Google Chrome hopes to save you from fake, malware-infested download buttons

It's probably happened to you before. A fake ad or login page for your bank or a certain service you use shows up and you unwittingly click on it without realizing you've actually installed malware into your computer. Google Chrome, through its Safe Browsing feature, wants to help you avoid falling prey to these social engineering ads with a new feature for Chrome. The browser now flags these sites with fake download buttons and fraudulent updates and ads meant to mimic actual branding of certain sites.

This move is part of Google's new social engineering policy introduced back in November. If your Chrome browser detects types of social engineering on a site, such as a fake log-in screen, you'll be redirected to a Chrome warning page (we know you've seen these before) to tell you to proceed with caution. If Google accidentally flags your site, you can head over to a help page to remedy this.

Source: Google Online Security Blog | Via: The Next Web 

Fitbit introduces new stylish fitness tracker

Fitbit's new Alta fitness wristband ups the style factor with its sleek and slim design. The stainless steel tracker comes with interchangeable accessory bands so you can have it match your outfit. Tory Burch has even partnered with Fitbit again to introduce some Fitbit Alta-specific styles. The tracker comes with features such as Reminders to Move to help keep you active; SmartTrack to monitor your movements and exercise routine, weekly exercise goals, and even sleep activity. Like other trackers, it can send you call, text, and calendar notifications through on-screen messages on its OLED tap display and through vibration. It promises to work with over 200 Android, iOS, and Windows mobile devices and computers. The Fitbit Alta is now up for presale for $169.95 and will be available for retail starting March. 

Toyota to discontinue the Scion youth-oriented brand

Scion no more: Scion's last concept vehicle shown off at the Detroit Auto Show - Photo By Gadjo Sevilla

By Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

Scion, the Toyota sub-brand designed to attract younger buyers will be discontinued. Toyota said it will rebadge three of its 2017 model-year Scions as Toyotas, beginning in August. One model, the tC coupe, will no longer be produced as of that month. Scion debuted in the US in 2003 and was a targeted towards first-time buyers and students.

The brand was built on the foundations of Toyota vehicles but offered customization in terms of colour and materials, quirky vehicle styles and youthful advertising campaigns. Scion only came to Canada in 2010, Toyota is scrapping the brand in response to customer needs.

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Study: Apple Watch trumps standalone fitness trackers in terms of privacy and security

Privacy and security aren't issues most of us have in mind when thinking about our fitness trackers. Mostly though of as 'dumb' devices or a collection of sensors that are designed around tracking physical activity, they don't seem like the types of gadgets that will be susceptible to attacks or data exploits. 

A recent study held by Open Effect called Every Step You Fake took a look at eight fitness trackers and wearables and determined that seven out of the eight fitness trackers emit persistent unique identifiers (Bluetooth media addresses, etc,). Many were shown to have vulnerabilities in their companion smartphone apps and some can even be used to create fake fitness band records. Apple's Apple Watch, which features activity tracking features, a hear rate monitor and various motivational features to keep user's moving, was the only device that did not exhibit security vulnerabilities. This is likely because, watchOS, as an extension of the ironclad iOS platform, surely has key security loopholes covered in their Watch products.

Check our the full report here.