Eight-digit BINs are coming for Visa credit holders
This week in Hard Refresh: Tech we review Google privacy laws, Tesla and Bitcoin, Apple BlastDoor, & more!
2 min readFeb 10, 2021
CYBERSECURITY
- Apple has added “BlastDoor” to secure all iPhones from zero-click attacks in iMessage. This is great, but the general concept of getting malware without even having to click on something is of major concern.
- Eight-digit BINs (Bank Identification Numbers) are coming for Visa credit holders. Visa is doing this to meet ISO standards and to accommodate the growth in the payment industry, but the move comes with some implications.
PRIVACY
- If you’ve been reading these posts for the last couple weeks, you know that Apple is about to flip privacy laws on its head. But pay attention to Google too! The platform just tried to dismiss a children’s privacy law after they collected children’s personal data and location via app games. SMH.
- It’s also interesting to to see what consumers can get away with, or not get away with, when bringing claims against corporations, like Florida-based fast food chain, PDQ. A case was recently thrown out for not providing sufficient enough proof of damage after a security breach.
- In 2020, the government demand for Amazon data shot up 800 percent. WOWZA.
AR, VR, & AI
TECH TOPICS
- A new bill in North Dakota would force Apple to allow alternative app stores and payment systems. Thoughts?
- Tesla has bought Bitcoin. Will any other Big Tech players be next in line?
SECURITY UPDATES
- Multiple vulnerabilities in Google Android OS could allow for remote code execution.
- Stable channel update for Chrome desktop.
- Microsoft Edge Legacy support to end on March 9, 2021.
- Malicious Chrome extension posing as the Forcepoint Endpoint Windows Chrome extension.
- A vulnerability in Mozilla Firefox and Firefox ESR could allow for arbitrary code execution.
- Security update available for Adobe Acrobat and Reader.
- Critical patches issued for Microsoft products.
Thanks for reading!
