The Chicago Journal

Apple aware of thieves eyeing iPhone passcodes

Apple When it comes to quality products, no other company comes close to Apple’s reputation.

Apple iPhones have been among the market’s most popular items.

As a result, if left unsecured, it may become the target of a swarm of bandits seeking to grab one from its owners.

Yet, thieves have adopted a new technique in their illegal operations.

iPhone thieves, according to studies, are increasingly seeking for a victim’s passcode before making their move.

The news

The Wall Street Journal reports that iPhone thieves are paying attention to their victims’ passcodes before snatching the Apple device.

They will then reset the settings, denying the owners access.

Victims have reported having their Apple iPhones taken from their hands in public areas such as pubs, only to discover that they had been locked out.

Passcode-savvy thieves can rapidly reset the victim’s Apple ID password.

They may also turn off the Locate My iPhone feature, leaving consumers in the dark and unable to track their iPhones.

Customers are also unable to delete additional devices associated with their Apple ID.

Criminals can also add a recovery key, denying the victim access to account recovery.

More than an isolated case

There were several reports, all alleging the same issue.

One victim, for example, said that a thief obtained an Apple Card by using the last four digits of their Social Security number in photographs.

Meanwhile, another woman had all of her family pictures destroyed.

The great majority of victims have previously reported to the authorities.

In one case, a victim reported identity theft to the Federal Trade Commission, alleging their loss.

Apple acknowledges the situation

With so many people experiencing the same problem, Apple is scrambling to come up with backup solutions.

The iPhone, according to a spokeswoman, is the most secure consumer mobile device on the market.

They went on to stress that the corporation is “tirelessly” striving to safeguard against new and emerging threats.

“We sympathize with users who have had this experience, and we take all attacks on our users very seriously, no matter how rare,” said the spokeswoman.

“We will continue to advance the protections to help keep user accounts secure.”

According to an Apple spokesperson, the new round of thefts is uncommon in that it includes both the device and the password or passcode.

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Preventing theft

Most systems recommend using a strong, unique password when creating passwords for devices and accounts.

The passcode, on the other hand, is a clear weak link, particularly when users select a short string of numbers for convenience.

Despite recent Apple improvements, the issue remains.

Apple has unveiled new ways to safeguard the Apple ID, such as physical security keys.

Apple suggests using Face ID and placing your palm over the screen when entering a passcode.

When Face ID (or Touch ID on prior versions) fails, the phone prompts the user for a password.

Upon unlocking the smartphone, enabling Apple Pay, and activating the iCloud Keychain password manager, the passcode shows.

Course of actions

It’s impossible to avoid theft, but Apple device users may make it more difficult for those who do.

Screen cover

Criminals routinely devise methods to get people’s passcodes, according to police authorities.

Some will even record their targets from a safe distance.

In public, users should use Face ID or Touch ID to prevent thieves from adding them to their list.

When a password or passcode is required, it is recommended that they input them like ATM pins.

Passcode strength

According to Adam Aviv, an associate professor of computer science at George Washington University, using six digits is a good practice.

Passcodes that are longer and more sophisticated will be more difficult to “shoulder surf,” according to Aviv.

Owners of Apple devices should use alphanumeric passcodes.

It is also advised to include a quick auto-lock to make it more difficult for thieves to change anything.

Additional protection

Most online banking applications require passcodes, and experts recommend generating one that is unique to the iPhone.

Users may also activate account limitations by setting up a Screen Time passcode, similar to how parents do with their children’s devices.

Third-party password manager

Although Apple’s built-in iCloud Keychain password manager is beneficial, passcode-protected passwords may also be read.

As a consequence, scammers can acquire access to bank accounts on their victims’ iPhones.

Nevertheless, users can use a third-party password manager that enables biometric authentication, like 1Password or Dashlane.

Delete traces of sensitive information

Some people are forgetful and may use photos of sensitive information, such as forms including their Social Security number, to help them remember.

As a result, it is wise to destroy duplicates of such documents.

As an alternative, users can use safe file storage in third-party password managers.

Act quickly if phone is stolen

If an iPhone is stolen, the owner must act quickly by checking in to iCloud from another device to locate and wipe the device clean.

Victims may easily call their carrier or go to a retail shop and have the sim deactivated to prevent them from receiving verification codes.

Crypto report: Binance loses $570 million in a heist after hackers target cross-chain bridge

Theft has become a recurring problem in the crypto and NFT space, and Binance has become the latest victim of a significant robbery.

The report

On Friday, a Binance spokesperson revealed that a Binance-linked blockchain was involved in a $570 million hack last Thursday.

On Thursday, the cryptocurrency exchange platform tweeted that Binance had temporarily suspended BNB Smart Chain, its blockchain network.

The company claimed that the action was the result of irregular activity.

