O'Grady's PowerPage

Tag: spoof

  • Google Chrome receives significant search-related updates in the latest versions for macOS and iOS

    Google Chrome receives significant search-related updates in the latest versions for macOS and iOS

    If you like Google Chrome for iOS and macOS, it just got a few hefty improvements under the hood.

    Google has announced a few updates for its cross-platform browser across iOS and desktop. The iOS update focuses on giving users more opportunities to initiate searches, while the desktop update is more modest.

    The four search-specific features for Google Chrome following the update are as follows:

    • The address bar is now more content-aware of the webpage you’re visiting. That means if you select the address bar while browsing a website, search suggestions will appear under “Related to this page.”
    • Trending searches will soon appear in the iOS version of Chrome, similar to how they have on Android. Tap on the address bar and scroll down to see these suggestions when they appear later in 2023.
    • Related searches are coming to the iOS version of Chrome. These appear on a card at the bottom of the app when a word or object is selected.
    • Finally, Chrome for iOS will show ten total search suggestions instead of six. As always, more relevant results will appear at the top.

    For desktop Chrome users, downloaded files will be moved to a tray next to the address bar. This location is more modern and standardized across other browsers like Safari. The download tray is visible whenever a download is in progress or within the last 24 hours of a download. It offers expected features like the ability to pause, resume, or stop a download. The new location also offers more content about a download, such as warnings or errors. Files that are determined to be dangerous are clearly labeled. Finally, by moving the download section into the UI Chrome by the address bar, websites can no longer spoof the bottom download tab within a webpage.

    Google has also added more options for the download view in the application’s settings.

    The new version of Google Chrome is available via the App Store on iOS or through the Chrome website for macOS.

    If you’ve tried the newest version and have any feedback to offer, please let us know about your experience in the comments.

    Via AppleInsider

  • TRACED bill raises robocall fines up to $10,000 per call

    If you’re looking for some measure of vengeance against robocalls, it’s en route.

    Congress approved a bill on Thursday that raises the fine for robocalls up to $10,000 per call. The bill has been going the “Telephone Robocall Abuse Criminal Enforcement and Deterrence Act (TRACED)”.

    Per the Verge:

    Once TRACED is enacted, the Federal Communications Commission could fine robocallers up to $10,000 per call. It also would require major carriers like AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile to deploy a new technology called STIR/SHAKEN into their networks, which will make it easier for consumers to know if they’re receiving a call from a spoofed number.

    Spoofing occurs when robocallers make it appear as if a call is coming from your area. The numbers appear differently each time, making them more difficult to trade.

    Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

    Via The Mac Observer and The Verge

  • Bkav hacking group bypasses Face ID, shows second proof of concept mask

    In spite of Face ID being an impressive feature, yet another successful proof of concept/hack seems to have taken place.

    The security system, which has apparently been fooled by twins, children, and a mask has once again been bypassed by Vietnamese security company Bkav, which made headlines in mid-November after uploading a video featuring Face ID accessed by a mask. Though successful as a proof of concept, there were several questions about the unlocking methods used in the video, including whether “Require Attention” was turned on. On Monday, Bkav shared a second video with a new mask and a clearer look at how the mask was used to spoof Face ID.

    The company used a 3D printed mask made of stone powder, which can be replicated for approximately $200. 2D infrared images of eyes were then taped over the mask to emulate real eyes.

    (more…)

  • Hacker group claims iPhone X Face ID feature can be fooled with mask technique

    It’s been noted that Apple’s the iPhone X’s Face ID feature can be fooled by an identical twin. Now it looks like a mask might do the trick as well.

    On Friday, Vietnamese security firm Bkav released a blog post and video showing that—by all appearances—they’d cracked Face ID with a composite mask of 3-D-printed plastic, silicone, makeup, and simple paper cutouts, which in combination tricked an iPhone X into unlocking. That demonstration, which has yet to be confirmed publicly by other security researchers, could poke a hole in the expensive security of the iPhone X, particularly given that the researchers say their mask cost just $150 to make.

    The hack stands as a proof-of-concept for the time being, so the average iPhone owner isn’t at grave risk.

    Bkav, offered the following comments:

    “Apple has done this not so well. Face ID can be fooled by mask, which means it is not an effective security measure.”

    (more…)