Learn how to protect your privacy by blocking ads online and stay updated on cybersecurity news including WiFi scams, hidden cameras in Airbnb rentals, router vulnerabilities, password security, and data breaches. Discover the evolution of privacy-preserving ad attribution and get excited about Proton's encrypted Google Docs alternative. Explore the importance of ad blocking for privacy and security with recommended tools like Ublock Origin and DNS-based solutions.
Ads on websites threaten privacy and security, necessitating effective ad-blocking tools like Ublock Origin.
Recent data breaches highlight the importance of safeguarding personal information and proper encryption practices.
Mozilla's Privacy Preserving Attribution tool in Firefox offers advertisers insights without compromising user privacy.
Utilizing DNS-based ad blockers like NextDNS enhances privacy and security across all connected devices.
Deep dives
Impact of Book Promotion for Surge
Book promotion for 'Surge' did not meet the desired milestones despite coming close to top 10 rankings in various categories. The spike in rankings occurred on Monday and Tuesday, suggesting strategic podcast promotion timing, with further attempts planned for the weekend.
Free Ticket to DEF CON 32
A free ticket to DEF CON 32 in Las Vegas, valued at $480, is being given away. The increase in ticket prices has raised speculations about unique electronic badges this year. The ticket giveaway involves a raffle due to limited attendees. Attendees are encouraged to explore added days, including BSides, for an enhanced experience.
Security Breaches: Wi-Fi Networks and Call Records
An Australian man was charged for setting up fake Wi-Fi networks during domestic flights to steal personal data. The investigation led to the seizure of wireless devices and subsequent arrests. Additionally, an AT&T data breach exposed phone and text records, raising privacy concerns.
Privacy and Ads: Firefox's Privacy Preserving Attribution
Mozilla's experimental Privacy Preserving Attribution tool in Firefox version 128 aims to revolutionize ad performance tracking without compromising individual data privacy. Offering an alternative to cross-site tracking, the tool provides advertisers insights without intrusive tracking methods. Users can choose to opt out, ensuring control over their privacy settings.
Signal's Desktop Encryption
Signal faces criticism regarding desktop encryption keys stored in plain text, potentially compromising user data security. The issue revives concerns from 2018 about encryption key storage. Signal acknowledges the challenge of securing local data from malware threats, emphasizing user choices like message expiration timers and device encryption.
Mozilla's PPA and Ad Measurement
Mozilla's Privacy Preserving Attribution tool aims to transform ad performance tracking through a privacy-centric approach in Firefox. By offering advertisers insights without individual tracking, the tool prioritizes user privacy. Users can opt out of participation through Firefox settings, ensuring control over ad measurement practices.
Tracking and Privacy Concerns in Advertising
Advertising attribution plays a critical role in connecting sellers and advertising spaces facilitated by companies like Google. Despite privacy-focused browsers like Firefox implementing measures to deter web tracking, the advertising industry constantly innovates to adapt. Mozilla, employing privacy-enhancing technologies like differential privacy, aims to aggregate and report user data without compromising individual privacy. Methods like promo codes facilitate attribution, although challenges persist with third-party interventions disrupting tracking efforts.
Effective Ad Blocking Strategies with Ublock Origin and DNS
With the prevalence of ads posing privacy and security threats, efficient ad-blocking strategies become essential. Utilizing tools like Ublock Origin in browsers allows users to combat intrusive ads effectively. Moreover, leveraging DNS-based ad blocking services such as NextDNS or Pi-hole not only enhances ad blocking beyond the browser but also extends to all connected devices like smartphones and laptops, enhancing overall privacy and security measures.
Ads on the web are beyond annoying - they are actually a threat to your privacy and sometimes even your security. Ads pay for a lot of the "free" web content we consume, but until ad networks stop tracking us and selling ad space to phishing and malware groups, we need tools to block them. Today I'll give you two solid options for doing so.
In the news: Australian man charged for WiFi scam on flights; Airbnb reveals 35,000 complaints about hidden cameras; Linksys routers expose WiFi credentials; a massive new hacker list contains 10 billion unique passwords; a new AT&T call and text records data breach; Signal gets flak for response to storing encryption keys in the clear; Mozilla launches "privacy-preserving" ad attribution system (on by default); Proton launches encrypted Google Docs competitor.
Article Links
[The Hacker News] Australian Man Charged for Fake Wi-Fi Scam on Domestic Flights https://thehackernews.com/2024/07/australian-man-charged-for-fake-wi-fi.html
[9to5Mac] 35,000 complaints about hidden cameras in Airbnb properties https://9to5mac.com/2024/07/10/hidden-cameras-in-airbnb-properties/
[stackdiary.com] Linksys Velop routers send Wi-Fi passwords in plaintext to US servers https://stackdiary.com/linksys-velop-routers-send-wi-fi-passwords-in-plaintext-to-us-servers/
[cybernews.com] RockYou2024: 10 billion passwords leaked in the largest compilation of all time https://cybernews.com/security/rockyou2024-largest-password-compilation-leak/
[TechCrunch] What the AT&T call records data breach means for you https://techcrunch.com/2024/07/12/what-the-att-call-records-data-breach-means-for-you/
[stackdiary.com] Signal under fire for storing encryption keys in plaintext https://stackdiary.com/signal-under-fire-for-storing-encryption-keys-in-plaintext/
[Mozilla] Privacy-Preserving Attribution https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/privacy-preserving-attribution
[Lifehacker] Why You Should Consider Proton Docs Over Google https://lifehacker.com/tech/why-you-should-consider-proton-docs-over-google
Tip of the Week: How & Why to Block Ads https://firewallsdontstopdragons.com/how-and-why-to-block-ads/
Further Info
Enter the DEF CON 32 ticket raffle: send email to dc24@firewallsdontstopdragons.com
Techlore NextDNS tutorial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUG57ynLb8I
Send me your questions! https://fdsd.me/qna
Check out my book, Firewalls Don’t Stop Dragons: https://fdsd.me/book
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Table of Contents
Use these timestamps to jump to a particular section of the show.
0:00:21: Book surge report
0:03:00: News rundown
0:05:06: Australian Man Charged for Fake Wi-Fi Scam on Domestic Flights
0:09:50: 35,000 complaints about hidden cameras in Airbnb properties
0:15:31: Linksys Velop routers send Wi-Fi passwords in plaintext to US servers
0:20:29: 10 billion passwords leaked in the largest compilation of all time
0:26:51: What the AT&T call records data breach means for you
0:32:37: Signal under fire for storing encryption keys in plaintext
0:47:24: Mozilla's new Privacy-Preserving Attribution
0:58:58: New: Proton Docs!
1:00:18: Tip of the Week: How & Why to Block Ads
1:12:41: Wrap up
1:13:01: Book surge report
1:15:25: DEF CON 32 ticket raffle!
1:17:48: Looking ahead
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