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A security researcher says hundreds of millions of mobile phones could easily be hacked with nothing more than a specially crafted text message. The hacker could then intercept calls or use the compromised phone to make cash. Karsten Nohl says the ... problem is with SIM cards, which are used to tell a phone which account to use and the number on which to send and receive calls and messages. He says many SIM cards still use an outdated algorithm for encryption to stop other people accessing information about the account. (Source: srlabs.de ) Nohl says his testing found a major flaw with these SIM ... (view more)

The United States Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has charged 29 people suspected of sending more than 180 million spammy text messages. An FTC spokesman said he had a simple message for anyone who receives unsolicited offers through a text message: ... "Delete them, immediately. The offers are, in a word, garbage." (Source: pcmag.com ) According to the FTC, the accused sent messages falsely claiming the recipient had won a prize, such as a $1,000 gift card from a major retailer. If a recipient followed a link placed in the message, they would be asked to supply personal information -- including ... (view more)

Apple has warned iPhone users to take care when replying to SMS (Short Message Service) text messages, after a hacker released details about a fundamental security flaw in the iPhone operating system. The flaw could allow pranksters to send bogus ... messages that appear to come from someone else. It could also trick users into following dangerous links or handing personal information to criminals. The revelations come from a "white hat" hacker -- someone who looks for security flaws to pressure companies to improve, rather than to exploit them for personal gain -- who goes by the name " ... (view more)

On September 12, the west coast was rocked by the worst train accident in fifteen years. Twenty-five people died that day, with another 135 injured. Now that a few weeks have passed since the disaster, investigators are starting to piece together ... just what might have caused the tragedy. In case you missed it, on September 12 a Metrolink commuter train slammed into a Union Pacific locomotive in Chatsworth, California. Since that fateful day, the National Transportation Safety Board has desperately searched for answers that might explain the kind of event that doesn't happen very often -- ... (view more)

Were you aware that you could text message someone using MS Outlook? Well I wasn't. Shame on me! And I really do try to keep abreast of new technology. In any event, I have very little use for texting and rarely ever use it. Perhaps that is why I ... just came upon this. Many times we send emails or appointment requests to people, knowing full good and well that they are not going to be seated at the desks or anywhere in the vicinity of a computer at that particular moment. But suppose you want them to know about this information straight away? Hmmm....everyone has a cell phone with them just ... (view more)

A new mobile service scheduled to be unveiled in the coming weeks is making headlines worldwide because of its unique concept whereby customers receive free calls and text messages in by accepting advertisement banners on their mobile phones. While ... the service, Blyk, is being heralded as a revolutionary idea, the concept is actually a modernized version of an already established service. Virgin Mobile in the United States started a similar compromise last year, offering a designated amount of free calls in exchange for advertisement. But the introduction of Blyk is being regarded as an ... (view more)