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HTC scrambles to release privacy fix for smartphones

Following the discovery of a privacy flaw in its smartphones, HTC will imminently release a fix to combat potential threats from malicious third-party software. The Taiwanese smartphone manufacturer identified problems with several smartphone models relating to user’s GPS location, email accounts, SMS data and call logs. Such data could be accessed by net-enabled apps, posing a significant security risk to the personal information of certain HTC users. “HTC is working very diligently to quickly release a security update that will resolve the issue on affected devices,” a spokesperson told the BBC . Once a fix is created, those vulnerable to malicious attacks can download the fix over WiFi or 3G connections. Models potentially at risk include the EVO 3D, EVO 4G, Thunderbolt and the Sensation range, though exact details have not been confirmed by HTC. The flaw was made public by blogger Artem Russakovskii , who identified the threat

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HTC scrambles to release privacy fix for smartphones

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Websense aids Facebook in tackling phishing scams

Facebook has joined forces with online security firm Websense, and plans to make the social networking site a safer place for its users. The partnership hopes to implement greater measures to protect users from phishing and malware scammers, who could attempt to extract potentially valuable information such as passwords or bank details from users. Due to the high number of people using the site, Facebook is a prime target for this type of criminal activity, as Websense’s Spencer Parker told the BBC : “As a piece of real estate, it’s extremely profitable to be targeted by malware writers.” Many of Facebook’s 700 million+ users have fallen afoul of such tricksters, clicking unwittingly on a harmful link that appears to be posted by one of their friends. Parker said this type of phishing scam is more prevalent on Facebook due to the sense of trust involved. “One of the things with Facebook, of course, is that you have that element of trust in a social network. If one of your friends posts something, you automatically trust it more than if it just received as a spam email.” At the moment, Facebook informs a user if they are about to visit an external site, but as of next week, new technology provided by Websense will enable the warning to differentiate between a malicious website and a safe one. If a threat is detected, users will be given the option to return to the previous page. These efforts may also be a goodwill gesture towards users unhappy with recent changes to Facebook , attempting to bring them back on side. Digg | delicious | Reddit | Google | Twitter | Sphinn | StumbleUpon | YahooBuzz | Facebook | Mixx | Contact bigmouthmedia

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Websense aids Facebook in tackling phishing scams

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Google Chromezone opens in London

Google has opened its first retail store inside PC World on London’s Tottenham Court Road, hot on the heels of news that its popular browser has increased its market share. The 285-square-foot pop-up promotes Google’s Chromebook – a laptop made by Samsung and Acer optimised for web use – and has trained staff on hand to help people become more familiar with the cloud-based netbook. This is the first time Google has ever broached this traditional method of retail. Google said in a statement: “The Chrome Zone is designed to be as open, colourful and user-friendly as possible, and there are seating areas for shoppers to enable them to try out Chromebooks in comfort.” However, unlike the shops of its rival Apple, the store opened to relatively little fanfare. Arvind Desikan – head of consumer marketing at Google UK – told the Evening Standard : “It is our first foray into physical retail. This is a new channel for us and it’s still very, very early days. It’s something Google is going to play with and see where it leads.” “We found anecdotally that when people tried the device and played with it, that made a huge difference to their understanding of what the Chromebook is all about. “People will be able to go in and have a play with the devices. We want to see whether people understand what this device is all about and monitor their reaction when they try it out.” The news comes as Google Chrome – the browser optimised in the Chromebook and promoted in Chromezone – increased its market share to above 20 per cent, on track to surpass No 2 browser Firefox in early 2012, according to ZDNet

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Google Chromezone opens in London