On Friday, Binance released a statement claiming that hackers stole two million BNB cryptocurrency tokens, which were worth $ 570 million at the time.

Changpeng Zhao, the CEO of Binance, initially tweeted that about $100 million worth of cryptocurrencies had been stolen.

On Thursday, he tweeted:

“Your funds are safe. We apologize for the inconvenience.”

According to Binance, tokens worth $100 million remain “unrecovered” and have been removed from the chain by the hacker.

At the moment, the remaining funds of the BNB chain are being frozen.

The hack

The big heist was carried out when the hackers targeted what is known in the crypto space as a cross-chain bridge.

Recently, bridges have become the target of most hackers.

Bridges are the infrastructure that allows users to exchange crypto assets on different blockchains.

Their services usually hold large reserves of various coins.

This puts coin reserves at the center of the hackers’ radar.

According to blockchain analytics firm Elliptic, coin reserves have made blockchain bridges prime targets for theft.

Theft

Elliptic reports that about $1.83 billion was stolen from bridges in August, with the majority ($1.21 billion) in 2022.

Binance was not alone as others experienced major thefts in 2022.

Other losses include $190 million stolen from cryptocurrency bridge provider Nomad in August.

In June, California-based Harmony announced a loss of $100 million at the end of June.

Axie Infinity’s Ronin Bridge lost $625 million in March.

Effects of the Binance hack

The latest hack caused the BNB blockchain to go offline for about nine hours.

BNB made a corporate post saying that the chain’s ecosystem contacted the chain’s validators to prevent the incident from spreading further.

Chain validators are people who verify that transactions on the blockchain are legitimate.

According to a tweet from the company, the channel went back online around 2:30 a.m. ET.

Reference:

Binance-linked blockchain hit by $570 million crypto theft

Rep. Karen Bass’s home gets broken into, only two firearms taken

Friday night, a raid on Rep. Karen Bass’s Los Angeles home resulted in the theft of two firearms.

The news was revealed in a statement released Saturday by the Los Angeles mayoral candidate.

What happened

Bass returned home on Friday and discovered signs of a raid, prompting her to call the police.

You said the thief stole firearms, which were “safely stored,” leaving behind cash, electronics, and other valuables.

“It’s unnerving and, unfortunately, it’s something that far too many Angelenos have faced,” said Bass.

Rep. Karen Bass lives in the Baldwin Vista neighborhood of Los Angeles.

Firearms and burglary

Sarah Leonard Sheahan, Bass’ communications director, confirmed that the guns belonged to members of Congress.

She also said they were secured in a Brinks locker.

According to Leonard Sheahan, the guns were legally registered guns, and Bass never applied for a license to carry a gun.

He also revealed that no one was home during the raid.

On Saturday night, the LAPD asked the public for help to share clues about the suspected burglary.

“Hispanic, standing 5 feet 9 inches tall, weighing 200 pounds,” investigators described.

Crime and security in Los Angeles

The Los Angeles Times co-sponsored a poll last month that showed 77% of voters wanted a sober candidate to face crime.

The opinions come from a study which found that burglaries across the city will increase by 15% by 2022 and that crime has become a major issue in the mayoral race.

In a previous debate, Bass was asked to rate how safe she felt in her neighborhood on a scale of 1 to 10.

“I do feel safe. I would say a 10,” said Bass.

“I feel safe, but I do understand that a lot of people around the city do not feel safe, and I respect that.”

How Karen Bass learned to use a gun

Bass learned to use a firearm in Los Angeles in the late 1970s as an organizer with the Venceremos Brigade in California.

The Venceremos Brigade is a group formed in 1983 to show solidarity with the Cuban revolution, according to The Times.

Bass says a LAPD officer taught him how to use a gun.

According to her, the officer “encouraged a wide variety of people who held leadership responsibilities in the progressive Los Angeles community to learn how to use firearms.”

Elections for the mayor in Los Angeles

Karen Bass has been a member of Congress for six years, representing parts of the Westside and southern Los Angeles.

With Election Day less than two months away, she has built a double-digit lead over billionaire mall developer Rick Caruso in the polls for the mayor.

The rush was on recently and the two got on the scene for their relationship with USC, which has suffered several scandals in recent years.

Bass is facing questions about a $95,000 grant USC gave her in 2011.

Federal prosecutors said the grant was “crucial” to their investigation into allegations of corruption in the university’s social work program.

Bass’s campaign targeted USC board member Caruso for failing to protect women in college.

The attacks are linked to allegations of sexual abuse by former campus gynecologist George Tyndall.

References:

Rep. Karen Bass says her Los Angeles home was burglarized, two firearms stolen

2 guns stolen during break-in at LA home of mayoral candidate Karen Bass

Two firearms stolen in burglary at home of LA mayoral candidate Karen Bass