Researcher paid $60K for finding Facebook bug that let hackers spy on you
Software companies aren’t the only ones discovering bugs in their products. Security researchers often poke holes in well-known systems to find weaknesses, and when they do, they can sometimes profit handsomely.
That’s what being a bug bounty hunter is all about, and it’s a career that can pay off if you know what you’re doing. Tap or click here to see how much Apple will pay you to hack an iPhone.
Facebook recently awarded one of its largest bounties ever to a researcher from Google’s Project Zero team. With this bug, hackers could have spied on users’ microphones without getting caught. We’ll show you how much she earned, as well as how you can tell if your microphone is on using your operating system.
A bug bounty bonanza
Facebook awarded security researcher Natalie Silvanovich a staggering $60,000 bounty for discovering a flaw inside Messenger’s audio calls on Android devices. The flaw was part of the app’s data management system, and if left unpatched, hackers could have used it to start audio calls without users knowing.
According to Silvanovich’s bug report, exploiting the flaw takes a matter of seconds. She reported the issue to Facebook back in October, and the company quietly patched it behind the scenes. Users don’t need to update their apps to get the fix.
After receiving the reward, Silvanovich tweeted that she would be donating it to charity rather than keeping it. It’s not every day that you see a hero willing to fight hackers and help those in need.
Facebook generously awarded a bounty of $60,000 for this bug, which I’m donating to the @GiveWell Maximum Impact Fund https://t.co/JvZt9Fw4nx
— Natalie Silvanovich (@natashenka) November 19, 2020
How can I tell if an app is using my microphone?
By default, Android won’t tell you if the camera or mic is recording. But that doesn’t mean you can’t find out for yourself.
Check out the Access Dots app for Android to get a sneak peek at whether or not apps are spying. This free app will show an icon in the upper-right corner of your phone’s screen any time the camera or microphone is used.
Privacy tip: Use this app to see when your phone's mic and camera are in use
Google released Android 11 at the beginning of September, and after testing it out so far, it looks to be a winner of an update. Unfortunately, Apple’s iOS 14 has it beat in the privacy department.
Why is iOS 14 better for privacy? It’s not that Android 11 is a slouch — but features like iOS 14’s new camera and microphone icons are making it easy to tell that apps are snooping when they shouldn’t. Tap or click here to see how these icons exposed the Instagram app.
Is someone watching you? This clever new iPhone feature will tell you
The iPhone 12 may have been delayed, but that doesn’t mean iOS 14 was. The latest version of Apple’s mobile operating system is already a major hit — with countless users sharing screenshots of their custom home screens and more.
Browser security settings you need to check now
No matter which browser you choose, you’re accessing the same internet.
That is, of course, unless you’re using Tor to trawl the Dark Web. Feeling curious about how to get there and what you’ll find? Here’s the info — use it at your own risk.
Keep your Amazon Echo from listening in with 'Alexagate' jamming device
It’s no secret that smart speakers are always listening. How else would they be able to pick up on the wake word and know when you’re asking a question? There literally is no other way.
Listening is one thing, but recording and storing conversations is something completely different. You might be shocked at how many times smart assistants like Amazon’s Alexa accidentally record your conversations, often because it “hears” the wrong wake word. Tap or click here to find out how to stop it from happening.
Virtual doctor's visits: How telemedicine works and booking your appointment
Telemedicine is pretty much what it sounds like — a medical appointment or a place to get medical advice, over the phone. But in today’s modern world of technology, it means through video chat.
Though a doctor can’t touch you through your computer, you can still get a lot out of a telemedicine appointment. Things like advice and diagnoses, and even treatment options. Tap or click here for help finding a telemedicine doctor.
How to disable your computer's webcam and microphone
If you’ve been using your computer for video chatting more than ever, you’re not alone. Many of us pulled off that strip of masking tape and allowed our cameras and microphones access once we shifted to working from home.
Tech how-to: Make phone calls from your computer
It’s tough living far from people you love, but telephones make that distance much more manageable. Unless you live very far away, then telephones can make that distance expensive.
Roaming and long-distance charges and using up tons of your allowed minutes can make phone calls really expensive. Click or tap here to learn how to make calls when you have terrible cell reception.
5 security settings to change on your smart speaker
You want all the devices in your home to be safe. For those that connect to the internet and have the ability to listen to your conversations, you need a little extra security.
We’re talking specifically about smart speakers. Tap or click here to adjust the security settings on another IoT device. Smart speakers can be incredibly useful, but also a giant liability for you and your loved ones.
Security essential: How to lock down your Mac webcam
To help protect your identity, we make it a point to share how destructive and dangerous it can be when your personal information is exposed. Alas, data breach horror stories continue to make headlines.
Websites and digital platforms aren’t the only targets for hackers. Tap or click here to learn about popular restaurant chains hit by card-stealing malware. While our data breach stories tend to revolve around well-known companies, their records are not the only data hackers seek.
Google apps will help the hard of hearing
Plenty of us struggle with hearing. You know you have that TV extra loud, but it’s the only way you can hear it. You continually ask people to repeat themselves because you missed one or two words – or all of them.
Especially in this digital age, some gadgets are just too soft or their sound too tinny to be listened to comfortably.