The Briefing Room
General Category => Science, Technology and Knowledge => Computers => Topic started by: Kamaji on May 11, 2022, 06:59:43 pm
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Russia is after YOUR personal data: Experts warn internet users not to download latest online craze New Profile Pic that hoovers up your details and sends them to Moscow
By DARREN BOYLE FOR MAILONLINE
11 May 2022
A new phone app which offers users a free digital avatar is taking facial-recognition quality photographs and sending them to Moscow, prompting major concerns within the cyber security community.
Tens of thousands of people have already uploaded their photographs to the servers of the New Profile Pic app in return to the free avatar. However, many will be unaware that the company behind the app, Linerock Investments, is based in an apartment complex overlooking the Moscow River, beside Russia's Ministry of Defence and just three miles from Red Square.
Jake Moore, Global Cybersecurity Advisor, ESET Internet Security told MailOnline that people have to be incredibly careful when uploading photographs or personal data to a brand new website.
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Source: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10802211/NewProfilePic-Warning-issued-viral-app-hoover-data-sends-Moscow.html
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Bkmk
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As I would never, in a million years, use a "new phone app which offers users a free digital avatar," I'm going to mark myself SAFE from Russki spying for today.
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Sorry, but I am far more worried about what my own government is doing with my data...
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... the Russians just need to ask the Chi-coms for our personal data.
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No smartphone here.
I do have a "flip phone". Always turned OFF. I don't think it can load/run any apps other than those that are already installed on it.
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Sorry, but I am far more worried about what my own government is doing with my data...
Depending on whether or not one has bank accounts that can be accessed online, the Russians may be more than happy to wipe one's accounts clean, and to also open up - and then drain - new credit card accounts in one's name, provided they get enough personal details to open up such accounts.
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Sorry, but I am far more worried about what my own government is doing with my data...
:bingo:
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... the Russians just need to ask the Chi-coms for our personal data.
WHy bother to ask the ChiComs? Just hack the NSA and get it all.
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Depending on whether or not one has bank accounts that can be accessed online, the Russians may be more than happy to wipe one's accounts clean, and to also open up - and then drain - new credit card accounts in one's name, provided they get enough personal details to open up such accounts.
Which is why only a little banking and all e-mail are handled on the computer, not the phone.
No facebook, no twitter, no games on the phone, either.
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Depending on whether or not one has bank accounts that can be accessed online, the Russians may be more than happy to wipe one's accounts clean, and to also open up - and then drain - new credit card accounts in one's name, provided they get enough personal details to open up such accounts.
I am insured for that, and with the exception of local utilities, I buy through paypal. and I have a credit stop in place = no cards possible except the one I have. And the one I have is a debit card, not attached to my main accounts. Other than that one card to bounce the paypal through for online orders, I am all cash.
And I don't do phone apps to speak of - certainly not anything other than vendor stuff. Vendors I always do business with.
Besides, you can't get blood from a turnip. :seeya: