New Tax Fraud Scam Reminds Us: Protect Your Social Security Number

While Heartbleed and credit card breaches at Target and Michael's have us all on the watch for our security, the most secure number in your inventory isn't your credit card number: It's your Social Security number. Here are a few tips for protecting it.

Krebs on Security recently reported on a major break-in to a payroll software database and HR departments, specifically targeted to grab a social security numbers:

According to the control panel seen by this reporter, the scammers in charge of this scheme have hacked more than a half-dozen U.S. companies, filing fake tax returns on nearly every employee. At last count, this particular scam appears to stretch back to the beginning of this year's tax filing season, and includes fraudulent returns filed on behalf of thousands of people — totaling more than $1 million in bogus returns.

While Krebs reports on a wide-scale hack, the fact is that the treasure trove of potential money isn't in the database of credit cards. When a credit card is stolen, the number can be reissued and the owner (usually) has zero liability. A stolen social security number can result in a stolen tax refund, and reissuing the number isn't as easy as getting a new credit card. Even if you are secure the number, your employer may drop the ball and expose your information.

So what can you do to protect yourself and others? Here are a few tips:

• If you have access to Social Security numbers at work, guard them them. Create strong passwords and don't leave your systems logged in. Don't leave the Social Security numbers in plain view and avoid printing them on a shared printer. Shred the documents when done and securely erase the drive the even if the drive is an SSD.
• Consider getting a Federal Employer ID Number (FEIN) instead of giving out your Social security number. If you are a freelancer or otherwise self-employed you should always give out your FEIN instead of your Social Security number.
• Hide anything that has your Social Security number better than you would hide your credit card number. Don't leave this number in plain sight in the car or at work and don't use your number in a public place such as coffee shop. Shred any file with your Social Security number if you don't need the file. Check here to see when to do that.
• Consider getting an Identity Protection PIN. This is a two-factor authentication strategy.

You can change a credit card number, you can change your passwords, but changing your Social Security number is much more difficult. So make sure you're securing your Social Security number as much as you can.

Crimeware Helps File Fraudulent Tax Returns | Krebs on Security

Photo by 410(K) 2012.

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How to protect your Android from the Heartbleed bug

Loie Favre 2014-04-16T10:15:01Z5 hours ago

Loie Favre

Loie Favre is a Canadian-German, food-loving, live-music-craving globe-trotter. Coming from a humble background in the Canadian Prairies centred around nature and the Arts, she studied Translation and Languages in Edmonton. She left his home on the Pacific Coast of Canada, to seek her fortune in Berlin. She is now an Editor and Manager for AndroidPIT.com and is enjoying discovering about everything and anything under the sun about Android.

Heartbleed is one of the biggest security breaches the internet has ever known. Here’s how to protect your Android smartphone against this OpenSSL bug which leaves your phone vulnerable to virus attacks.

© AndroidPIT

What is Heartbleed

Hearbleed is a flaw in the OpenSLL software ‘’Heartbeat’’ function which is what’s behind secure internet connections. It is this function that is buggy, allowing attackers to manipulate it and cause some serious damage to the affected systems. The Heartbleed vulnerability impacts any infrastructure that has the affected version of OpenSSL.

So who is affected?

According to Symantec, the majority of main browsers do not use this OpenSLL software. But on Android, it’s the complete opposite. Your Android is at risk, which means that private info stored on it is as well. You can use the Symantec SSL Tool check to see if a website is vulnerable to the Heartbleed bug.

Heartbleed on Android

Generally speaking, if you are on a vulnerable website and a new identical tab opens when you have entered your identifiers, stop right there and close out right away. Another method that hackers often use is to inject a code into a vulnerable Android navigator, which allows the instigator to fish out sensitive information that is stored in the phone’s memory.

How to protect your Android against Heartbleed

Lookout, a developing group that you might already know thanks to their antivirus app, have developed a new app called Heartbleed Security Scanner that will help you see whether your phone is vulnerable or not: the application however does NOT protect you, which means you will have to wait until Google or your manufacturer releases an update.

© AndroidPIT

Tips to protect your data

• Change your password regularly
• Avoid using the same passwords on various websites
• If you detect a vulnerable site using the Symantec SSL toolbox, wait before changing your password.
• If your Android is vulnerable, be cautious and make sure you update your phone.

The real problem with Heartbleed is that the bug has already existed for over two years, and that your passwords are potentially exposed, yet another reason why you should change them regularly.

