Ministry of Defence admits losing 188 laptops

The UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) has admitted losing 280 computers in the last 18 months but claimed that in almost all cases encryption would have been in place to ensure data security. In a blog post, the Ministry reacted to defence secretary Andrew Robathan’s revelation in a parliamentary written…

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Valve admits Steam accounts hacked by attackers

The apparently low-key attack on Valve’s Steam gaming distribution network reported last week has turned out to be much more serious with attackers breaking into its user database, the company has now admitted. First indications were that attackers had simply defaced the forum website on 6 November, causing it to…

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German government admits using Skype spy Trojan

Officials in a number of German state governments have owned up to using the Quellen-TKÜ Trojan Horse software in criminal investigations to intercept encrypted telecommunications on PCs. At least one state said it has suspended use of the software, after the Chaos Computer Club discovered that it could be controlled…

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German state admits to use of controversial spy software

Officials in the southern German state of Bavaria confirmed late Monday that their agencies have been using a controversial spyware program since 2009. Bavarian Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann said in a statement that they had acted within the law, and he promised a review of the software’s use. Computer security experts and German…

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Malware Comes with Many Gadgets, Homeland Security Admits

A top Homeland Security Official admitted to Congress that electronics and software sold in the United States are sometimes preloaded with spyware, malware, and other nasty security-compromising components by unknown foreign parties. Greg Schaffer, DHS assistant secretary for cybersecurity and communications, testified to the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee…

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