This Week’s [in]Security – Issue 164

Welcome to This Week’s [in]Security. Covid19 passes 5M infected and nearly 100K US dead. Brazil, Russia. Leaked data on China's infections. Failed herd immunity. Misinformation. Distancing gimmicks. Isolation fatigue. New and updated PCI FAQs. PCI GEAR. Magecart evading scans. Verizon's annual breach report (DBIR). Breach notice speak. 116M+ breached records. COVID related breaches. Contact tracing APIs and apps. Deleting yourself from the Internet. Apple v FBI again. Security and memory safety. Dark Web checkup. Quantum computing update. COVID related fraud. Not invented here risk. Negative interest rates. Disturbing AI. Incels. Dust bowl 2.0. Hurricanes. The South Atlantic Anomaly. Recycling munitions. And more.

Now here's this week’s selection of news, opinions, and research. Quickly skim annotated links organized by topic: compliance and payment security, breaches, regulation, bugs, privacy, hacking/malware, other security & risk, and more. We hope you enjoy and find them useful.

New - Emerging Issues and Trending Stories

Coronavirus updates. We recently change the way we report COVID articles to you so it is less overwhelming. Many COVID articles will appear within our normal blog section headings each with a sub-group dedicated to COVID-19. For example:

• Facts about its spread, direct impact, and how people react will continue under Trending.
• Regulations and restrictions to counter the virus will be under Regulations.
• Privacy Implications, PCI/Payments, Cybercrime under their respective sections
• Treatments, Vaccines, Innovations, Coping methods under Defense
• Information on how/why it spreads, improvements understanding it, etc. under Vulnerabilities
• Economic impact and articles that don't fit into the other categories will be under Other Risk.
• Breaches (and Ransomware) under Breaches.

Our first regular reports on coronavirus can be found at https://controlgap.com/blog/this-weeks-insecurity-issue-147. And our first use of the trending topic section can be found https://controlgap.com/blog/this-weeks-insecurity-issue-149.

• The spread and the curve:

  • Coronavirus infections top 5 million worldwide https://globalnews.ca/news/6966756/coronavirus-cases-worldwide-5-million/
  • The US is about to grapple with a terrible milestone: One Hundred Thousand Dead https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2020/05/one-one-hundred-thousand/612022/
  • Russian republic Dagestan enduring a 'catastrophe' https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-52737404
  • Brazil's daily death toll hits 1,000 for first time https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-52735178
  • Data Leak Suggests China Had Hundreds of Thousands of Coronavirus Cases in 230 Cities https://www.databreaches.net/data-leak-suggests-china-had-hundreds-of-thousands-of-coronavirus-cases-in-230-cities/
  • Canada’s coronavirus death toll reaches 6,000 https://globalnews.ca/news/6963153/canada-coronavirus-death-toll-6000/
  • Ontario reports 460 new coronavirus cases marking highest increase in over 2 weeks https://globalnews.ca/news/6980031/ontario-coronavirus-cases-may-24-covid19/
  • 28 CAF members sent to Quebec, Ontario care homes diagnosed with COVID-19 https://globalnews.ca/news/6969802/coronavirus-armed-forces-care-homes/
  • Sweden used a controversial way to fight coronavirus. Should the US follow? https://www.businessinsider.com/sweden-herd-immunity-approach-to-fight-coronavirus-2020-5
  • A new Swedish coronavirus antibody study shows the herd immunity strategy isn't working https://www.businessinsider.com/coronavirus-antibody-study-suggests-sweden-not-reaching-herd-immunity-2020-5
  • Skeptical experts in Sweden say its decision to have no lockdown is a terrible mistake that no other nation should copy https://www.businessinsider.com/sweden-coronavirus-plan-is-a-cruel-mistake-skeptical-experts-say-2020-5
  • A hairstylist worked while symptomatic and exposed 91 people to coronavirus https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/coronavirus/a-hairstylist-worked-while-symptomatic-and-exposed-91-people-to-coronavirus-1.4951663

