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Hewlett-Packard

Hewlett-Packard revealed Tuesday shocking results of a security testing study which showed that owners of Internet-connected home security systems contain significant vulnerabilities, including password security, encryption and authentication issues.

Home security systems, such as video cameras and motion detectors, have gained popularity as they have joined the booming Internet of Things (IoT) market and have grown in convenience. The new HP study reveals how ill-equipped the market is from a security standpoint for the magnitude of growth expected around IoT.

According to Gartner, 4.9 billion connected things will be in use in 2015, and will reach 25 billion by 2020.

All systems that included their cloud-based web interfaces and mobile interfaces failed to require passwords of sufficient complexity and length with most only requiring a six character alphanumeric password. All systems also lacked the ability to lock out accounts after a certain number of failed attempts.

All cloud-based web interfaces tested exhibited security concerns enabling a potential attacker to gain account access through account harvesting which uses three application flaws; account enumeration, weak password policy and lack of account lockout. Similarly five of the ten systems tested exhibited account harvesting concerns with their mobile application interface exposing consumers to similar risks.

All systems collected some form of personal information such as name, address, date of birth, phone number and even credit card numbers. Exposure of this personal information is of concern given the account harvesting issues across all systems. It is also worth noting that the use of video is a key feature of many home security systems with viewing available via mobile applications and cloud-based web interfaces. The privacy of video images from inside the home becomes an added concern.

While all systems implemented transport encryption such as SSL/TLS, many of the cloud connections remain vulnerable to attacks such as the POODLE attack. The importance of properly configured transport encryption is critical as security is a primary function of these systems.

Manufacturers are offering connected security systems that deliver remote monitoring capabilities. The network connectivity and access necessary for remote monitoring presents new security concerns that did not exist for the previous generation of systems that have no internet connectivity.

The HP study questions whether connected security devices actually make our homes safer or put them at more risk by providing easier electronic access via insecure IoT products. HP leveraged HP Fortify on Demand to assess 10 home security IoT devices along with their cloud and mobile application components, uncovering that none of the systems required the use of a strong password and 100 percent of the systems failed to offer two-factor authentication.

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HP discovers security threats that underline Internet of Things systems

In a recent study, every connected home security system tested by HP contained significant vulnerabilities, including but not limited to password security, encryption, and authentication issues.

HP's Fortify on Demand security service assessed the top 10 home security devices such as video cameras and motion detectors along with their cloud and mobile application components. It uncovered vulnerabilities in all of them. None of the systems required the use of a strong password, for example, and 100 per cent of the systems failed to offer two-factor authentication.

Connected home security systems are part of the booming Internet of Things (IoT) market, and vendors are understandably keen to carve out a slice of the action with fast time-to-market, rather than data security, at the forefront of their thinking.

Manufacturers are under pressure to release security systems that deliver remote monitoring capabilities. Ironically, however, the network connectivity and access that are necessary for remote monitoring mean the security risks associated with such systems are significantly greater than those associated with older, disconnected systems.

All systems that HP tested, including cloud-based web interfaces and mobile interfaces, failed to require passwords of sufficient length and complexity, with most only requiring a six-character alphanumeric password. All the systems also lacked the ability to lock out accounts after a certain number of failed login attempts, leaving the door open to brute force attacks.

All accessed systems collected some form of personal information, such as names, addresses, dates of birth, phone numbers, and even credit card numbers. Thats bad, because account-harvesting issues were pervasive across all systems tested.

Gartner forecasts that 4.9 billion connected things will be in use in 2015, up 30 per cent from 2014, and the figure will reach 25 billion by 2020.

The new HP study highlights how ill-equipped the market is delivering secure products, re-emphasising an observation weve heard from several security firms over recent months: The lessons learnt in the client-server, mobile, and cloud technology markets are not being applied when it comes to the IoT, including such devices as connected home security systems and smart meters.

Default passwords and poor crypto are the order of the day, laying the groundwork for a more expensive security retrofit down the line.

HPs Home Security Systems report tested 10 of the most commonly used home security IoT devices for vulnerabilities using a combination of manual testing and automated tools. Devices and their components were assessed based on the OWASP Internet of Things Top 10 and the specific vulnerabilities associated with each top 10 category.

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Internet of Thieves: All that shiny home security gear is crap, warns HP

"Smart" Internet-connected home security systems are meant to protect consumers from intruders but the top devices don't require even the bare minimum for password protection that we expect for our email and other web services, according to a new study from HP.

HP bought 10 home-monitoring devices like video cameras and alarm systems and tested them to see how easy they are to hack, Jason Schmitt, the vice president and general manager of HP's enterprise security products team, told NBC News. All 10 of the devices had "significant vulnerabilities" in the security of the device itself, HP said.

HP which declined to name the products it tested said the most basic of those security holes involved poor password practices. Some devices didn't require strong passwords, while all 10 of the products tested failed to lock the account after a certain number of failed password attempts. "These are things that a lot of web companies have perfected, but when you move to a different [space] that doesn't specialize in web security those practices just kind of drift away," Schmitt said.

First published February 10 2015, 5:17 AM

Excerpt from:
Smart Home Security Devices Fail Password Basics: HP

SUSSEX COUNTY -- The handyman accused of stabbing a woman to death in 2012 has rejected a plea deal for 30 years and will instead opt to go to trial, the New Jersey Herald reports.

