biometric security Archives

AppWizard

February 11, 2025

This app lets you use Samsung’s tracker tags with any Android phone

A new application named uTag allows the integration of Samsung SmartTags with any Android device. The app is free but requires a modified version of Samsung’s SmartThings app to function. uTag enables users to set up a new Galaxy SmartTag2, view its location in real-time, ring the tag, customize its ringtone, and alter button behavior. It provides notifications for unknown SmartTags, alerts when a tag is found or left behind, and allows sharing tags with family members. The app supports precision finding on devices with ultra-wideband (UWB) technology and includes features like widgets for tag locations, offline location viewing, biometric security options, and location history exporting. Users can contribute to the location data of nearby SmartTags. To use uTag, users must install a patched version of the SmartThings app, which the uTag app facilitates during setup. Users need to log into their Samsung account twice. The developer has made uTag open source for verification of its legitimacy. Initial user experiences have been positive, and the app is available for download on GitHub, compatible with Android devices running version 11 or later. Root access is not required, but rooted devices can use an Xposed module for live-patching the SmartThings app.

Winsage

December 13, 2024

Microsoft Recall caught capturing credit card and Social Security numbers despite reassurances it won’t

Microsoft's Windows Recall feature, designed to take comprehensive screenshots of users' PCs for future reference, has faced skepticism due to security concerns. After delays, it became available to Windows Insiders, but testing revealed its filtering capabilities were inadequate, failing to protect sensitive information like credit card numbers and Social Security details. Microsoft has since updated Recall to detect and not store sensitive information, encouraging user feedback for improvements. Recall functions by taking periodic snapshots of the screen for indexing, but it previously lacked encryption and was stored in plain text. The updated version is now opt-in, encrypts data, and requires biometric authentication and passwords for access, although vulnerabilities remain.

AppWizard

November 8, 2024

Godfather Is A Risk To Android Users Worldwide As 500 Apps Targeted

A new variant of the Godfather banking trojan is targeting over 500 Android banking and cryptocurrency applications globally. Initially focused in the U.S., U.K., and Europe, its reach has expanded to countries including Azerbaijan, Greece, Japan, and Singapore. The malware has transitioned from Java to native code, enhancing its ability to exploit Android’s accessibility services and mimic user actions through gesture automation commands. It employs social engineering tactics, such as a fraudulent website posing as the official MyGov site of the Australian Government, to distribute malicious files. Once installed, the malware communicates with a control server, collects device information, and replaces legitimate banking applications with phishing pages to steal credentials. The Godfather malware has become more difficult to analyze and poses a significant threat to users worldwide.

AppWizard

October 31, 2024

This app helped me track my monthly subscriptions, but it’s no silver bullet

SubX is a subscription tracker app for Android that features an extensive database of subscriptions, allowing users to easily add services tailored to their region. It notifies users of price increases and provides historical pricing data, helping users stay informed about their financial commitments. The app displays total subscription expenses prominently on the home page, alongside income figures if provided. However, SubX requires a one-time payment to unlock additional features and has a free version limit of four entries. The user interface can feel cluttered, though users can hide unnecessary elements. Alternatives to SubX include Tilla, which has a more user-friendly interface but fewer advanced features, Recurring Expense Tracker, which offers a clean design and biometric security, and Subscriptions, which has shifted to a subscription model.

Winsage

October 9, 2024

Microsoft just made passkeys even easier to use in Windows 11

Microsoft has addressed hundreds of security vulnerabilities in its software and services this year. The company is promoting biometric security through Windows Hello and has enabled passkeys for consumer accounts. Windows 11 will support third-party passkeys, with updates to the Windows 11 API to facilitate this integration. Collaborations with password management services like 1Password and Bitwarden are in progress. Microsoft has also improved the Windows Hello experience, providing prompts for users on websites that support passkeys. An upcoming Authenticate conference is scheduled for October 14 to 16, where further security developments are anticipated.

Winsage

October 9, 2024

10 Windows 11 security settings to keep your PC safe

Windows 11 includes several built-in security features designed to protect users from threats: - Microsoft Defender: A built-in antivirus program that provides real-time protection against threats and can perform various types of system scans. - Firewall & Network Protection: Monitors incoming and outgoing traffic to prevent unauthorized access, customizable for specific applications. - App & Browser Control: Utilizes SmartScreen to check URLs and downloads against a database of known threats, blocking harmful installations. - Core Isolation: Adds protection for sensitive processes using virtualization-based security features like Memory integrity. - Ransomware Protection: Shields files and folders from unauthorized access and provides recovery options through Controlled folder access. - BitLocker Encryption: An encryption tool available on Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions that secures hard disk data. - Secure Boot: A BIOS-level feature that ensures Windows boots only with trusted software, preventing boot process hijacking. - Dynamic Lock: Automatically locks the device when a paired Bluetooth-enabled device goes out of range. - Windows Hello: Allows biometric authentication for logging in using facial recognition, fingerprints, or a PIN. - User Account Control (UAC): Prompts for confirmation when actions requiring administrator-level permission are initiated, helping to prevent unauthorized changes.

Winsage

October 5, 2024

Why you should be using Windows Hello to secure your PC

Windows Hello is a biometric authentication system for Windows PCs that allows users to log in using facial recognition or fingerprint scanning, eliminating the need for traditional passwords. It stores biometric data locally on the device, enhancing security by preventing access to Microsoft accounts. The system relies on the Trusted Platform Module (TPM) hardware for managing authentication and encrypting data. Windows Hello uses infrared cameras for facial recognition to ensure it responds to live individuals. Users can choose between facial recognition and fingerprint scanning based on personal preference. Setting up Windows Hello can be done during initial sign-in or later through the Settings app. Users can enhance biometric recognition by adjusting settings for different lighting conditions or adding multiple fingerprints. To add Windows Hello to PCs lacking compatible hardware, users can invest in a Windows Hello-compatible webcam or USB fingerprint scanner.

AppWizard

August 16, 2024

Biometric security use up for myGov app; Aussie TEx messaging ramps up | Biometric Update

Australia's Minister for Government Services and the NDIS, Bill Shorten, announced that the myGov app has reached 5.6 million users and accounted for over 122 million sign-ins in the past 18 months, with more than one-third of daily sign-ins utilizing the app. The myGov app now includes biometric security features and passkeys for secure logins. Since December 2022, over 1.5 million digital items have been added to the myGov wallet. The national digital trust exchange (TEx) is currently in proof-of-concept and aims to streamline identity verification for services like banking. Major companies, including Google and Telstra, are consulting on TEx’s development. The introduction of TEx has replaced previous plans to integrate mobile driver’s licenses into myGov. The TEx initiative is part of the Albanese government's digital ID strategy, which includes myGovID used by over 10 million Australians. Critics have called for more public consultation and have raised concerns about public trust due to past government technology failures, such as the Robodebt scandal.

AppWizard

June 24, 2024

How Android’s security features safeguard your mobile app experience

Android's app permissions system gives users control over what personal information and device functions each app can access. Users are prompted to agree to requests for access to features like GPS or storage. Android also offers one-time permissions and auto-reset features for additional control. Google Play Protect scans apps on the Play Store for malware. Android devices have biometric security features like fingerprint scanning, facial recognition, and iris scanning. Sandboxing isolates each app's processes to contain potential damage from malicious software.

Winsage

June 18, 2024

Best Copilot+ PC in 2024

- Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x is a convertible Copilot+ PC with a bright OLED display.