• Lockdown and reopening:

  • Will inconsistent coronavirus messaging from leaders contribute to a second wave? https://globalnews.ca/news/6973102/coronavirus-canada-government-response/
  • Some U.S. states accused of misreporting coronavirus testing data to speed reopening https://globalnews.ca/news/6962394/coronavirus-states-testing-data/
  • NRF Cautions On Treasure Hunt Shopping https://www.pymnts.com/news/retail/2020/nrf-cautions-on-treasure-hunt-shopping/

• Treatments, Testing, Triage, and Trials, and things we learned:

  • Scientists in China believe new drug can stop pandemic 'without vaccine' https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2020/05/20/asia-pacific/science-health-asia-pacific/scientists-china-new-drug-vaccine-coronavirus/
  • Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children and adolescents temporally related to COVID-19 https://www.who.int/news-room/commentaries/detail/multisystem-inflammatory-syndrome-in-children-and-adolescents-with-covid-19
  • ‘How Could the CDC Make That Mistake?’ https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2020/05/cdc-and-states-are-misreporting-covid-19-test-data-pennsylvania-georgia-texas/611935/
  • Afghan girls make ventilators out of car parts https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-52738668

• Guidance, Response and Recovery:

  • Nearly half of Canadians can’t tell coronavirus fact from conspiracy theory https://globalnews.ca/news/6962870/coronavirus-misinformation-carleton-survey/
  • Social distancing a week earlier could have saved 36,000 American lives https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2020/05/21/columbia-study-coronavirus-deaths/
  • Social Distancing Is Not Enough https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2020/05/how-will-we-ever-be-safe-inside/611953/
  • Trudeau expected to face questions on how feds can help provinces test, trace COVID-19 https://globalnews.ca/news/6973077/coronavirus-justin-trudeau-contact-tracing-testing/
  • Here’s how NYC is using powerful UV light to kill the coronavirus on subways and buses https://www.theverge.com/2020/5/20/21265221/nyc-mta-ultraviolet-light-uvc-coronavirus-disinfect-puro-pictures
  • Rare look inside Toronto COVID-19 lab reveals equipment shortages and delays https://globalnews.ca/news/6979440/canada-covid-19-testing-process/
  • Burger King debuts 'social distance crowns' in Germany, as restaurants test quirky ways to keep customers apart https://www.businessinsider.com/burger-king-debuts-social-distancing-crowns-in-germany-2020-5

• Behaviour - the good, the bad, and the ugly:

  • Thousands of Canadian high school students expected to participate in virtual prom https://globalnews.ca/news/6976766/coronavirus-virtual-prom/
  • Isolation fatigue: Why some are ignoring distancing rules as Toronto reopens https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/isolation-fatigue-why-some-are-ignoring-distancing-rules-1.5582228
  • Why do people cheat at social distancing? https://globalnews.ca/news/6969090/coronavirus-social-distancing-2/
  • How the 'Plandemic' conspiracy theory took hold https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/may/23/how-the-plandemic-conspiracy-theory-took-hold
  • New Low for a Bad Patent: Patent Troll Sues Ventilator Company https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2020/05/new-low-bad-patent-patent-troll-sues-ventilator-company
  • Pastor Who Claimed To Cure Coronavirus With Faith Dies Of Coronavirus https://www.huffingtonpost.ca/entry/frankline-ndifor-pastor-cameroon_n_5ec60a00c5b6dfc078e0f7ee

• Masks, anti-maskers, and distancing:

  • Face masks can be problematic, dangerous to health of some Canadians https://globalnews.ca/news/6967625/coronavirus-canada-face-masks-disabilities/
  • We'll never look at an N95 mask the way again https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/624703/sara-little-turnbull-who-designed-n95-mask-using-bra-cup

PCI Compliance and Payments

News and announcements relating to Payment Security, PCI, Card Brands, Payments, Payment Malware and Fraud.

• PCI FAQs - 4 New - 1 Updated - P2PE, SSF, PFI

  • 1480 https://pcissc.secure.force.com/faq/articles/Frequently_Asked_Question/Which-P2PE-Program-Guide-vers-do-I-use
  • 1479 https://pcissc.secure.force.com/faq/articles/Frequently_Asked_Question/Can-PCI-listed-P2PE-v2-components-be-used-as-part-of-a-P2PE-ver3-solution
  • 1478 https://pcissc.secure.force.com/faq/articles/Frequently_Asked_Question/Can-PCI-listed-P2PE-ver3-components-be-used-as-part-of-a-P2PE-v2-solution
  • 1477 https://pcissc.secure.force.com/faq/articles/Frequently_Asked_Question/Are-software-vendors-wishing-to-undergo-validation-to-the-PCI-Secure-Software-Lifecycle-Secure-SLC-Standard-also-required-to-have-payment-software-listed-or-in-the-process-of-being-validated-to-the-PCI-Secure-Software-Standard
  • 1324 https://pcissc.secure.force.com/faq/articles/Frequently_Asked_Question/What-changes-are-PFI-companies-allowed-to-make-to-the-PFI-Reporting-Templates
  • Updated index of PCI FAQs https://controlgap.com/index-pci-frequently-asked-questions/
• Global Executive Assessor Roundtable Membership (GEAR 2020-2022) https://blog.pcisecuritystandards.org/2020-2022-global-executive-assessor-roundtable
• Magecart malware merrily sipped card details, evaded security scans on UK e-tailer Páramo for almost 8 months https://www.theregister.co.uk/2020/05/19/paramo_hack_magecart/
• A Rogue First Data ISO Will Cost Fiserv $40 Million in a Proposed Settlement With the FTC https://www.digitaltransactions.net/rogue-first-data-iso-will-cost-fiserv-40-million-in-a-proposed-settlement-with-the-ftc/
• Mastercard Also Extends EMV Liability Shift for Fuel Pumps https://www.digitaltransactions.net/mastercard-also-extends-emv-liability-shift-for-fuel-pumps/
• Rising Use of Digital Payments in Canada Is Likely a Permanent Trend https://www.digitaltransactions.net/rising-use-of-digital-payments-in-canada-is-likely-a-permanent-trend-interac-reports/

Breaches / Ransomware / Leaks

Covering breaches, leaks, data exposures, ransomware (as potential breach), and their fallout.

• Verizon’s 2020 Data Breach Investigations Report (DBIR) https://enterprise.verizon.com/resources/reports/dbir/
• How To Decode A Data Breach Notice https://www.datex.ca/blog/https/techcrunch.com/2020/05/19/decoding-data-breach-notice/
• Popular teen app Wishbone hacked (again), 40 million users’ info being given away https://www.databreaches.net/popular-teen-app-wishbone-hacked-again-40-million-users-info-being-given-away/
• Personal data of 29M Indian job seekers leaked on dark web https://indianexpress.com/article/technology/tech-news-technology/29-million-indian-job-seekers-data-leak-6424383/
• 25 million user records leak online from popular math app Mathway https://www.zdnet.com/article/25-million-user-records-leak-online-from-popular-math-app-mathway/
• EasyJet hackers stole data on 9 million customers and thousands of credit card numbers https://www.cnn.com/2020/05/19/business/easyjet-hack/index.html
• Data of 9 million customers of the Russian courier service leaked, but whose leak is it? https://www.databreaches.net/ru-data-of-9-million-customers-of-the-russian-courier-service-leaked-but-whose-leak-is-it/
• Zoomcar Data Hacked; 3.5 Million Users’ Details Sold On Dark Web https://www.gizbot.com/news/zoomcar-data-hacked-3-5-million-user-information-for-sale-067873.html
• Brazil's Biggest Cosmetic Brand Natura Exposes Personal Details of Its Users https://thehackernews.com/2020/05/natura-data-breach.html
• Nulled.ch - 43,491 breached accounts https://haveibeenpwned.com/PwnedWebsites#NulledCH
• Over 12,000 Hacked Domino’s Pizza Accounts Have Been Sold on the Dark Web https://www.comparitech.com/blog/information-security/hacked-dominos-pizza-accounts/
• Meal Kit Service Home Chef Confirms Data Breach https://www.securityweek.com/meal-kit-service-home-chef-confirms-data-breach
• UK: Over 190 Law Firms Affected by Advanced Data Leak That Exposed Over 10,000 Legal Documents https://www.databreaches.net/uk-over-190-law-firms-affected-by-advanced-data-leak-that-exposed-over-10000-legal-documents/
• BlockFi’s Data Breach May Allow Criminals to Extort Rich Clients https://www.databreaches.net/blockfis-data-breach-may-allow-criminals-to-extort-rich-clients/
• Five months after they were notified of a data breach, Prime Communication notifies 8,000 employees https://www.databreaches.net/five-months-after-they-were-notified-of-a-data-breach-prime-communication-notifies-8000-employees/
• Trump's press secretary may have flashed his personal banking information while displaying the check of his quarterly salary donation https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-press-secretary-may-have-revealed-private-bank-account-number-2020-5