As previously reported by the Star-Ledger, Gregg Murphy is charged with killing Mariann Ferreira, 56, on Dec. 3, 2012, by repeatedly stabbing her in her home in rural Green Township. Law enforcement officials have said Murphy admitted killing Ferreira, but could not provide any reason.

According to the Herald, Murphy confirmed in court Monday he wished to have a bench trial. He reportedly also said he'd be using a psychiatric defense for the alleged stabbing.

"He admitted stabbing the victim multiple times with the purpose of killing her. He acknowledged he had no justification and couldnt say why he did it," First Assistant Prosecutor Gregory Mueller told Superior Court Judge N. Peter Conforti shortly after the arrest, during Murphys first appearance in Superior Court.

Murphy is being held in the Sussex County Jail on $750,000 bail.

Prior to retiring in January of 2012, Ferreira worked for the Morris County Division of Aging, Disability and Veterans, helping people find assisted-living facilities for themselves and loved ones.

Ferreira's son told the Star-Ledger in 2013 Murphy had often done work at Ferreira 's house. He'd recently uilt a deck on one side of her home. urphy did high-quality work and his prices were fair, which worked well for Ferreira, as she didn't have much money, her son said.

She felt bad for him and she wanted to help him out. She kept giving him work" and trusted him, Jared Ferreira said at the time.

Louis C. Hochman may be reached at lhochman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @LouisCHochman. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

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Handyman accused of stabbing employer to death rejects 30-year plea deal

FLORHAM PARK - What better time to think about pool fees than the dead of winter?

While the Borough Council listed municipal pool fees on its meeting agenda for Jan. 22, there was no action due to the sensitivity of the issue: raising fees 18 percent for senior citizens and 9 percent for everyone else.

The council instead decided to table the introduction of the pool fee ordinance, by a 4-2 vote. Councilman Scott Carpenter abstained and Councilman William Zuckerman voted against the motion to table. Carrying the motion were Council President Charles Malone Jr., Councilmen Charles Germershausen and Thomas Michalowski, and Councilwoman Carmen Cefolo-Pane.

Although the municipal pool is in the midst of an expensive renovation, Malone indicated the scope of the proposed fee increases still gave him pause.

'Rushed'

"I moved to table the proposed ordinance, because -- as written -- it indicated an 18 percent increase for senior citizens and a 9 percent increase for all others," the council president said after the meeting.

"At that time, the proposed ordinance had been rushed to introduction without adequate time or opportunity for proper discussion, review, and analysis by myself and by borough staff," he added.

Mayor Mark Taylor suggested that the council would revisit the issue at a later date.

There is time. The Florham Park Municipal Pool, located off Vreeland Avenue, is scheduled to open for weekends as of the Memorial Day weekend in May, with regular hours beginning on Saturday, June 21.

The borough awarded a contract for a $1 million makeover of the pool last fall to CFM Construction of the Stirling section of Long Hill Township.

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Florham Park ponders pool fee increase

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Gutter Cleaning 423 Wincanton Place, Venice, FL 34293 20150202 140639 - Video

The Poro Point Management Corp. (PPMC), a subsidiary of Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), is calling for interested bidders to bid for the 25-year lease and development of the six-hectare Poro Point Lighthouse in San Fernando, La Union.

"This is a good opportunity to take advantage of the robust growth in the region that reported a strong 7.7 percent expansion in 2013," BCDA president and CEO Arnel Paciano Casanova said in a statement on Tuesday.

"The improvements in infrastructure, specifically a better road network, will further boost growth in tourism," he said.

The minimum floor price is set at P5.28 million for the annual lease of the property, subject to a 10-percent increase on the third year and every two years thereafter.

The first year of the lease term will be rent-free.

The 25-year lease term will be renewable for another 25 years, subject to the approval of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), according to the terms of reference.

The Poro Point Lighthouse and its reservation is under the jurisdiction of PCG.

Developments to be introduced in the property shall be limited to tourism-leisure and entertainment related facilities such as: hotels, condotel facilities, cliff-walks with view decks, landscape areas, parks, playgrounds, gardens, function halls, commercial stores, cafes, restaurants, amphitheaters, pavilions, picnic areas, and gazebos.

It also includes the repair and rehabilitation of the modern lighthouse, restoration of the old Spanish lighthouse, and the shotgun house "into its original aesthetic beauty to serve as tourist attractions within the property."

A pre-bid conference will be held on Feb. 12 where the property, the terms of reference and inquiries from interested bidders will be discussed.

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Poro Point Management Corp. invites bids for Poro Point Lighthouse lease

Lana Kourieh Interview on Al Arabiya About Feng Shui On 15 01 2015
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DANIEL Padilla should avoid high-impact sports. Inquirer photo

Celebrities, politicians and business moguls seek out my good friend, feng shui expert Marites Allen, for advice before embarking on a project or moving into a new home or office. Of course, they also consult her on heart matters.

(Follow her on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter: @MaritesAllen and check out http://www.frigga.co.uk/www.wealthluck.com.)

Chinese New Year is just around the corner, so I asked Miss Lady Luck (my pet name for Marites) for her predictions for 15 top celebrities this year.

Kung Hei Fat Choi! Over and beyond feng shui, let the Good Shepherd guide us throughout the Year of the Sheep.

SNAKE

Vilma Santos, Nora Aunor

An important project will further showcase your talent and enhance your social position. Married Snakes should watch their partners health.

MONKEY

Dingdong Dantes

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Whats in store for celebs in Year of the Sheep?