Bash-ing (Bash Bug, Shell Shock) - All the information you need

The Bash Bug is a severe vulnerability discovered by by Stephane Chazelas of Akamai, who most probably deserves a pwnie award [1]. 
The discovery of this particular vulnerability is a serious risk, similar (maybe proven to be a lot bigger) to the Heartbleed bug [2]. Mostly because Linux not only runs the majority of the servers but also in a large number of embedded devices. Keep in mind that there are approximately about 25 years’ worth of Bash versions! Effectively, Mac OS X [11] and Android devices may also be running the vulnerable version of bash. 
Also, for Windows systems, msysgit contains a vulnerable version of bash (by Joshua McKinney) [12]. Which means, we are going to have more of these popping up very soon under the Windows platform as well.
Just to give you a hint about the severity of this vulnerability, NIST Vulnerability DataBase rated this with "10 out of 10". [3]

44CON 2014

It was really nice catching up with many friends from the industry at 44CON [1] (#44CON) this year in London. 

Also, a new 44Con Cyber Security was announced which will take place at some point next year. 

This year, there were 3 tracks running and a workshop. A number of interesting talks and a variety of subject to choose from. The stages were really nice and you should look for the DVD when it is out! It is very difficult to choose which talk(s) was/were the best. The main reason is because so many things happening at the same time it is hard to tell. So, it is best to assume that all were great. 

[1] http://44con.com

Disconnect Mobile

Finally an App for non-routed/jail-broken mobile devices that will allow you to control your privacy and security. Disconnect Mobile is a privacy and security app. The app actively blocks the biggest mobile trackers and thousands of malware threats when you use an app or browse the web using 3G, 4G, LTE or Wi-Fi. Optionally includes ad filtering and malware protection which you have to pay in order to activate them. 

Why the big fuss? Well, last week, Google kicked Disconnect Mobile out of the Play store. It even made the Wall Street Journal [1]. As always this post is not about promoting this specific app but on the fact that it blocks mobile trackers and that it was kicked from Play store. What has changed and Google finally allowed the app to be on the store?  Google kicked this app because it violated a policy prohibiting software that interferes with other apps. However, interference was precisely the point of Disconnect Mobile, a privacy tool aimed at stopping other apps from collecting data on users. In the six days it was available in Google’s store, it was downloaded more than 5,000 times.

EMF 2014 - Presentation

I was delighted to be given the opportunity to give a talk at EMF camp 2014 [1] about Point-of-Sale devices [2]. 

I would like to thank all of you who attended and I really hope you enjoyed the talk. Also, the talk was being streamed live at the emfcamp.org website [3]
Looking forward to go back next year. 

[1] https://frab.emfcamp.org/en/EMF2014/public/events/274
[2] https://frab.emfcamp.org/en/EMF2014/public/schedule/2
[3] http://webcast.emfcamp.org

Garmin GPS nuvi 2597LTM, 5" - How to..

I recently purchased a Garmin GPS and more specifically the nuvi 2597LTM, 5" screen. Compared to other makes, I find Garmin to be the best GPS devices out there for all sort of reasons. I have used different models of Garmin GPS over the years and I was fully satisfied with them every time.

However, my recent purchase put me off a little bit and the reason was that I was expecting more from Garmin. What I mean is that I purchased one of the latest models in 2014 and I was expecting to see the graphics to be a bit more smooth, without any delays in drawing/redrawing the map. It feels like they haven't upgraded the processor over the years and its performing exactly like a GPS bought at least 6-8 years ago. Also, it would be really nice if the screen had better resolution. We have retina displays now, I don't think increasing just a little bit the screen resolution would make such a bit difference to the final price. Despite the above the GPS is picking up the satellites very fast, the antenna picks up the satellites in semi-covered places as well, the real directions are very nice and useful, and of course the bluetooth allows you to take calls on the GPS which are loud and clear! 

The issue I had to face though, came a couple of months after during a trip. The GPS decided that the auto-brightness feature will start working as it pleases. More specifically, during the trip, it decided to switch from bright to 10% brightness. Every time I set it back to 70%-100%, after a random number of seconds/minutes it switched back to 10% for no reason.