• COVID related breaches - unemployment, stimulus, apps:

  • Data Breaches Impact Unemployment Benefit Applicants In Four States https://www.pymnts.com/news/security-and-risk/2020/data-breaches-impact-unemployment-benefit-applicants/
  • Florida joins ranks of states with unemployment application portal data security issues https://www.databreaches.net/florida-joins-ranks-of-states-with-unemployment-application-portal-data-security-issues/
  • Data breach in new Illinois online unemployment system exposes private information https://www.databreaches.net/data-breach-in-new-illinois-online-unemployment-system-exposes-private-information/
  • Serco shares email addresses of hundreds of contact tracers in ‘privacy breach’ https://www.databreaches.net/coronavirus-serco-shares-email-addresses-of-hundreds-of-contact-tracers-in-privacy-breach/
  • FBI investigating security breach of Arkansas’ self-employed aid website https://www.databreaches.net/fbi-investigating-security-breach-of-arkansas-self-employed-aid-website/
• Hackers Start Leaking Files Stolen From Shipping Giant Toll https://www.securityweek.com/hackers-start-leaking-files-stolen-shipping-giant-toll
• Ransomware Gang Posting Financial Details From Bank Attack https://www.bankinfosecurity.com/ransomware-gang-posting-financial-details-from-attack-a-14335
• Third Circuit Offers Blueprint for Defeating Data Breach Class Actions https://www.databreaches.net/third-circuit-offers-blueprint-for-defeating-data-breach-class-actions/
• Capital One Judge Skeptical That Breach Report Is Privileged https://www.databreaches.net/capital-one-judge-skeptical-that-breach-report-is-privileged/

Privacy

Articles about privacy related news, risks, and trends.

• COVID-19 Contact tracing and surveillance:

