Encryption

Computing

Defendant Ordered To Decrypt Hard Drive Says She Forgets Her Password

11:00PM February 7, 2012 | Mario Aguilar

A Colorado woman who was ordered to unlock her computer for investigators is reportedly saying she can’t remember her password. More »


Online

How The Gizmodo Crew Manages Their Passwords

3:00PM February 2, 2012 | Brent Rose

As you should already know by now, today is Change Your Password Day. Maybe you’re overwhelmed. Maybe you need ideas. Well, what do the pros do? Your very own Gizmodo writers use the very best (and very worst) techniques. More »


Computing

Encrypting Your Hard Drive No Longer Works Against US Federal Prosecution

2:00AM January 25, 2012 | Andrew Tarantola

Sometimes common “street smarts” fail you. Like when you ask the guy who’s selling you drugs if he’s a cop. Or when you encrypt your hard drive and refuse to unlock it for prosecutors while citing the self-incriminating clause of the Fifth Amendment. More »


Online

Google Searches Just Got A Bit Safer

11:40AM October 20, 2011 | Andrew Tarantola

Secure Socket Layer (SSL) is used to encypt your online communications in everything from banking and shopping to Gmail and Facebook. Now, Google is integrating this same security measure for all logged-in users’ queries. Here’s what’s in it for you. More »


Online

Researchers Break Browser Encryption That Protects The Internet

10:50PM September 20, 2011 | Sam Biddle

Do you use Gmail? How about Facebook? Maybe Amazon? All of these rely on SSL, an encryption technology that keeps what goes between you and a website. It’s the little lock icon. Now two guys say they’ve cracked the code. More »


Software

How To Add A Second Layer Of Encryption To Dropbox

1:00PM June 21, 2011 | Melanie Pinola

If recent security and privacy concerns about Dropbox make you think twice about using this online file storage and syncing tool, there’s an easy way to further protect your sensitive files stored on Dropbox: yes, we’re talking TrueCrypt. More »


Software

Foursquare, LinkedIn Apps Are Storing Your Passwords Unencrypted

7:31AM June 9, 2011 | Sam Biddle

Storing passwords in plaintext is a bad idea. You’d think that the smarties at Netflix and Foursquare would know better. But the Wall Street Journal reports their Android versions – and other apps – do no such thing. Not good. More »


Computing

Finally, A Wireless Keyboard For Spies Or The Insanely Paranoid

12:00PM June 3, 2011 | Michael Zhao

Are you both exceptionally paranoid and loathsome of cords cluttering your desktop? Or maybe an NSA employee? If so, try to contain your excitement because Microsoft had you in mind when creating their latest wireless mouse+keyboard with 128-bit encryption. More »


Software

FaceNiff Is The Firesheep For Android, Hijacks Facebook Sessions With One Tap

9:00PM June 2, 2011 | Matthew Rogers

If you remember the privacy fiasco that Firesheep caused just months ago by allowing laptop-toting pranksters to hijack the Facebook accounts of unwitting public Wi-Fi users, then you’ll know the sort of tom-foolery that’s about to ensue now that FaceNiff exists. The app allows Android phones to sniff out and use Facebook accounts of other users on the same open wireless network with a single tap of the finger. More »


Mobile

How To Encrypt All Internet Use On Your Android Phone

3:00AM May 21, 2011 | Matthew Rogers

When you connect to a public Wi-Fi network, your Android phone is susceptible to the same sorts of attacks as a laptop — as demonstrated by the Android data vulnerability exposed a few days ago. The solution to securing your communication is simple: you have to encrypt it. Here’s how to set up an SSH tunnel as a cheap, easy method to encrypt all your Android phone’s data. More »