Source: Ars Technica

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Protect Your Passwords, Save on Car Maintenance, Learn Sous Vide

Maintaining your car doesn't have to mean breaking the bank. Today on Amazon, you can stock up with 6 quarts of synthetic motor oil for just $36, and you can save 20% on a new DieHard car battery from Sears while you're at it. And of course, you can still pick up a pair of Valeo wiper blades for $20.

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New: Staples is currently offering the Wacom Bamboo Pen and Touch Tablet for $130, which is $30 less than the typical street price.

Wacom Bamboo Pen and Touch Tablet | $130

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If you've ever wanted a faster way to transfer large files on or off your phone, this handy flash drive from Corsair might be just what you're looking for.

You can get a full product tour in the video below, but basically, this flash drive features a MicroUSB connector on one end to plug into your Android phone or tablet, while a hidden full-sized USB connector on the other end interfaces with your PC or Mac. This could be really useful if you're on vacation and run out of storage space on your phone for photos and videos, or if you need to carry a few extra movies for a long plane ride.

Today on Amazon, the 64GB model is marked down to just $45, which is the lowest price we've ever seen.

Corsair Flash Voyager Go (64GB) | $45

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Sous Vide sounds kind of complicated, but it's actually one of the easiest cooking techniques out there. In fact, it's usually the only way I can prepare a steak without overcooking it. If you're ready to get started, one of the most popular water ovens is down to its lowest price ever today on Amazon.

If you don't have $350 to drop, this Dorkfood termperature controller can turn any slow cooker into a sous vide bath. I own it, and love it.

Sous Vide Supreme Water Oven | $353

Dorkfood Sous-Vide Temperature Controller | $97

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Heartbleed was bad. Really, really bad. But you can be more prepared for the next massive web exploit with 1Password, one of the best password managers around. The iOS, Mac, and Windows clients are all half off today, and Android and Windows Phone users can also get a read-only client for free.

• 1Password [iOS] ($9) | Normally $18
• 1Password [Mac] ($20) | Normally $50 | Promo Code MACPOWERUSERS. Also available on the App Store for $25 if you'd rather have it tied to your Apple ID.
• 1Password [Windows] ($20) | Normally $50 | Promo Code MACPOWERUSERS

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The Metrokane Rabbit Swish provides instant, attractive aeration on a per-glass basis. I've had an aerator for my decanter for years that I love, but I may have to pick this up anyway.

Metrokane Rabbit Swish Wine Aerator | $13

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The Sennheiser CX 685 Adidas Sports In-Ear Headphones are some of the best exercise audio on the market. They won't be falling out of your ears, and they will be provide quality audio, without deafening you to your surroundings. In fact, they're the step-down model of The Wirecutter's choice for best exercise buds, step-down meaning they're shaped a bit differently and don't have in-line controls. At $37 today, they're at their lowest price ever, and an easy recommendation.

Sennheiser CX 685 Adidas Sports In-Ear Headphones | $37

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T-Fal 12-Piece Cookware Set | $60

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Newegg is running an across the board video game sale, covering everything from The Last of Us to next-gen titles and Wii U fitness games. Dig in, but be warned, everything is selling out quickly. Use code VGMADNESS1 on everything for another 10% off. We of course have it all broken out below for you.

Newegg Gaming Blowout Sale

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The original Microsoft Surface wasn't without its flaws, but it's falling into impulse buy territory now. Today you can get a refurb model for $179, or a brand new one with a touch cover for $300.

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We shared the AmazonBasics tablet keyboard a few days ago, but this model from Sharkk is only about a few bucks more today, and includes a backlight.

SHARKK Bluetooth 3.0 Ultra-Slim Illuminated Keyboard | $28 | Promo code 43WVJ97N

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What Are The Best Desktop Speakers?

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Apps

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• 1Password [Windows] ($20) | Normally $50 | Promo Code MACPOWERUSERS

Windows Phone

Phones and Tablets

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Use 9NXY7B-749QGZ-QIM2NG for 20% lots of things at GreenManGaming, including:

Newegg also has tons of games on sale.

Inventory

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Follow us for the best deals on the internet, curated for @lifehacker readers.

— Lifehacker Deals (@LifehackerDeals) December 10, 2013

Get in touch with me on Twitter or by emailing shep@gawker.

— Shep McAllister (@shepmcallister) December 10, 2013

This post is brought to you by the Commerce Team, a dedicated group of deal hunters and product enthusiasts. We operate independently of Editorial to bring you the best bargains every day, share our favorite products with you, and ask you about yours. When you buy something we recommend, we may also get a small share of the sale. We welcome your questions and want your feedback.

