Review: Kensington BungeeAir Power Wireless Security Tether for iPhone

One of the best things about the iPhone 4 is that it packs a lot of power into a small handset. The problem with this is that the smaller a device is, the easier it is to lose. Also the more information we store on the smartphone - such as emails and website login details - the more damaging the loss of the iPhone will be.

Kensington has come up with a rather clever method of securing your iPhone 4. Taking its cues from remote car locking systems, the Kensington BungeeAir Power Wireless Security Tether for iPhone comes with a special iPhone 4 case and key fob.

From a distance, you can click to lock the phone remotely. Even better, once you've moved the key fob a certain distance away from the iPhone, an alarm will sound, so you'll be reminded if you've left the phone behind.

It works rather well, using wireless 2.4GHz technology, and through the BungeeAir app you can control the distance and other security features. If someone tries to remove the case from the iPhone, the alarm will sound as well, alerting you if your phone is being tampered with.

You can also use the key fob to set the phone to ring so you can quickly find it. A great feature is that this works both ways, so if you've lost your keys you can use the iPhone to 'ring' the key fob, helping you locate them.

Another nice feature is that the case not only provides security, it can also be charged to provide around three hours of extra battery life.

Verdict

If you're the forgetful type, you might find the Kensington BungeeAir Power Wireless Security Tether for iPhone a very handy piece of kit indeed.

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GFI announces Vipre 2012 security suite

GFI has launched the latest version of its Vipre Internet Security suite in the UK.

The software uses a proprietary technology stack to protect against the latest malware issues and GFI claims it has a minimal impact on PC performance.

The new software has a streamlined installation process, as well as a refined detection technology to scan PCs quicker. In case of a major problem, the software also enables Vipre technicians to take control of PCs to solve problems more quickly.

This version of the software also introduces spam filtering technology and a smarter firewall.

"Much of the security industry ignores the fact that their products are the cause of so much frustration among PC users," said Mark Patton, general manager of the GFI software security unit.

"Vipre antivirus is 100% focused on providing users with best-in-class malware protection while conserving the speed and performance of their PCs.

Vipre also protects against email-borne viruses, supporting all desktop email clients using POP3 or SMTP, including Outlook. It is certified by AV-TEST, ICSA, Virus Bulletin (VB100) and West Coast Labs.

As well as Vipre Internet Security 2012, an alternative Antivirus 2012 suite is also available.

A one-time license purchase is good for the entire life of the PC on which it is first installed. Pricing for a single PC starts at £69.99 for Vipre Internet Security 2012. An annual purchase license for up to 10 PCs costs £40.

A single user license is £20 for Vipre Antivirus 2012 and £30 for Vipre Internet Security 2012.

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Siri security flaw uncovered

The default setting for Apple's new Siri personal assistant app for iPhone 4S allows much of the handset's functionality to be used even when the phone is locked.

The security worry means that anyone can pick up your iPhone and dictate texts, emails, make calls and have Siri list calendar appointments, while the 4S is passcode locked.

Siri - the little harlot - will also tell anyone details and addresses from your contacts book, but it can't open apps without unlocking the phone.

Dirty default

It's easy enough to atone for Siri's promiscuous behavior though, as you can turn her off in the Passcode Lock settings menu, but many users may not even realise that this is an issue.

Voice Control on previous iPhone models also allowed limited actions with the device in lock mode, but the sheer range of functionality on offer here is quite worrying.

Although it's easy to switch Siri off with the phone locked, it's somewhat surprising that Apple chose this as the default mode.

Graham Cluley of security giant Sophos blogged: "What's disappointing to me though is that Apple had a clear choice here.

"They could have chosen to implement Siri securely, but instead they decided to default to a mode which is more about impressing your buddies than securing your calendar and email system."

Via: CNET

Updated: HTC phones revealed to have security flaw leaking users' info

Your trusty HTC phone may be giving all your internet-connected apps access to your private data, including text messages, location information, system logs and address book details, according to researchers.

Artem Russakovskii, Justin Case and Trevor Eckhart claim to have found the serious hole present on the HTC Evo 3D and HTC Thunderbolt, among other HTC handsets.

Update: HTC has sent TechRadar the following statement on the matter, promising to look into it post haste:

"HTC takes our customers' security very seriously, and we are working to investigate this claim as quickly as possible. We will provide an update as soon as we're able to determine the accuracy of the claim and what steps, if any, need to be taken."

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It seems that on these handsets, any web-connected app can currently make a single android.permission.INTERNET request and gain access to a wealth of user information.

Laid bare

The 3.5MB log file exposes details like CPU info, file system logs, a list of installed apps and permissions, battery info and status as well as the location data, address book access and text message details.

It's all down to a logging script which HTC introduced in recent software updates; because we like HTC, we're inclined to say that the script was originally intended to collect data in order to make handset trouble-shooting easier rather than an intention to spy on its users or sell this data on.

But the sheer amount of personal data that's there for the taking by any old app developer adds up to pretty scary stuff – the ball's in HTC's court now, we look forward to seeing what action the company takes.