According to a report by CNET UK, thousands of login credentials for Hotmail, Yahoo, and Google accounts have been stolen and posted online. Since Google accounts also allow access to Blogger, YouTube, Google Docs and Google Talk accounts, the potential data breach is huge as are the possible repercussions. Google is blaming a large scale phishing attack for the breach.
“We recently became aware of an industry-wide phishing scheme through which hackers gained user credentials for Web-based mail accounts including Gmail accounts,” a Google spokesperson told CNET UK. "As soon as we learned of the attack, we forced password resets on the affected accounts. We will continue to force password resets on additional accounts when we become aware of them.”
Microsoft is also aware of the breach and says it is doing everything it can to mitigate any damage. It is blocking accounts it knows to have been compromised and then helping the legit owners reclaim them. It's not yet known exactly how many accounts have been compromised, exactly how it happened or who is responsible. It's believed the accounts are probably being collected to send spam, malware, or further phishing accounts.
If you have a Yahoo, Hotmail and/or Google account, change your passwords ASAP. If you find yourself locked out of your account, contact the provider for assistance and be prepared to prove you are the actual account holder. Stay tuned to Gadgetell for more on this developing story.
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AT&T has finally announced that it will now allow Voice over IP on the 3G network for all of its phones. Essentially, this means VoIP apps, like the recent Vonage app, can be used on the iPhone and not just over W-Fi. Now you can finally use Skype over the 3G network (when the update is released) and hopefully have fewer dropped calls than when you call people normally.
What this won’t fix, however, is Google Voice on the iPhone. Verizon today announced it will be supporting Google Voice, apps for the service are available on the Android Marketplace and can be used on T-Mobile (and presumably Spring with the upcoming Hero), and Palm Pre has multiple unofficial Google Voice apps. This leaves AT&T as the only carrier that doesn’t seem to support the service. To be fair, Google Voice doesn’t require the iPhone app, but it is helpful. Also, AT&T stated it had nothing to do with blocking the Google Voice iPhone app. That whole issue is itself very confusing, with each company claiming something different, but it still stands that Google Voice isn’t VoIP, and most likely won’t be affected by this.
Allowing VoIP for every smartphone on the network is a good move by AT&T. Verizon Wireless looks to be taking every shot it can at the company, so AT&T needs some good publicity at the moment. It would be better if the network wasn’t so overloaded with iPhones, and the company worked on the infrastructure, but at least that gives more people a reason to skip the iPhone for an Android or WebOS device, or even the newly released Windows Phone.
Facebook's messaging system is widely used and very convenient, but it's also got some serious security flaws as far as privacy is concerned. Let's take a look:
Even non friends can message you.
The site's default is to allow anyone, even those not on your friends list, to message you. This means a spammer or scammer can simply open an account, harvest some names from the Facebook directory (which again the default is to include everyone) and then send a message to them all containing spam, a phishing attempt or even malware.
To block anyone not on your friends list from sending you messages, click on Settings, then scroll down to privacy and click manage, and then click on Search. You'll be presented with a check list of things people who search for you can see. This includes your photo, friends list, a link to add you as a friend, and a link to send you a message. Uncheck that one and any other items you don't want non friends to see when you are searched for in the directory.
After you've been added to a thread it's impossible to remove yourself from it or block it.
Whether you just want to excuse yourself from a chat thread or find yourself on a spammers mailing list, you're stuck. Facebook offers absolutely no way to remove yourself or block a thread, other than the overly drastic step of deleting your FB account, which few of us would ever consider doing.
Blocking people doesn't stop them from messaging you.
It's true! Say you decide to block a spammer or even a friend you've had a falling out with. Since they've already messaged you, as long as they have access to that message (or a past message from you) they can still contact you. This is particularly grievous to anyone who has blocked someone due to harassment as the nasty messages will still keep coming. Again, the only solution Facebook offers is to delete your account. Shameful.
While Facebook does offer a report system it seldom does much good. It's far better to let users be proactive and decide for themselves who they do and do not want to receive messages from. Are you listening, Facebook?
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One big piece of info coming out of the Google/Verizon announcement today is that Google Voice will be a big part of the Google phones Verizon will carry, starting with two this year. Verizon and Google have been working together for over a year on this and they expect the multi-year partnership will produce more phones every year.
Google Voice made the headlines when it was denied from the Apple App Store for the iPhone and prompted government questioning from the FCC. The service from Google allows you to have one phone number that can ring other numbers along with a host of advanced digital services. The service has the potential to shift costs from a mobile line to a landline but Verizon doesn’t seem to pay that any mind. Instead, Verizon is using it as a differentiator to keep AT&T at bay.
“Verizon plans to support Google Voice. You either have an open device or not. This will be open.” Lowell McAdam, CEO Verizon Wireless.
Also noted in the talk, Google will have input on the hardware. Google is not getting into the hardware game but will advise which form factors might work best with their OS. Interesting huh?
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has announced a new set of rules for bloggers, which will require them to reveal any paid endorsements that they receive. For instance, if you receive money from a company to review their product and post the review online, you will have to disclose this information in your post. Any free products will need to be revealed as well, since the FTC counts these "gifts" as compensation.