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Nest Halts Sales Of Protect Smoke Alarm Over Safety Concerns About ‘Wave To Dismiss’ Feature

Nest CEO Tony Fadell has just issued a notice recommending users disable the Protect smoke alarm’s ’wave to dismiss’ feature. In testing, it was discovered that people could accidentally trigger the dismiss feature, delaying a smoke alarm.

Sales of the Nest Protect have also been halted.

He recommends that users disable the feature for now, and says Nest is going to update units that will allow the feature to work correctly. In addition, if your Nest Protect is connected to the Internet via Wi-Fi, it will have the feature disabled automatically.

Until the feature has been corrected, users can tap the button on the unit to silence alarms.

“At Nest, we conduct regular, rigorous tests to ensure that our products are the highest quality,” says Fadell. “During recent laboratory testing of the Nest Protect smoke alarm, we observed a unique combination of circumstances that caused us to question whether the Nest Wave (a feature that enables you to turn off your alarm with a wave of the hand) could be unintentionally activated.”

Fadell says that the testing will take two to three months, and that they will update consumers as they progress.

“We’re enormously sorry for the inconvenience caused by this issue,” he continues. “The team and I are dedicated to ensuring that we can stand behind each Nest product that comes into your home, and your 100% satisfaction and safety are what motivates us. Please know that the entire Nest team and I are focused on fixing this problem and continuing to improve our current products in every way possible.”

In a related FAQ, Nest says that it had observed the issue in testing and has had no reports of it from any customer. There are also instructions provided that will allow users to disable the feature even if the units are not connected to the net.

The post notes that if any consumers do not want to keep the Nest Protect, a complete refund will be offered. Somewhat ironically, the Nest Wave feature was promoted heavily as a benefit of owning a Protect unit.

On the plus side, because this is a device that has built-in software and connects to the net, it can be updated remotely to fix software-related issues. But recently, an issue with a Nest Thermostat software update caused problems with Wi-Fi and batteries in some units, highlighting the delicate nature of software that powers our environmental systems — and that we trust with our safety.

The Nest Protect was the company’s second product after the Nest Thermostat. Nest announced plans to be acquired by Google for $3.2 billion in cash in January.

Nest Protect Two-Pack, Qi Charger, Monoprice IPS, Chromebook [Deals]

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If you've been longing for a futuristic smoke protector, today's your lucky day. Beyond the Nest, we've found deals on Monoprice's beloved IPS monitor, a Mohu TV antenna, a great Chromebook, and a lot more.

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The Nest Protect took the seemingly mundane and static smoke alarm, and brought the entire product category into the future. The downside; it costs $129. Today at Home Depot though, you can pick up a pair of them for just $199, representing $59 in savings. You get the most out of the Protect when you have several of them scattered around the house, so you'll want to buy at least two regardless.

To get the deal, just add two to your cart, and the discount will be applied automatically.

2x Nest Protect Smart Smoke + Carbon Monoxide Alarms [Wired] | $199

2x Nest Protect Smart Smoke + Carbon Monoxide Alarms [Battery] | $199

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If you love the idea of ditching cable in favor of a Mohu Leaf antenna, but don't relish the idea of hanging the thing from your wall, the Mohu Curve can rest behind your TV or on a shelf with the included stand, while offering the same great performance as the Mohu Leaf Ultimate.

Mohu Curve 50 Designer HDTV Antenna | $81

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If your phone supports wireless charging, this well-reviewed RAVPower Qi charging pad is $10 off its usual price today on Amazon. At that price, you could scatter these things all around your house for seamless device charging, or even build one into your nightstand.

RAVPower Wireless Qi Charging Pad | $30

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Everyone's favorite cheap 27" IPS display is even cheaper than usual today. If you care about such things, you can also get $29 back in Rakuten SuperPoints with promo code SUPERWKND when you purchase.

Monoprice 27" IPS 2560x1440 Monitor | $290

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If you're like me, you've been thinking of picking up a Chromebook as a backup laptop for awhile, but $200-$300 is just a little more than you want to spend. If that's the case for you, then today's the time to strike, with Amazon offering a refurb of one of the best models out there for only $150.

While most Chromebooks utilize underpowered ARM processors, the Acer C720 has been lauded for its best-in-class battery life and speedy performance, powered by an honest-to-goodness Intel chip. It's also the Commerce Team's choice for Best Chromebook and Best Cheap Laptop. Even if Chrome OS doesn't check all of your boxes, this laptop is perfectly capable for word processing, web browsing, and the like, and it costs less than your average monthly cable bill. If a touchscreen and double the storage space is worth $70 to you, you can also pick up the C720P for $220 refurbished.

refurb Acer C720 | $150

refurb Acer C720P | $220

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While it might feel weird to buy a Kindle Fire from a store that isn't Amazon, Staples today is taking $60 off the 7" HDX models, and $30 off the 7" Kindle Fire HD.

