Iran-linked hackers pose as journalists I Vodafone to remove Huawei from core European networks I Iowa Caucuses App Could Have Been Hacked
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Iran-linked hackers are impersonating well-known international correspondents to spy on their targets. Reuters
Vodafone is to remove Huawei equipment from the sensitive, core parts of its mobile networks across Europe at a cost of €200m (£169m) over the next five years. The Guardian
A glitch in the smartphone app used to count and report votes from individual precincts continues to delay results from Monday’s Iowa caucuses. But a closer look shows that the app had a potentially graver problem that apparently did not come into play: its vulnerability to hacking. Electionland
ASPI ICPC
Australia's next cybersecurity strategy: Views from The Strategist
The Strategist
Back in 2016, Australia launched a new national cybersecurity strategy. The strategy covers a four-year period to 2020, and given the changes in the security environment, an update is now clearly warranted. To that end, the government has released a discussion paper in 2019 to kick off the public consultation. To complement the public submission process, ASPI’s International Cyber Policy Centre initiated a public debate on what should be included in the next cybersecurity strategy. This Strategic Insight includes views from The Strategist published in late 2019.
iPhone production threatened by China virus
Financial Times
This piece from Simeon Gilding published on the website Australian Strategic Policy Institute has been widely praised. The former head of the Australian Signals Directorate’s signals, intelligence and offensive cyber missions comes in from the cold to describe in detail why Huawei should be regarded as a threat to national security.
Cyberspies, 5G and Iran: Is the US case against Huawei crumbling?
Nikkei Asian Review
@ZhouMarrian
"As things are evolving, the kinds of [communications] that will be carried on 5G will be more safety-critical, so the network itself, and the reliability and security of the network will become more important," says Tom Uren, senior analyst in the Australian Strategic Policy Institute's International Cyber Policy Center. "That's one factor that makes you think more about who's building it."
The World
Huawei plays star role in new China-Russia AI partnership
Nikkei Asian Review
As Huawei Technologies scrambled to cope with U.S. sanctions in 2019, the Chinese telecom equipment maker was feeling nothing but love from Russia. Indeed, mutual suspicion of the U.S. and shared concerns about being frozen out of advanced technology have brought China and Russia closer together. Now, the Kremlin has declared 2020 the year of Russian-Chinese scientific, technical and innovation cooperation.
Australia
Workers putting businesses at risk of cyber attack
@Gallo_Ways
A senior analyst at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute's International Cyber Policy Centre, Tom Uren, said the Australian government - through the Australian Cyber Security Centre, Scamwatch, the ACC and other organisations - should be doing more to help businesses defend against cyber attacks. "They should produce clear working guides or 'recipes' about how to do simple things that will make businesses' security more robust for a range of scenarios," he said. “ACSC have some resources for individuals, but they need more reach and ones targeted at small to medium businesses. There have been many many cybersecurity incidents that have affected Australians, and many businesses are only slowly adapting. Toll is only the latest."
China
China Marshals Its Surveillance Powers Against Coronavirus
Washington Street Journal
@Liz_in_Shanghai
In January, a person infected with the dangerous new Wuhan coronavirus used public transportation to crisscross the eastern Chinese city of Nanjing, potentially exposing those along the way to the highly contagious pathogen. Using the country’s pervasive digital-surveillance apparatus, authorities were able to track-down to the minute-the sick person’s exact journey through the city’s subway system.
China’s smartphone giants sending smaller contingent to world’s biggest mobile show amid coronavirus crisis
South China Morning Post
@Zensoo
China’s major smartphone companies have adjusted their preparations in Spain for the world’s biggest mobile exhibition, sending staff weeks ahead of the event, as concerns rise that further restrictions might be imposed on mainland Chinese travellers because of the coronavirus outbreak.
US
The Iowa Caucuses App Had Another Problem: It Could Have Been Hacked
Electionland
A glitch in the smartphone app used to count and report votes from individual precincts continues to delay results from Monday’s Iowa caucuses. But a closer look shows that the app had a potentially graver problem that apparently did not come into play: its vulnerability to hacking.
Here’s the Shadow Inc. App That Failed in Iowa Last Night
Motherboard
@jason_koebler @emanuelmaiberg
Jonathan Green said that everything was going well until he had to use the IowaReporterApp. Green, like many other precinct chairs, faced problems reporting the results of the caucus to Iowa's Democratic Party using the app.
East Asia
Anonymous creates pro-Taiwan page inside UN website
Taiwan News
@keverington
The decentralized international hacktivist group Anonymous has apparently hacked into a United Nations (UN) website and created a page that supports Taiwan, a country which was removed from the organization in favor of Communist China in 1971.
YouTube has seen soaring growth in South Korea
Tech Crunch
@dannycrichton
According to the latest data from Wiseapp, an app usage and retail revenue data service for the Korean market which is sort of a fusion of App Annie and Second Measure, YouTube has seen dizzying growth over the past few years, particularly among older, non-millennial users. Based on data from Android users, YouTube has seen consistent increases in unique users in the market, almost to a point of saturation.
