Communications of the ACM
An edited collection of advanced computing news from Communications of the ACM, ACM TechNews, other ACM resources, and news sites around the Web.
From ACM TechNews
Research Finds Security Flaws in Apps for Popular Smart Home Devices
Researchers discovered "critical cryptographic flaws" in the smartphone companion apps of 16 popular smart home devices.
From ACM TechNews
States at Disadvantage in Race to Recruit Cybersecurity Pros
U.S. states face a shortage of cybersecurity professionals and lack the deep pockets to compete with federal, global, and specialized cybersecurity companies.
From ACM TechNews
Federal Agencies Warn Companies to Be on Guard Against Prolific Ransomware Strain
U.S. federal agencies issued a joint alert warning companies to be on guard against the Conti ransomware variant.
From ACM News
2021 has Broken the Record for Zero-Day Hacking Attacks
The reasons why are complicated—and not all bad news.
From ACM News
Dialing the Trust Level Down to Zero
With cybersecurity under increasing attacks, experts say we should move to the Zero Trust Architecture.
From ACM News
Biden Administration Combating Ransomware with Crackdown on Cryptocurrency Payments
Cybersecurity experts see exchanges as a weak point for ransomware gangs that otherwise operate wholly in on the Internet, all but untouchable by law enforcement...
From ACM TechNews
The Problem with 'Complex' Passwords
University of Strathclyde in Scotland's Karen Renaud said requiring complex passwords to deter hackers has the unintended effect of making the process too difficult...
From ACM News
Counterfeit, Substandard Chips are Penetrating the Supply Chain, Industry Insiders Warn
Many electronic manufacturers are turning to risky supply channels to meet demand.
From ACM News
Urgent Action Needed over AI Risks to Human Rights
States should place moratoriums on the sale and use of artificial intelligence systems until adequate safeguards are put in place, said U.N. human rights chief...
From ACM TechNews
Smart Reporting Tool Could Combat Fake News on Encrypted Chat Apps
Researchers at George Washington University say they have built a tool that would allow users to expose fake news without endangering their privacy. The Fuzzy Anonymous...
From ACM News
The Battle for Digital Privacy Is Reshaping the Internet
As Apple and Google enact privacy changes, businesses are grappling with the fallout, Madison Avenue is fighting back and Facebook has cried foul.
From ACM TechNews
Why Hackers Love Smart Buildings
Internet-connected devices and systems are making buildings more efficient but also vulnerable to cyberattacks.
From ACM News
UN Human Rights Commissioner Urges Moratorium on AI System Sale, Use
Says artificial intelligence risks to privacy and other rights demand urgent action
From ACM TechNews
Italy Data Authority Asks Facebook for Clarifications on Smart Glasses
Italian data protection authority Garante has asked Facebook to provide it with clarifications related to its newly launched smart glasses, to determine their compliance...
From ACM TechNews
Apple Issues Emergency Security Updates to Close Spyware Flaw
Apple released emergency security patches after researchers in Canada found a flaw that allows spyware from Israel's NSO Group to infect any Apple product.
From ACM TechNews
AI Can Detect Deepfake Face Because Its Pupils Have Jagged Edges
A computer model developed by researchers at New York’s University of Albany can determine whether an image of a face is a deepfake by examining its pupils.
From ACM TechNews
The Latest Cybersecurity Threat: Pay Us or We Release the Data
A new type of ransomware attack involves cybercriminals stealing sensitive data and threatening to publish it online if the victim does not pay a hefty ransom. ...
From ACM News
Apple Issues Emergency Security Updates to Close a Spyware Flaw
Researchers at Citizen Lab found that NSO Group, an Israeli spyware company, had infected Apple products without so much as a click.
From ACM TechNews