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Whether you're disappearing into the woods for a few days, or just need to keep your coffee warm during a long commute, do yourself a favor and peruse Amazon's Gold Box today and pick out a new Thermos or two.

Several Thermos Products On Sale

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If you own a phone, tablet, or laptop, there's a really good chance that Griffin makes cases and accessories for it. Today only, they're offering 20% off sitewide with promo code GRIFFIN20.

Pictured Above:

20% Off Sitewide at Griffin | Promo code GRIFFIN20

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Walmart has the Xbox One Titanfall Bundle for $450, and Best Buy has price-matched. That's a $50 price drop, and an even further cry from the original $500 package that wasn't bundled with a game. Seeing this kind of discount from a mainstream retailer like Walmart is something worth talking about, and something worth buying if you're interested at all in the console or the game. [Walmart or Best Buy]

Titanfall Xbox One Bundle | $450 | Also at Best Buy

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Today on Amazon, you can take $20 off a Kindle or Kindle Paperwhite, bringing prices down to just $49 and $99, respectively.

Note: You don't have to trade in an old e-reader to get the discount. It's available to everyone. Just hit the "Claim Your Discount" button, then add the Kindle of your choice to your cart. The discount will be applied at checkout.

$20 off Kindle and Kindle Paperwhite

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Chuck your drawer full of old, slow flash drives and upgrade to USB 3.0 on the cheap today, courtesy of Staples and Amazon.

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If you haven't yet tried automating part of your routine shopping with Amazon Subscribe & Save, they're offering 30% off your first subscription, if you're a Prime subscriber. There are over 100 eligible items available, and you can always cancel before the item ships a second time, so this is a great chance to save a few bucks on household goods.

30% off Your First Subscribe & Save Purchase | Prime Customers Only

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Thse Klipsch Image A5i headphones are great for exercise, and normally go for around $70 on Amazon.

Klipsch Image A5i All Sport In-Ear Headphones | $45

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What's The Best Gaming Chair For Your Desk?

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Follow us for the best deals on the internet, curated for @lifehacker readers.

— Lifehacker Deals (@LifehackerDeals) December 10, 2013

Get in touch with me on Twitter or by emailing shep@gawker.

— Shep McAllister (@shepmcallister) December 10, 2013

This post is brought to you by the Commerce Team, a dedicated group of deal hunters and product enthusiasts. We operate independently of Editorial to bring you the best bargains every day, share our favorite products with you, and ask you about yours. When you buy something we recommend, we may also get a small share of the sale. We welcome your questions and want your feedback.

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This content is brought to you by the Commerce Team, the same group of writers and product enthusiasts that put together your daily deal roundups:… Read…

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Gmail gets further encryption to protect your data from the NSA

Kris Carlon 2014-03-21T08:30:53Z1 day ago

Kris Carlon

Putting down roots in Berlin after six years of traveling is a major step for Kris Carlon, who has spent more time living out of a tent lately than sitting at a desk. Kris comes to the AndroidPIT Editorial Team via a lengthy period spent writing on art and culture in Australia and other places he has lived. He joined the Android community while resurfacing in civilization back in 2010 and has never looked back, using technology to replace his actual presence in other people's lives ever since.

Google has implemented HTTPS encryption across its Gmail service, starting today, in a move blatantly directed at keeping the NSA out of Gmail users' private communications. HTTPS encryption has been standard at Google since 2010, but now Gmail is receiving the same level of security between Google's own data centers.

Google wants your Gmail communications to fly under the NSA radar. / © AndroidPIT/Google

One of the NSA's key strategies was intercepting communications between servers on Google's side of the fence and taking advantage of weaker protection once a message was actually received at Gmail. With this new security measure, Gmail messages, whether sent or received are encrypted all the way, even between Google's servers. This happens regardless of the device you're on or the kind of network you're connected to. As Gmail's Security Engineering Lead, Nicolas Lidzborski, states:

Today's change means that no one can listen in on your messages as they go back and forth between you and Gmail’s servers—no matter if you're using public WiFi or logging in from your computer, phone or tablet. In addition, every single email message you send or receive—100% of them—is encrypted while moving internally. This ensures that your messages are safe not only when they move between you and Gmail's servers, but also as they move between Google's data centers—something we made a top priority after last summer’s revelations.

Are you happy to know Google is taking additional steps? How secure do you think your emails are?

Via: The Verge Source: Gmail Blog

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