I was recently asked: what are the risks of using Skype for sensitive conversations?

The short of it is that by default, Skype (and Microsoft, which owns Skype) can listen to everything you're talking about, read every message & access every file you share.

#privacy #cybersecurity #encryption
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In the news: In a marketing presentation, media giant Cox Media Group says it can target adverts based on what people said out loud near device microphones.

What you can do: regularly check your phone's permissions to ensure that only the apps that need it have access to your microphone.

#privacy

In the news: research found 30% of 7 to 9 year olds have a Twitter/X account.

What you can do: Since its new ownership, X has become a cesspool of toxic content, with little to no moderation. To protect your child, you can block X on shared family devices or in parental control apps.

#socialmedia

Some #privacy good news! Google will start deleting everything it knows about users’ previously visited locations.

Any piece of personal information that a company deletes is good news, as it's a piece of personal information that cannot be leaked or sold. To take advantage of this change...

The malware was installed using standard phishing techniques: the attacker messaged victims and encouraged them to install an app from websites impersonating official bank websites. Watch out for people contacting out of the blue, and never download apps outside of official app stores.

#Privacy

More and more phishing and scamming attacks take place on instant messengers, especially WhatsApp and Telegram.

Always be cautious when you get a message from someone you don't know; don't click on suspicious-looking links, and don't download unexpected attachments!

#Privacy #CyberSecurity

In the news:
A new malware was discovered that targets Mac users and steals system information, iCloud Keychain passwords, other login credentials, web browser cookies, and Telegram account information.

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#Privacy #DigitalSecurity #CyberSecurity

Incredible project that maps out the the funders, partners, and subsidiaries of the surveillance companies that invade our privacy and, in the case of activists and journalists, threaten lives.

Check it out: https://buff.ly/3XjQJa9

#Privacy #HumanRights

It's not the first time Google Chrome is caught red-handed collecting users' data without their consent. For better privacy, use a more trustworthy web browser like Mozilla Firefox, DuckDuckGo Browser, or Brave.

#Privacy #DigitalSecurity #CyberSecurity

Attackers convinced mobile users to install Progressive Web Apps, a type of website that looks like regular apps. These looked exactly like the users' banking apps.

Avoid installing apps from outside official app stores. Official app stores offer a basic level of security.

#Privacy #CyberSecurity

A new report on phishing found that .top was one of the most common suffixes in phishing websites over the past year (only second to .com).

So if you see a suspicious email coming from a .top email address, or a link in an email that leads to a .top URL, you know what to do: don't click!

#Privacy

If you're willing to take the time to do it yourself, the most accurate and up-to-date list of people-search sites is this: https://buff.ly/3mbBkDU . If you'd rather pay, the study finds that EasyOptOuts and Optery yield decent results.

A Consumer Reports study found that some of paid services to remove our personal info from data brokers are completely useless. Doing the work yourself (by directly requesting these websites to remove your information) actually yields better results.

#Privacy #CyberSecurity

The news of a vulnerability in Google Pixel phones was alarming, claiming that hackers could easily take over any Pixel phone. A closer look revealed that an attacker would need both physical access to the phone and the user's password.

Nothing to fret about—but keep your phone updated!

#Privacy

If you are in the US, your social security number is likely in this massive leak. Our best option against identity theft is a 'credit freeze': contact credit score companies to freeze your credit. This prevents creditors from viewing your credit report and open new accounts in your name.

#Privacy

A phishing campaign against Eastern European organizations reminds us that emails coming from Proton can also be impersonated and even if an email is sent by someone you know, you should be cautious.

Shira.app remains one of the best way to build your skills to identify phishing attacks.

#Privacy