A recent survey by Broadband Genie reveals worrying gaps in how users secure their home routers, leaving millions vulnerable to cyberattacks. Over half of respondents admitted they have never adjusted factory settings, while a staggering 86% have never changed the default administrator password, a critical oversight that invites hackers to exploit networks.
Neglecting router security extends to Wi-Fi passwords, with 72% never updating them, and 89% failing to install firmware updates. Default network names, which can expose vulnerabilities, also remain unchanged in most households. With an average home hosting numerous connected devices, failing to monitor network activity adds to the risks.
Experts stress the importance of simple measures like changing passwords, renaming networks, and keeping firmware up to date. Educating users about the dangers of default settings is essential to combat growing cyber threats targeting connected devices.
The FBI is warning timeshare owners about a telemarketing scam linked to the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, one of Mexico’s most dangerous criminal groups. This sophisticated operation targets individuals, particularly older adults, with offers to buy their timeshares at inflated prices. Victims are tricked into paying fees for taxes, processing, or other fabricated expenses, often losing tens of thousands of dollars.
The scam employs advanced tactics, including impersonation of legitimate businesses and government agencies, as well as the use of fraudulent websites. Call centres operated by the cartel facilitate these schemes, preying on vulnerable individuals while funding broader criminal activities, including drug trafficking. The scammers often re-victimise those they have already defrauded by promising to recover losses in exchange for additional payments.
To avoid falling prey to such fraud, experts advise verifying buyers and companies, avoiding upfront fees, and consulting professionals before proceeding with transactions. Reporting suspicious activity to the authorities is critical in combating these scams and protecting others.
Google has proposed a legal alternative to a United States Department of Justice recommendation to dismantle its Chrome browser. Instead, the company suggests barring itself from using app licensing agreements to secure default software positions.
The proposal follows a landmark ruling declaring Google a monopoly. The government seeks stronger measures, including a ban on exclusive deals ensuring Google’s dominance on smartphones and other devices.
Judge Amit Mehta’s decision on antitrust remedies is expected to influence the tech industry. Google plans to appeal any adverse ruling.
Kyoto University and construction firm Kajima Corp are collaborating on a groundbreaking project to develop a lunar habitat, ‘Neo Lunar Glass,’ capable of generating artificial gravity through rotation. The structure, intended to address the harmful effects of microgravity on the human body, is designed to create Earth-like living conditions on the moon.
The habitat will be a 200-metre-wide, 400-metre-tall paraboloid structure, accommodating up to 10,000 residents. Researchers plan to construct a ground-based prototype by the 2030s, using models and simulations to refine the technology.
The project aims to revolutionise lunar colonisation and human survivability in space, with a scale model already unveiled and early simulations demonstrating artificial gravity’s feasibility.
Russia’s central bank has announced plans to develop a new platform to curb illegal financial activities, including unregulated crypto-to-fiat over-the-counter services. Collaborating with Rosfinmonitoring and financial institutions, the initiative aims to track and block suspicious transactions while preventing misuse of banking systems.
The system focuses on individuals known as ‘droppers,’ who exploit bank accounts for illicit purposes such as money laundering, drug trade, and unregulated cryptocurrency exchanges. Currently, monitoring is limited to individual banks, making it challenging to prevent offenders from opening accounts elsewhere. A centralised database is expected to improve information sharing across all financial institutions.
The Bank of Russia has stressed the need for a solution that enforces regulations without causing unnecessary harm to law-abiding citizens. While the project is still in development, no official timeline for its launch has been provided.
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has filed a lawsuit against Walmart and payroll service Branch Messenger, accusing them of forcing gig workers into unauthorised payment systems with excessive fees. The lawsuit alleges that Walmart opened direct deposit accounts for Spark delivery drivers without consent, using their social security numbers. These accounts imposed transaction fees of at least $2.99 per payment and offered no alternative payment methods, despite repeated promises of same-day payments since 2021.
