Facebook bug makes it easy for anyone to hack into your account

If you were diligent enough or a really crafty hacker, you could get into anyone’s Facebook account. A recently discovered bug allowed people to keep guessing someone’s Facebook password until they gained access. Sites usually give users only a handful of attempts before locking the account to make sure unauthorized people can’t get in. Unfortunately, this bug has a work around for it. And it’ll let hackers use computer programs to keep trying a variety of passcodes until they can get in and do things like change the password and access personal details.

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Facebook denounces detention of its exec in Brazil, calls it an ‘extreme and disproportionate measure’

REUTERS/RICARDO MORAES

Facebook isn’t happy with how a Brazilian court handled a case dealing with its messaging service, WhatsApp. The company finds its Vice President for Latin America Diego Dzodan arrested because the company supposedly failed to cooperate with judicial orders related to a secretive drug-trafficking investigation. Facebook, or WhatsApp more specifically, was demanded by a court to provide data to aid in the investigation. The arrest was issued after a fine of 1 million reais (about $340,000 CAD) was issued to compel Facebook to help. However, it might be difficult to obtain that data. According to Christopher Soghoian, principal technologist with the American Civil Liberties Union, WhatsApp uses end-to-end encryption technology in 2014 that prevents them from monitoring messages that travel across its network.

Dzodan is currently held in Sao Paulo state for questioning. The arrest comes in the time when social media, Internet, and tech companies are facing mounting pressure from governments to help them spy on their users and filter content. According to an emailed statement from the company, “Facebook has always been and will be available to address any questions Brazilian authorities may have.”

Source: Reuters (1) + Reuters (2)

Ahoy Matey! Here are Facebook reactions in Pirate

For today’s dose of lighthearted news, did you know that you can set your language settings on Facebook to Pirate English? And look what it does to the new reaction buttons on Facebook! You can now “Yo ho ho!” if you’re laughing out loud or “Shiver me timbers” when you’re surprised. If this is something you want to play around with, just head over to Settings > Languages > English (Pirate).

Source: The Verge

Facebook now lets iOS users send birthday wishes via video

Want to stand out from all the generic “Happy Birthday” greetings? Well, now you can send a unique 15-second clip to celebrate your loved one’s special day. Facebook is rolling out a new birthday video cam feature for iOS users. A banner will show up on the birthday boy or girl’s profile prompting you to record a video message. You can even add birthday-themed frames to it.

Source: TechCrunch | Via: Engadget