Southeast Asia
Myanmar reimposes internet shutdown in conflict-torn Rakhine, Chin states: telco operator
Reuters
@thuttag @sam_aungmoon
Myanmar has reimposed an internet shutdown in two conflict-torn western states, after partially lifting the blackout five months ago. Norwegian mobile operator Telenor Group said in a statement the transport and communications ministry had ordered mobile internet traffic to be stopped again in five townships in Rakhine and Chin states for three months.
Chinese military officials made secret visit to Cambodia weeks before mysterious drone crashed
ABC News
@Liam_Cochrane
Leaked documents obtained by the ABC reveal a high-level delegation of Chinese military mapping experts visited a Cambodian naval base weeks before a drone crashed in neighbouring province.
Europe
Welfare surveillance system violates human rights, Dutch court rules
The Guardian
@jonhenley @Robert_Booth
A Dutch court has ordered the immediate halt of an automated surveillance system for detecting welfare fraud because it violates human rights, in a judgment likely to resonate well beyond the Netherlands.
Vodafone to remove Huawei from core European networks
The Guardian
@marksweney
Vodafone is to remove Huawei equipment from the sensitive, core parts of its mobile networks across Europe at a cost of €200m (£169m) over the next five years
Middle East
Exclusive: Iran-linked hackers pose as journalists in email scam
Reuters
Iran-linked hackers are impersonating well-known international correspondents to spy on their targets.
Africa
Morocco: Crackdown on Social Media Critics
Human Rights Watch
Moroccan authorities have since September 2019 arrested and prosecuted at least 10 activists, artists, or other citizens who did nothing but peacefully express critical opinions via Facebook posts, YouTube videos, or rap songs
Misc
Epoch Times, Punished by Facebook, Gets a New Megaphone on YouTube
The New York Times
@kevinroose
The Epoch Times, the pro-Falun Gong publication that got banned from advertising on Facebook last year. Since the ban, it has shifted its budget over to YouTube, and became a major advertiser on the platform.
WhatsApp desktop security flaw gave intruders remote access to files
Engadget
@jonfingas
You'll want to update WhatsApp's desktop client if you use it to chat on your computer. PerimeterX researcher Gal Weizman has revealed that Facebook patched a security vulnerability in WhatsApp's Mac and Windows versions that let attackers insert JavaScript into messages and remotely access files.
Teens have figured out how to mess with Instagram's tracking algorithm
CNET
@alfredwkng
These teenagers are relying on a sophisticated network of trusted Instagram users to post content from multiple different devices, from multiple different locations. If you wanted to confuse Instagram, here's how.
CEO Of Creepy Face Recognition Firm Clearview AI Says He Has First Amendment Right To Billions Of Photos
GIZMODO
Hoan Ton-That, the CEO and founder of a face recognition company that he freely admits could help lead to a surveillance “nightmare” and a “dystopian future or something,” says he has a First Amendment right to scrape whatever images he damn well pleases off public websites like Twitter to pad out his company’s supposedly three billion photo database.
Jobs
Researcher - Science & Technology
UNIDIR’s Security and Technology Programme (SecTec) is seeking a Researcher to work on new research and other activities to contribute to building knowledge and awareness on the international security implications and risks of specific technological innovations, in particular artificial intelligence and increasing autonomy in weapon systems, and convene stakeholders to explore ideas and develop new thinking on ways to address them. Read the full job description & apply by 14 Feb 2020
ASPI’s International Cyber Policy Centre has an outstanding opportunity for a talented and passionate technically-focused analyst to join its growing centre. We are looking for a creative and passionate individual who can contribute unique technical skills to work across a range of projects in the centre. This individual may possess skills and experience in one or more of the following areas including malware analysis, reverse-engineering, data analysis and web scraping (for work on online disinformation for example) and/or a deep technical knowledge of critical technologies. The successful candidate will be offered a remuneration package at a level aligned with their demonstrated skills and expertise. This is a contract position for an initial 1 year term with the option of extension. At any one time ASPI has multiple people working at the institute who are on secondments or unpaid leave from the Australian Public Service (APS). Similar arrangements - including secondments - can be negotiated in this instance pending approval from the APS department/agency.
Researcher – Cyber, Technology, Asia-Pacific
ASPI’s International Cyber Policy Centre has an outstanding opportunity for an emerging researcher to join its growing centre and work directly with the ICPC Director. Staff in the centre have diverse backgrounds and are usually involved in several projects at once. We are looking for a team member with a flexible, entrepreneurial approach, who is a self-starter, has the ability to deliver to deadlines and enjoys working in a collaborative team environment. Foreign languages (particularly Asian languages) and social media analysis skills are desirable but not essential. We are looking for a creative and passionate individual who can work collaboratively in a team environment to support the centre’s program of work. This will include working with a variety of centre staff to conduct research on a range of priority projects, on project coordination and administration, working to facilitate international fellowships, supporting public and private events and engaging with key stakeholders.
Policy Advisor (Electorate Officer)
Tim Watts MP
I'm now accepting applications for a Policy Advisor based in my Footscray electorate office (6kms from the Melbourne CBD).