving in or through Michigan should probably educate themselves on their rights. article written by www.geekosystem.com

Cellebrite website- http://www.cellebrite.com/forensic-products/forensic-products.html

iPhone 5G' case photos show off edge-to-edge screen, new camera flash location

It’s okay if you can’t keep up with the crush of future iPhone rumors and speculation. There’s a lot to sort through. Just last Friday it was reported that the rumored September iPhone release — Apple has historically announced new phones in the early summer, but reports suggest that the yearly cycle is being shifted to the fall — won’t be the iPhone 5, but rather an upgraded version of the iPhone 4. The fifth generation iOS phone may or may not be arriving this fall, but previous reports that revealed it will sport an edge-to-edge screen have received additional support from a new source.

Adam Rosenberg

PREY

Here is a Free program for your Laptop and cell phone "Prey"-
Silent but deadly
Basically you install a tiny agent in your PC or phone, which silently waits for a remote signal to wake up and work its magic.

This signal is sent either from the Internet or through an SMS message, and allows you to gather information regarding the device's location, hardware and network status, and optionally trigger specific actions on it. Next

Sony's websites may be next target for hackers, report says

Sony's websites may be the next target for hackers in what would be a third cyber attack against the consumer electronics titan, according to a report from CNet.

An unidentified group of hackers said it was planning to attack Sony's websites this weekend in response to the anger over the way the Tokyo-based company has handled attacks against its PlayStation Network and cloud-based music service Qriocity, CNet said.- source La times

Apple releases iPhone, iPad software update to address location data collection

Following a furor over its iPhone and iPad devices collecting up to a year's worth of data related to a user's whereabouts, Apple Inc. on Wednesday released a software update that reduces the amount of data stored on the devices and allows users to delete the log of recorded locations.

The updated software version, iOS 4.3.3, will reduce the size of the file storing locations from up to a year's worth of data down to about a week's worth, Apple said, and will give users the option of shutting off the data collection altogether by turning off the "Location Services" setting.- source La Times

Facebook and Google consider buying or partnering with Skype, report says

Facebook and Google are each considering partnering with or taking over Skype, which has caused the Luxembourg-based Internet phone service to delay its plans to go public, according to a report.

Skype was planning to issue its initial public offering to the tune of about 100 million, but the company is now putting that plan on pause as two tech giants are independently mulling over getting involved with Skype, according to a Reuters report.- source La times

Gigwalk pays iPhone users to do odd jobs

Gigwalk is looking to pay iPhone users to explore their cities, snap photos, verify locations and report back what they've found.

"There are millions of people out there in the world with smartphones in their pockets," said Ariel Seidman, Gigwalk's co-founder and chief executive. "They're consuming content, but we'd like to make people participants in a sort of mobile workforce. And that's what we do, we offer up small gigs that you can do on your way home from work, or before dinner with friends. And you can earn a little money in the process."

The whole process works by way of an iPhone app. Once a user downloads the Gigwalk app, fills out a short application to register themselves as a "gigwalker" and is approved, they are then able to view and choose odd jobs in their local area.- source La Times

Xbox 360 gamers targeted in phishing attack

While everybody is focusing on the extensive outage that hit 77 million PlayStation Network customers all over the globe, it looks like the Xbox Live network hasn't escaped security controversy, either.
Late last week, reports started popping up that a potential phishing scheme had been launched on the Xbox 360 version of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2.
The Microsoft issue is not as widespread as Sony's drama (the gaming network is still running, which is an obvious clue), but it is serious enough for the company to issue a Service Alert to warn all Xbox Live users of the potential security risk.

OSAMA BIN LADEN DEAD

Obama: Al-Qaida head bin Laden dead. Finally Got his ass in a fire fight inside Pakistan living at what is been called a mansion. Bin laden was reportedly killed by us forces. took us 10 years to get him but we nailed his ass in the end,but this does not mean the end from Al-Qaida. I am sure that we haven't seen the last from this terrorist organization we will always have to keep vigilant the rest of our days.But at least this night May 1 2011 we can celebrate "JUSTICE HAS BEEN SERVED". Let this be a waring to Al-Qaida that no matter how long it takes us and no matter where you run to in the world you will never be safe, we will find you and we will bring you to Justice DEAD or Alive.....God Bless America and our men and women in are armed forces..