Tag

Authentication

All articles tagged with #authentication

Microsoft shifts to passwordless sign-ins, phasing out SMS codes
technology5 days ago

Microsoft shifts to passwordless sign-ins, phasing out SMS codes

Microsoft will retire SMS-based authentication for personal accounts and push passwordless sign-ins using passkeys, with verified secondary emails for account recovery. The new flow offers on-device passkeys that can be stored in password managers, smartphones, or Windows Hello biometrics, aiming to curb phishing and SIM-swapping. While sign-in could be faster and more secure, users accustomed to SMS verification may face friction during the transition.

cPanel Patch Fixes Critical Authentication Flaw Across Supported Versions
security27 days ago

cPanel Patch Fixes Critical Authentication Flaw Across Supported Versions

cPanel released security updates to fix a critical authentication vulnerability across all supported versions, listing patched builds (11.110.0.97, 11.118.0.63, 11.126.0.54, 11.132.0.29, 11.134.0.20, 11.136.0.5); Namecheap temporarily blocked cPanel/WHM ports 2083 and 2087 as a precaution, with patches rolling out and some servers already updated as of April 29, 2026.

China Cabinet Cash: 10 Vintage Plates That Can Become Big Bucks
shopping1 month ago

China Cabinet Cash: 10 Vintage Plates That Can Become Big Bucks

A FinanceBuzz piece highlights 10 vintage plates that can fetch significant sums on resale markets, including Kutani, Tiffany & Co. bone china, Kangxi-era Chinese porcelain, Meissen, Flora Danica, Sèvres, Minton, Moorcroft, Spode, and Lenox. Values range from roughly $120 for a Lenox Fountain plate to hundreds or thousands for rarer makers and older pieces; authenticity marks and back-stamps are key to determining value, and not all vintage pieces retain value.

Google Strengthens Android Theft Protections With Stronger Auth and Remote Lock
technology3 months ago

Google Strengthens Android Theft Protections With Stronger Auth and Remote Lock

Google rolled out stronger Android theft protections, including a configurable Failed Authentication Lock, expanded Identity Check to require biometric verification for actions outside trusted locations and to cover all Android Biometric Prompt apps, improvements to prevent accidental lockouts, longer lockout times after failed attempts, and a Remote Lock with an optional ownership verification step. In Brazil, new devices will have Theft Detection Lock and Remote Lock enabled by default. Recovery tools now work on Android 10+ and safeguards on Android 16+, with Android in-call scam protection extended to major banks and Cash App/JPMorgan Chase in the US.

SMS sign-in links expose data for millions, study warns
technology4 months ago

SMS sign-in links expose data for millions, study warns

A new study finds that many services authenticate users via SMS-delivered links or codes, with weak, easily guessable tokens that can be brute-forced or enumerated to access other users’ accounts and view sensitive data. Researchers analyzed 332,000 unique SMS URLs from 33 million texts across 177 services, uncovering 701 endpoints that exposed data and 125 allowing mass enumeration. Only a minority of providers contacted by the researchers have fixed the flaws, underscoring the need for stronger authentication, time-limited links, and multi-factor checks or safer alternatives like email-based magic links.

The Shift Toward Passwordless Security: Embracing Passkeys and Facial Recognition
technology4 months ago

The Shift Toward Passwordless Security: Embracing Passkeys and Facial Recognition

Passkeys are a secure and user-friendly alternative to passwords that are underutilized due to low awareness, misconceptions, and implementation challenges. Companies are encouraged to promote phased adoption and educate users on their benefits to improve security and user experience, especially as traditional methods become more vulnerable to AI-driven attacks.

Plex Security Breach Prompts Urgent Password Changes
technology8 months ago

Plex Security Breach Prompts Urgent Password Changes

Plex has warned users to reset their passwords following a data breach that exposed email addresses, usernames, and securely hashed passwords. The company has addressed the breach and recommends users change passwords, log out of all devices, and enable two-factor authentication for added security. No payment card information was compromised in the incident.

Buyer Scores £30,000 Salvador Dalí Painting for Just £150 at House Sale
art10 months ago

Buyer Scores £30,000 Salvador Dalí Painting for Just £150 at House Sale

A modestly priced painting bought for £150 at a house clearance sale in Cambridge has been authenticated as a genuine Salvador Dalí artwork, valued at £20,000 to £30,000. The piece, Vecchio Sultano, is part of Dalí's unfinished Middle Eastern folktale illustrations, which were largely unpublished and stored in a London garage. The discovery highlights the potential value hidden in overlooked art pieces and the importance of expert authentication.

Facebook and Meta Launch Passkey Support for Enhanced Security
technology11 months ago

Facebook and Meta Launch Passkey Support for Enhanced Security

Facebook now supports passkeys, a secure and convenient authentication method that replaces passwords with device-based verification like face or fingerprint scans, enhancing account security and reducing phishing risks. The feature will roll out to iOS and Android soon, allowing users to use passkeys for Facebook login, Messenger, and Meta Pay, and is part of a broader industry move towards more secure login methods. Users are encouraged to set up passkeys and ensure their passwords are strong and unique, with two-factor authentication as an additional safeguard.

Facebook Launches Passkeys for Enhanced Account Security
technology11 months ago

Facebook Launches Passkeys for Enhanced Account Security

Facebook is adding support for passkeys on its mobile app, allowing users to log in using device authentication methods like fingerprint or face scan, which enhances security and helps prevent phishing attacks. The feature will be available soon on Android and iOS, and will also support Facebook Messenger, joining other major platforms like Google, Apple, and Microsoft that have adopted passkeys. Users can still use passwords or other authentication methods, and passkeys are built on WebAuthn technology, offering a more secure alternative to traditional passwords.