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Why it's important to install updates on your device

<p>Ever wondered if installing updates is worth the bother? Here's what you need to know.</p> <p>Whether you use an iPad, tablet, laptop or desktop computer, you have probably been prompted at one point to update your device. While these pop-up boxes may look like the spam you see on websites, they’re far from it.</p> <p>The device you use will have an operating system built into it, so iPads or Mac laptops will operate on Apple’s iOS system while tablets and laptops not made by Apple will run on Windows. Whichever system your device uses, it will eventually need an update. While it can be easy to dismiss the update notifications when they pop up on your screen, here’s why you shouldn’t.</p> <p><strong>What’s the point?</strong> <br />When a software program is developed, it is put through tests and quality checks and only once that has been satisfied is it released to the general public. However, once the software is out there in the world, and being used in real-life environments, it can come across little issues which get reported back to the developer. These companies then fix the issues and release the solutions as software updates.</p> <p>For electronic devices, especially laptops and desktop computers, security issues can be a big problem. Software updates include security solutions to malware or hackers, as well as fixes to bugs and any other issues that have occurred since the software was released.</p> <p><strong>Is it different to an upgrade?</strong><br />While they may sound similar, a software update and an upgrade provide two different functions. An update will install a current version of your software to your device, so basically updating your existing version of iOS or Windows. On the other side of the coin is an upgrade, which allows you to upgrade a program to its next major version. Generally, there will be a cost for a software upgrade.</p> <p><strong>How do I get updates?</strong><br />If your device is connected to the internet and it detects an update is available, it will prompt you with a notification message. This will alert you to the fact that an update is available and advise you of the next steps to step, such as clicking on a button on the notification message which will start the process for you.</p> <p>In System Settings on Apple devices and Control Panel for Windows devices, there’s an option where you can turn on automatic updating. This can provide significant benefits, such as improved security and reliability.</p> <p>Ultimately, software updates exist for a reason. While they may take a little while to download and install on your device, they are worth it. So, the next time that grey box pops up on your screen saying there’s an update available, click on it. It’ll keep your tablet or laptop secure and up-to-date with your software’s latest features.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images </em></p>

Technology

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Software engineer EASILY hacks airline website to find lost luggage

<p dir="ltr">A software engineer has shared just how easy it was – scarily so – for him to hack an airline’s system.</p> <p dir="ltr">Nandan Kumar was on a domestic flight on Indian airline IndiGo and revealed that he and a passenger had mistakenly taken each other’s bags. </p> <p dir="ltr">He tried calling IndiGo multiple times and was unsuccessful, so decided to put his skills to use and find whoever took his bag.</p> <p dir="ltr">Nandan shared the entire ordeal on Twitter, showing how easy it was to hack IndiGo’s website and find other passengers’ details. </p> <p dir="ltr">“I reached home when my wife pointed out that the bag seems to be different from ours as we don’t use key based locks in our bags,” he wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr">“So right after reaching home I called your customer care. After multiple calls and navigating through @IndiGo6Eand of course a lot of waiting I was able to connect to one of your customer care agents and they tried to connect me with the co-passenger. But all in vain. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Long story short, I couldn't get any resolution on the issue. And neither your customer care team was not ready to provide me with the contact details of the person citing privacy and data protection.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Nandan said customer service assured him they would call back in the morning but when they didn’t he knew it was time to “take the matter in my own hands”.</p> <p dir="ltr">“After all the failed attempts, my dev instinct kicked in and I pressed the F12 button on my computer keyboard and opened the developer console on the @IndiGo6E  website and started the whole checkin flow with network log record on.</p> <p dir="ltr">“And there in one of the network responses was the phone number and email of my co-passenger. </p> <p dir="ltr">“I made note of the details and decided to call the person and try to get the bags swapped.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Luckily the pair were not far from each other and agreed to meet at a central place to exchange the bags.</p> <p dir="ltr">Nandan, however, went one step further and urged IndiGo to update their website – as it was way too easy to hack! </p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Twitter</em></p>

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Australian police accused of lying about use of “ineffective” facial recognition software

