Several hacktivist capers surfaced in Europe over the weekend: Amazon UK customers' personal information was exposed, Anonymous hacked the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, and Facebook shuttered the Albania Pirate Group for sharing stolen passwords.
China restored access to Google over the weekend, but "leadership transition" censorship persists. Twitter's password reset was prompted by a confirmed (but still unattributed) attack. Symantec warns of PC hijacking and extortion; it also warns Hindus to beware of online scams as Diwali approaches. Kaspersky cites outdated web browsers as a significant vulnerability. As Windows 8 rolls out, vulnerabilities in older versions continue to plague users.
Recall last week's report that Stuxnet infected Chevron? Apparently the malware identified the oil company as an "innocent target," withheld its payload, and supinely consented to removal, which makes Stuxnet sound like a pretty discriminating cyber weapon.
Tablets appear to be cannibalizing the PC market (and an Indian entrepreneur may have a genuinely disruptive new tablet). The US Navy's Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command awards fourteen small businesses contracts for what Defense News calls an "effort to attack enemy networks." Lockheed Martin dismisses its incoming CEO before he takes office. SafeNet will sell its government business to an undisclosed buyer. CSC expands its Australian business.
Tech reporters swoon over futuristic DARPA cyber and predictive programs.
US Director of Central Intelligence David Petraeus' resignation Friday was prompted by FBI detection and investigation of compromising emails. Canadian authorities fear that country's evolution into a source of cyber attacks.