CFPB Director Rohit Chopra criticised Walmart for allegedly exploiting more than a million delivery drivers, stating that companies cannot compel workers to accept payment methods that reduce their earnings. The lawsuit, filed in the United States District Court for Minnesota, seeks to hold both companies accountable for what the agency calls deceptive and abusive practices. Spark drivers had long raised concerns over being required to use Branch accounts, with Walmart allegedly threatening job termination for non-compliance.
The lawsuit highlights violations of the Consumer Financial Protection Act of 2010, asserting that these practices were unfair and abusive. The CFPB aims to secure redress for affected workers and set a precedent against such corporate behaviour.
Ireland’s burgeoning data centre industry, dominated by global tech firms like Google and Amazon, is consuming over 20% of the nation’s electricity. Rising demand has led to restrictions on new developments near Dublin until 2028, as regulators address concerns over energy use, emissions, and household electricity costs.
Efforts to expand data centres into rural areas like County Offaly promise economic opportunities but raise environmental and cultural preservation debates. Residents remain divided over renewable energy projects linked to these facilities.
As Ireland navigates energy and climate goals, questions linger about balancing technological growth with sustainability.
Apple has requested to participate in the US antitrust trial against Google, arguing it cannot trust Google to safeguard their shared revenue agreements. These agreements make Google the default search engine on Apple’s Safari browser, generating an estimated $20 billion for Apple in 2022. Despite this lucrative partnership, Apple confirmed it has no plans to develop its search engine, regardless of the trial’s outcome.
The Department of Justice’s case against Google is a pivotal effort to curb the tech giant’s dominance in online search. Prosecutors allege that Google’s practices stifle competition and may push for drastic measures such as divesting its Chrome browser or Android operating system. Apple, aiming to protect its financial interests, plans to present witnesses in the April trial.
While Google has proposed easing its default agreements with browser developers and device manufacturers, it has resisted ending its ad revenue-sharing deals. Apple criticised Google’s ability to represent its interests as the trial escalated into a broader challenge to Google’s business model. A Google spokesperson declined to comment on the case.
South Korea has seen a significant rise in cryptocurrency holders, with over 610,000 new users recorded in November. According to data shared by Yonhap News, the country now has 15.6 million crypto investors, representing more than 30% of the population. The data, sourced from major exchanges like Upbit and Bithumb, highlights the growing influence of digital assets in South Korea’s financial landscape.
The surge coincided with Donald Trump’s win in the US presidential election on 5 November. Many in the global crypto community believe Trump’s victory could signal a shift towards more favourable regulations for digital currencies, a sentiment that has resonated strongly in South Korea.
Additionally, the introduction of the Virtual Asset User Protection Act by South Korea’s Financial Services Commission has enhanced investor confidence. Under the new regulations, crypto exchanges must prioritise the security of users’ assets. This is the first time such comprehensive statistical data on crypto ownership has been released, further underscoring the sector’s rapid growth.
With South Koreans holding $70.3 billion in crypto assets and transaction volumes nearing those of the local stock market, the country’s crypto boom shows no signs of slowing.
Authorities in Thailand are taking steps to regulate bulk SIM card purchases to combat their misuse in scams targeting Thai citizens. The issue came to light following the police seizure of 200,000 prepaid SIM cards linked to a Chinese call center gang.
Currently, there are no restrictions on corporate bulk SIM purchases, aside from a rule requiring registration for users holding more than five numbers. The lack of oversight has enabled SIM cards to be used illegally, particularly near borders where foreign SIMs are common.
Many of these cards are intentionally registered without clear user identities or are misused in IoT devices, GPS trackers, or sold to tourists. To address these gaps, the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society has proposed legal reforms requiring mobile operators and banks to verify buyer identities and notify users of suspicious transactions.
Additionally, stricter regulations on SMS messages with embedded links are set to take effect next year. Inspired by policies in countries like Singapore and Australia, these reforms aim to enhance accountability and curb abuse.
The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) emphasises a gradual approach to implementing these measures to minimise inconvenience for consumers and avoid disrupting legitimate business operations. While tackling the misuse of SIM cards, authorities aim to strike a balance between protecting the public and ensuring businesses can operate smoothly. This measured approach reflects the broader goal of preventing scams while maintaining economic and social stability.