<p>An <a href="https://www.buzzfeed.com/hannahryan/clearview-ai-australia-police">online tech news source</a> recently ran a story detailing a data breach at controversial facial recognition company Clearview AI, which exposed its entire client list.</p> <p>According to the report, the list includes four Australian police organisations, comprising the Queensland Police Service, Victoria Police, South Australia Police and the Australian Federal Police.</p> <p>The leaked client list suggests that police officers have used the highly inaccurate technology in an attempt to ‘identify’ around 1000 suspects in Australia – a process which has been <a href="https://www.sydneycriminallawyers.com.au/blog/queenslands-facial-recognition-regime-a-complete-failure/">proven over and over again</a> to lead to <a href="https://www.sydneycriminallawyers.com.au/blog/facial-recognition-database-could-lead-to-wrongful-arrests/">the false identification and arrest of innocent persons</a>.</p> <p>Indeed, a previous trial of facial recognition technology in Queensland was ruled a ‘<a href="https://www.sydneycriminallawyers.com.au/blog/queenslands-facial-recognition-regime-a-complete-failure/">complete failure</a>’ – with the software misidentifying people the ‘vast majority’ of cases – and a trial in the United Kingdom in 2016/17 got it wrong in 98% of cases.</p> <p>Police had previously denied using the Clearview AI software and, despite the leak, have continued to do so – with the South Australian Police Force issuing a statement which asserts that its officers have not been using it.</p> <p>Queensland has been slightly more forthcoming, saying that facial recognition technology is one of ‘many capabilities’ available to its officers.</p> <p>Victoria Police claims the software has not been used in any ‘official capacity’, which begs the question as to why police organisations would spend large amounts of taxpayer dollars on purchase and licensing.</p> <p>The AFP has remained silent.</p> <p>Clearview AI’s programme has attracted an enormous amount of controversy worldwide, being variously labelled as ‘ineffective’, ‘wasteful’, a ‘gross breach of privacy’ and a ‘honeypot for hackers’.</p> <p>The Clearview database contains billions of images amassed from sources such as Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and other public websites, and the application of the software has the potential to lead to wrongful arrests, whereby innocent persons are wrongly matched to suspected offenders.</p> <p>The reports regarding the leaked client list have heightened concerns that ill-intentioned hackers will gain access to a wealth of private information and use it to engage in criminal conduct such as <a href="https://www.sydneycriminallawyers.com.au/blog/the-rising-cost-of-identity-crime-in-australia/">identity theft</a>.</p> <p><strong>Privacy laws</strong></p> <p>Under current Australian privacy laws, biometric information, that is your face, fingerprints, eyes, palm, and voice is considered sensitive information.</p> <p>The <a href="https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2014C00076">Privacy Act 1988</a> (Cth) makes clear that any organisation or agency collecting this ‘sensitive’ information must first obtain consent to do so.</p> <p>However, there are exceptions to this general rule including where the information is “necessary” to prevent a serious threat to the life, health or safety of any individual.</p> <p>It’s an exception many believe has been exploited by law enforcement agencies, with legal commentators suggesting it is not broad enough to encompass all of the conduct that police have been engaging in.</p> <p><strong>National surveillance</strong></p> <p>Red flags were raised last year when the Federal Government announced plans to <a href="https://www.sydneycriminallawyers.com.au/blog/australias-future-is-nationwide-facial-recognition-surveillance/">create a national facial recognition database</a> by collecting photos from drivers’ licences and passports.</p> <p>The government justified the implementation of the database, by saying that it would both help to combat identity theft <a href="https://www.sydneycriminallawyers.com.au/blog/the-rising-cost-of-identity-crime-in-australia/">(which is on the rise)</a> as well as be a useful tool for protecting national security, because the database would be made available to law enforcement agencies too.</p> <p>The legislation presently before parliament allows both government agencies and private businesses to access facial IDs held by state and territory traffic authorities, and passport photos held by the foreign affairs department.</p> <p>The legislation is currently stalled because of concerns about privacy implications and lack of safeguards in the proposed law.</p> <p>But most state and territory governments have already updated their driver’s licence laws in anticipation of the database after an agreement at the Council of Australian Governments in October 2017. If you’re applying for, or renewing a passport, then you are required to sign a consent form.</p> <p><strong>Facial recognition AI is unreliable</strong></p> <p>One of the most significant concerns is that AI technology is still unreliable – the benefits don’t outweigh the massive intrusion into our personal privacy. Plus, there are inherent problems with the current technology. False positives are a major issue.</p> <p>In 2016 and 2017, London’s Metropolitan Police used automated facial recognition in trials and reported that more than 98% of cases, innocent members of the public were matched to suspected criminals.</p> <p>Despite these concerns, the Home Affairs Department is impatient to implement the technology and says that facial recognition experts (humans) will work with the technology to provide more accurate outcomes.</p> <p>But that’s of cold comfort to anyone concerned about their privacy. <a href="https://www.sydneycriminallawyers.com.au/blog/welcome-to-1984-the-governments-relentless-assault-on-democracy/">Because, as is already the case in China</a>, facial recognition can be used for mass surveillance.</p> <p>And, we’ve already seen many examples of how data breaches can occur even with appropriate legislation in place.</p> <p><strong>Data breaches in government departments</strong></p> <p>Last year, information came to light showing that <a href="https://www.sydneycriminallawyers.com.au/blog/dozens-of-breaches-of-the-my-health-record-database-have-already-been-recorded/">data breaches of the My Health Record</a> database rose from 35 to 42 in the past financial year, despite consistent claims by the federal government that the database is safe and secure, and that the privacy of those who choose not to opt out is protected.</p> <p>In 2018, the South Australian government was forced to shut down guest access to its online land titles registry, after an unidentified overseas ‘guest user’ was able to download the personal details of more than a million Australian home owners, information that could potentially be used to develop a false identity.</p> <p>Police forces and other government organisations have repeatedly failed to <a href="https://www.sydneycriminallawyers.com.au/blog/police-officers-misuse-private-information-for-personal-gain/">properly secure confidential information</a> of members of the public, and some rogue police officers have <a href="https://www.sydneycriminallawyers.com.au/blog/police-officer-jokes-about-giving-victims-address-to-abusive-partner/">broken the law by releasing sensitive information</a>, putting vulnerable individuals in danger.</p> <p>Right now, the fact that Australian police forces exist on Clearview AI’s client list, and they’re not forthcoming about it should also set alarm bells ringing for all Australians.</p> <p>The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) has launched an inquiry into whether the software is being employed in Australia, or if its database contains information on Australians. The commission’s final report will no doubt reveal all.</p> <p><em>Written by Sonia Hickey. Republished with permission of <a href="https://www.sydneycriminallawyers.com.au/blog/police-accused-of-lying-about-use-of-ineffective-facial-recognition-software/">Sydney Criminal Lawyers.</a></em></p>

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