• Legal skirmish over Defcon talk shows divide on disclosing security flaws

    Gag order slapped on MIT students who prepared a talk about Boston transit authority security flaw reignites debate over what “responsible disclosure” of security flaw means

  • Microchips in e-passports easily forged

    Dutch researcher uses his own software, a publicly available programming code, a £40 card reader, and two £10 RFID chips to clone and manipulate two passport chips to a point at which they were ready to be planted inside fake or stolen paper passports; the altered chips were then passed as genuine by passport reader software used by the UN agency that sets standards for e-passports; the researcher took less than an hour to alter the chips

  • Calls for tougher debit card regulation

    On Tuesday the Justice Department announced the indictment of eleven people for stealing and selling more than 40 million credit card and debit card numbers; watchgroups say this is evidence, if one were needed, that federal laws governing debit cards should be tougher — and more uniform

  • Backed against the wall

    The very term “having one’s back against the wall” implies that one is in a tight spot; this is not necessarily the case, as the wall may often be used as a tool or weapon allowing the individual being attacked to defend himself and gain control of the situation

  • New DNA sequencing techniques convince FBI of Ivins's culpability

    Since 2001 techniques for sequencing microbial DNA have vastly improved and there has been a massive effort to sequence more anthrax samples

  • Bullet-tagging technology to help combat crime

    U.K. researchers develop new bullet-tagging technology: tags are applied to gun cartridges by being embedded in cartridge coatings made from polylactic acid, sucrose ester, and tetrahydrofuran; the tags attach themselves to the hands or gloves of anyone handling the cartridge, but a portion of the tag remains on the cartridge even after it has been fired, making it possible to make a definite link between a cartridge fired during a crime and whoever handled it

  • 2001 anthrax attacks chief suspect kills himself

    Bruce Ivins, the FBI’s chief suspect in the 2001 anthrax attacks — after the previous main suspect, Steven Hatfill, has been exonerated — commits suicide; scientist kills himself after being told that the government was about to file criminal charges against him

  • Sharp increase in "zero-day" exploits

    Cyber-criminals are adopting new automation techniques and strategies that allow them to exploit vulnerabilities much faster than ever before

  • New simulation tool for handling hazardous situations

    Irish, Israeli companies develop new simulation tool which immerse trainees in a scene which has been designed for them; new tool will help first responders and law enforcement familiarize themselves with situations before they occur

  • New Zealand to use biometrics to monitor immigration

    Technology will allow border control staff to conduct biometric checks on inbound and outbound passengers

  • New rules for private guards

    Some 1,000 security companies operate in Greece, employing 50,000 people and making 90 million euros a year; the Greek parliament wants to tighten control of these companies

  • New crime: Forged eye biometrics recognition stamps

    How accurate is iris scanning biometric technology? read on: Three individuals are arresed at the Dubai airport for smuggling forged eye biometrics recognition stamps; the criminals’ goal: to facilitate the entry to the UAE of individuals who were previously banned

  • US-VISIT

    James Jasinski, CEO, Cogent Systems, comments on a young program that is discharging an immense responsibility

  • ACLU: Terrorist Watch List hits one million names

    ACLU claims terrorist watch list reached one million names; launches online watch list complaint form

  • TSA: ACLU’s terrorist watch list facts and figures are a myth

    The Transportation Security Administration refutes the facts and figures used by the ACLU in the latter’s claim that the list is now 1-million strong