Bloggers will not be the only ones covered under this new regulation. Prominent users of social network sites, like Twitter and Facebook will also be forced to follow these new rules. For instance, if a famous band refers their Twitter followers to a resort that they stayed at for free, they must disclose this information on their Twitter page. Corporate affiliations must also be revealed in the new rules. If you are raving about Mac OS, you better let your readers know that you work for Apple.
The bottom line? Keep your ethics in line by admitting to any money or products you may receive when publishing online.
I love when things are neat and orderly, in fact I would go as far as saying that I hate clutter. Given that I am hoping Google continues to roll-out their latest test search page.
According to recent reports, some users who are visiting Google.com are seeing a page that has the text fading out, which in turn leaves only the Google logo and search box below it. The text reportedly fades in and out depending on how and where you move your mouse.
Of course this new look is really not all that surprising to see, after all Google has long been fans of the minimalist look. That said, I can already understand how some may think they are taking it a little far this time. Unfortunately for me, I am not yet seeing this fading page, but even being a fan of any no-clutter look I am really not seeing the point here.
Maybe, just maybe if Google is looking to clear some clutter they can remove that silly “I’m feeling Lucky” button. All things considered, this page would be nice to see with an option, let the users decide. But in the end this page is still being tested and may never make it past this initial stage anyway.
If you are a mobile phone fan like me, so far CTIA has been a bit disappointing. Two phones that I have been looking forward to fondling are reportedly major duds and have each earned a “don’t touch with a 10 foot pole” warning. It is up to Google and Verizon to cheer me up.
Garmin Nuvi phone
I barely recall that New York evening where Garmin announced they were working on the Nuviphone. Back then, the idea was fresh and exciting but then development slowed and they took on Asustek as a partner to finally get it to market. The phone is finally stateside on AT&T and is priced at $299 (though, it looks like Amazon will sell it to you for $149). The reviews haven’t been kind:
From Gizmodo: “the first Nuvifone should have been euthanized, not put on AT&T shelves” PC Mag says: “...it’s a one-trick pony that falls short in nearly every other way” Business Week “The problem is, the phone part of the nüvifone is mediocre at best. It’s a basic handset with a minimal e-mail program and Web browser and a camera that’s merely O.K.”
Windows 6.5
Microsoft launched their latest update: Windows 6.5 this morning and despite our high hopes, things don’t look rosy for the mobile OS. The review phone everyone’s got their hands on is the HTC Pure. Here’s what’s being said:
ZD Net: “...(I) would never recommend anyone actually purchase a new device just to get this update on their smartphone.” Slashgear says, “Enterprise users will likely find this latest version a decent mixture of the familiar and the new, but Windows Mobile 6.5 still falls short of a knock-out blow against webOS, Android and the iPhone.” From Engadget: “...it’s very much a stopgap, complete with duct tape, bubble gum, and Bondo.”
Verizon’s Google Phone
There is hope for us phone gadget freaks. Late yesterday, Google and Verizon said they would have a surprise announcement this morning. This should be the announcement of the Google-powered Android phone from Motorola. This phone should make a splash on the Verizon network and has a chance to become to the best selling Android phone yet, based on just how big the Verizon network is and the lack of smartphone options in the Verizon stable. Check back later today to have my suspicions confirmed (or debunked).
The latest ad campaign from Verizon seems to be aimed directly at AT&T and is quite entertaining. Personally, I am over the whole coverage side of the argument, but that is just because your level of coverage really depends on where you live and even more so where you go. I have an account with AT&T (iPhone) and Sprint (MiFi) and experience only the random issue where I live—that is despite hearing numerous times everyday how much both of those carriers suck.
Getting back to the ad, it is entitled “Want 5 times more 3G coverage? There’s a map for that.” and just as you could have guessed it shows off a map comparing the coverage of AT&T side by side with Verizon Wireless.
Furthermore it goes on to suggest that “before you pick a phone, pick a network” which seems only fitting when many people complain about the lack of smartphone selection with Verizon. Of course, that is just a matter of personal opinion.
What it comes down to is that every carrier has their issues. People hit AT&T for dropped calls, Sprint for their less-than-stellar customer service, T-Mobile for their lack of 3G and again, Verizon for their lack of smartphones.
That said, regardless of where you stand on US based cellular carriers, the ad is still funny to watch.
AT&T has finally announced that it will now allow Voice over IP on the 3G network for all of its phones. Essentially, this means VoIP apps, like the recent Vonage app, can be used on the iPhone and not just over W-Fi. Now you can finally use Skype over the 3G network (when the update is released) and hopefully have fewer dropped calls than when you call people normally.
Facebook's messaging system is widely used and very convenient, but it's also got some serious security flaws as far as privacy is concerned. Let's take a look:
One big piece of info coming out of the Google/Verizon announcement today is that Google Voice will be a big part of the Google phones Verizon will carry, starting with two this year. Verizon and Google have been working together for over a year on this and they expect the multi-year partnership will produce more phones every year.
I love when things are neat and orderly, in fact I would go as far as saying that I hate clutter. Given that I am hoping Google continues to roll-out their latest test search page. 
The latest ad campaign from Verizon seems to be aimed directly at AT&T and is quite entertaining. Personally, I am over the whole coverage side of the argument, but that is just because your level of coverage really depends on where you live and even more so where you go. I have an account with AT&T (iPhone) and Sprint (MiFi) and experience only the random issue where I live—that is despite hearing numerous times everyday how much both of those carriers suck.
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