Memo to Trump: US telecoms is vulnerable to hackers. Please hang up and try again | John Naughton
State-backed cyberspies are exploiting ageing infrastructure to penetrate every corner of the US government, it seems – even its phone-tapping systems
You know the drill. You’re logging into your bank or another service (Gmail, to name just one) that you use regularly. You enter your username and password and then the service says that it will send you an SMS message with a code in it which you can use to confirm that it is indeed you who’s logged in. It’s called “two factor authentication” (2FA) and it passes for best practice in our networked world, given that passwords and login details can easily be cracked.
Sadly, our world is wicked as well as networked, and that SMS message can be redirected to someone else’s phone – that of the criminal who has logged in using your phished personal details – and who is now busily emptying your current account.
Continue reading...Topics
-
Congress is ready to certify Trump's election win, but Jan. 6 legacy hangs over day
Congress plans to convene amid a snowstorm to certify the 2024 election results for President-elect Donald TrumpABC News - 11h -
Republicans try to exploit New Orleans attack to push through Trump agenda
Trump loyalists make baseless link between attack and US border and say cabinet nominees must be urgently ratified. Republicans in the US Senate are attempting to exploit the New Year’s Day attack ...The Guardian - 1d -
Did the US jobs market hold up?
Market Questions is the FT’s guide to the week aheadFinancial Times - 1d -
John Bolton: For Donald Trump, the Only Loyalty Is Fealty
Neither kings nor presidents, nor their countries, are well served if they are surrounded by sycophants and rent-seekers.The New York Times - 1d -
Dictatorships Will Be Vulnerable to Algorithms
It may seem like a perfect fit: dispassionate software that streamlines the agendas of dastardly regimes. But they’ll find that the tech cuts both ways.Wired - 3d -
Jeh Johnson suggests Trump should try to keep Wray on through inauguration
Former Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson suggested Thursday that President-elect Trump should try to keep current FBI Director Christopher Wray on through his inauguration, following ...The Hill - 3d -
Chinese government hackers targeted US Treasury office that administers sanctions – report
Treasury disclosed hack earlier this week, with Washington Post reporting targets were Office of Foreign Assets Control and Office of Financial Research. Chinese government hackers breached the US ...The Guardian - 4d -
Let’s Try Something Different in How We Deal With Trump
I know many voters reject my party’s significant leftward shift. So do I. Democrats need to refocus on bipartisan solutions to America’s problems.The New York Times - 4d -
‘Set piece FC’ strike again just as Arsenal are tempted by the fountain of youth | John Brewin
Nicolas Jover’s corner routines bore fruit once more at Brentford as Ethan Nwaneri made his first league start. Never forget where you’re coming from. On the August 2021 night Brentford made their ...The Guardian - 4d
More from The Guardian
-
Justin Trudeau announces plan to quit as Canada’s prime minister
Trudeau says he will bring an end to his nearly 10-year spell in power once his Liberal party has found a new leader. Justin Trudeau has said he will step down as Canada’s prime minister after ...The Guardian - 3h -
Emmanuel Macron joins growing criticism of Elon Musk in Europe
French president accuses world’s richest man of intervening directly in continent’s democratic processes. Emmanuel Macron has added his voice to a growing chorus of European criticism of Elon Musk, ...The Guardian - 6h -
Kamala Harris says ‘America’s democracy stood’, after certifying Trump’s election victory – US politics live
Vice-president speaks to reporters after joint session to certify results exactly four years after Trump’s supporters stormed Capitol. Congress certifies Trump’s election win amid unprecedented ...The Guardian - 13m -
Sugary drinks linked to millions of new diabetes and heart disease cases – study
Tufts University analysis highlights rise in global health inequalities, with fastest growth in linked diseases in Africa. Sugary drinks are responsible for more than 2.2m new cases of diabetes and ...The Guardian - 4h -
US winter storm leaves four dead as millions hit by snow, ice and bitter cold
Hundreds of thousands left without power and flights canceled as state of emergencies declared in several states. Winter Storm Blair – latest updates Millions of Americans were hit by a major ...The Guardian - 1h
More in World
-
Wolves v Nottingham Forest: Premier League – live
Minute-by-minute coverage of the 8pm UK time kick-off Any comments? You can send Michael an email If Forest keep this form up , it’s not inconceivable that Hudson-Odoi could add to his three ...The Guardian - 5m -
Prima(te) ballerina: errant monkey in a tutu leads Missouri police a merry dance
Sheriff’s deputies captured the monkey, which had opened a door to escape, before arrival of winter storm. A monkey in a pink tutu that slipped out of a Missouri home was captured just before a ...The Guardian - 10m -
Kamala Harris says ‘America’s democracy stood’, after certifying Trump’s election victory – US politics live
Vice-president speaks to reporters after joint session to certify results exactly four years after Trump’s supporters stormed Capitol. Congress certifies Trump’s election win amid unprecedented ...The Guardian - 13m -
Canada Live Updates: Trudeau Is Stepping Down as Party Leader and Prime Minister
Justin Trudeau, who has led the country for nearly a decade, is giving up leadership of the Liberal party. He said he would remain in both roles until his replacement has been chosen through a ...The New York Times - 18m -
Azerbaijani Anger Over Plane Crash Grows, in Deepening Schism With Russia
In the crash’s aftermath, Azerbaijan has unleashed rare and stinging criticism of Russia, with the country’s president saying Moscow’s response has caused “surprise, regret and rightful indignation.”The New York Times - 19m