Latest Security Opinion

• 11 February 2013

• Opinion: ATMs: convenient, but a security risk

  It's hard to remember life without ATMs. In Hong Kong, we can transfer funds, pay our utility bills and even settle tax demand-notes using an ATM. And they even dispense cash.

• 07 February 2013

• Opinion: Get notified when a site's terms of service change

  You know those lengthy terms-of-service (TOS) agreements everybody ignores when installing a piece of software or registering for a new Web service?

• 24 January 2013

• Opinion: Answer Line: Creepy permissions for Android apps

  Sdlmd downloaded an Android app that wanted access to Contacts, even though it had no legitimate reason to check on friends and relatives. What can be done?

• Opinion: How to prevent 'zombie accounts' from haunting your digital identity

  Zombies are a pervasive cultural theme these days. We have no shortage of zombie-apocalypse movies and literature, and the United States military and the Center for Disease Control even offer tongue-in-cheek zombie-response plans. But there are other zombies that don't get the attention they deserve--the zombie accounts you have lingering around the Internet.

• 31 December 2012

• Opinion: How to set up BitLocker encryption in Windows 8

  BitLocker is a feature of Windows 8 that allows you to encrypt all the data on your hard disk - here's how to set it up

• 18 December 2012

• Opinion: How to avoid malware

  Don't rely purely on security software to keep your laptop protected - taking a proactive approach is more effective in the long run

• Opinion: The new cybercop center of Hong Kong

  You read it in Computerworld Hong Kong: the Hong Kong Police have launched a Cyber Security Center to provide round-the-clock services. The HKP made an investment of HK$9 million in hardware and software for the new facility.

• 17 December 2012

• Opinion: You should have Cain & Abel in your security toolbox

  There’s a sort of cruel irony to passwords. The legitimate passwords people need to use to access crucial applications or data are often forgotten, and yet the bad guys seem to be able to crack passwords without breaking a sweat. Thankfully, there’s a free tool available that can help you in either of these cases—Cain & Abel.

• 14 December 2012

• Opinion: Is Internet Explorer leaking sensitive information?

  Do you use Internet Explorer? If you do, hopefully you've already applied the updates from Patch Tuesday earlier this week. But, even if you did it seems your browser might still be vulnerable to a potentially serious issue.

• 13 December 2012

• Opinion: Answer Line: TrueCrypt vs. encrypted .zip files

  Trinu, who keeps sensitive data inside AES-encrypted .zip archives, asked the Answer Line forum about the advantages and disadvantages of switching to TrueCrypt.

• 03 December 2012

• Opinion: Why isn't a program malware if it installs additional, unwanted software?

  The iLivid installation routine put several unwanted programs on Threaddy's computer. Why didn't Norton block the program as malware?

• 30 November 2012

• Opinion: Google Chrome leads the browser pack at preventing phishing, study finds

  Phishing attacks are an all-too-common threat on the Internet today, but among the top browsers Google's Chrome does the best job of preventing them.

• 26 November 2012

• Opinion: Don't fall for the Facebook privacy notice hoax

  Have you posted the notice to your Facebook timeline to proclaim your copyright ownership of all content? Have you seen others from your social network posting such a notice? If you haven't already, don't bother. It's a hoax.

• 21 November 2012

• Opinion: How to bypass the Windows 8 password screen

  At the risk of sounding like a cranky old man who doesn't like change, I'm feeling a bit cranky about Windows 8 and some of the changes it imposes. (Get off my lawn, Microsoft!)

• Opinion: With shopping scams on the rise, watch for these threats

  Tomorrow is Thanksgiving, which means only one thing--the glorious chaos we call the Holiday Shopping Season will soon be upon us. Holiday shopping also means a spike in online scams, fraud, and malware, so you need to be aware of the risks and threats, and exercise some common sense to avoid a cyber-Grinch incident.

• Opinion: Security tips for Mac travelers

  When you hit the road, it’s easy to get paranoid—especially if you’re carrying thousands of dollars’ worth of technology with you. You can alleviate some of your worries by taking security measures to protect yourself against someone running off with your iPhone, iPad, or MacBook.

• 20 November 2012

• Opinion: US teens lead the way for shady, risky online behavior

  What does your teen do when he or she is online? Do you know? Teens in general partake in riskier online behavior than your average user, but according to a recent study from McAfee--Exploring the Digital Divide--teens in the United States are even more likely to engage in shady online activities.

• 12 November 2012

• Opinion: The Malicious Safety OneCare Essential Defender: Straightening out Microsoft's confusing security tools

  Microsoft has released a confusing selection of security programs over the years. Deborah Armstrong asked me to make sense of them.

• Opinion: Email, not war, prompted retired general's downfall from CIA

  Email is a handy communication tool, but it can also be a dangerous one for someone in a position of power who has a lot of eyes watching him – as former CIA Director David Petraeus found out the hard way.

• 09 November 2012

• Opinion: Out of date, vulnerable browsers put users at risk

  Is your browser up to date? According to the results of a new survey from Kaspersky--a security software vendor--nearly a quarter of the browsers currently in use are out of date. Surfing the Web with a vulnerable browser is a recipe for disaster.

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