  • Apple and Google Release Contact-Tracing APIs for COVID-19 https://www.bankinfosecurity.com/apple-google-release-contact-tracing-apis-a-14313
  • What is coronavirus contact tracing and how important is it as Canada reopens? https://globalnews.ca/news/6977095/coronavirus-contact-tracing-canada-reopens/
  • Cybersecurity experts raise privacy concerns over contact tracing apps https://calgaryherald.com/news/cybersecurity-academics-call-for-technical-review-of-contact-tracing-apps
  • 'Time running out' for UK track and trace system https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-52748564
  • Plans to use coronavirus contact-tracing apps in parts of Europe facing setbacks https://globalnews.ca/news/6967596/coronavirus-pandemic-worldwide-may-21/
  • COVID-19 Patients’ Right to Privacy Against Quarantine Surveillance https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2020/05/covid-19-patients-right-privacy-against-quarantine-surveillance
  • French Court Bans the Use of Drone Surveillance to Enforce Covid-19 Lockdown https://epic.org/2020/05/french-court-bans-the-use-of-d.html
• Canada fines Facebook almost $6.5 million over ‘false’ data privacy claims https://www.databreaches.net/canada-fines-facebook-almost-6-5-million-over-false-data-privacy-claims/
• Apple's Siri violated 'the privacy of millions,' says whistleblower https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/news/apple-siri-iphone-privacy-breach-data-whistleblower-a9523951.html
• There's No Telling What Data Facebook Will Collect If You Use Its Zoom Clone https://theintercept.com/2020/05/20/facebook-messenger-rooms-video-call/
• Rogue ADT tech spied on hundreds of customers in their homes via CCTV https://www.theregister.co.uk/2020/05/19/adt_spying_lawsuit/
• A grandma in Holland has been ordered to remove pictures of her grandchildren from Facebook under a data protection law https://www.businessinsider.com/dutch-court-grandma-remove-grandchildren-pictures-facebook-gdpr-2020-5
• German Mass Surveillance Abroad is Ruled Unconstitutional https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2020/05/victory-german-mass-surveillance-abroad-ruled-unconstitutional
• Three Paper Thursday – GDPR anniversary edition https://www.lightbluetouchpaper.org/2020/05/21/three-paper-thursday-gdpr-anniversary-edition/
• Alt-Coin Traceability https://eprint.iacr.org/2020/593
• Reported tried to delete themself from the internet - what was learned https://www.cnn.com/2020/05/21/tech/deleting-personal-data-online/index.html

Laws & Regulations / Standards

News about laws, regulations, and standards affecting security, privacy,  technology, and public interest.

• N.S. woman challenges N.L. travel ban after being denied right to attend mother’s funeral https://globalnews.ca/news/6969192/n-s-woman-challenges-n-l-travel-ban/
• DoJ Blasts Apple on Lack of Encryption Backdoor - Again https://www.bankinfosecurity.com/doj-blasts-apple-on-encryption-backdoor-again-a-14302
• The FBI Backs Down Against Apple—Again https://www.wired.com/story/fbi-backs-down-apple-encryption-pensacola-iphones/
• Do we need tougher breach notification rules? https://www.databreaches.net/do-we-need-tougher-breach-notification-rules/
• What the Updated FISA Legislation Means for Your Privacy and How You Can Protect It https://www.comparitech.com/blog/vpn-privacy/updated-fisa-legislation-privacy/
• EFF to Appeals Court: Reverse Legal Gotchas on Ordinary Internet Activities https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2020/05/eff-appeals-court-reverse-legal-gotchas-ordinary-internet-activities
• Just turning your phone on qualifies as searching it, court rules https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2020/05/just-turning-your-phone-on-qualifies-as-searching-it-court-rules/

Defense / Techniques / Solutions

Covering developments and opportunities that may help improve security.

• Chrome: 70% of all security bugs are memory safety issues https://www.zdnet.com/article/chrome-70-of-all-security-bugs-are-memory-safety-issues/
• Chrome 83 Brings Enhanced Safe Browsing, New Privacy and Security Controls https://www.securityweek.com/chrome-83-brings-enhanced-safe-browsing-new-privacy-and-security-controls
• Windows 10 basics: how to change your sign-in settings https://www.theverge.com/21251230/windows-10-sign-in-settings-how-to-password-pin-fingerprint-picture-lock
• Signal adds PINs, which will help you move your profile across devices https://www.theverge.com/2020/5/20/21264971/signal-pins-security-privacy-profile-devices
• Google Messages may finally be adding end-to-end encryption for RCS https://www.theverge.com/2020/5/23/21268577/google-messages-end-to-end-encryption-rcs
• Wireshark 3.2.4 Released https://www.wireshark.org/docs/relnotes/wireshark-3.2.4.html
• Free ImmuniWeb Tool Allows Organizations to Check Dark Web Exposure https://www.securityweek.com/free-immuniweb-tool-allows-organizations-check-dark-web-exposure
• The Importance of C-Suite and Boards Engaging in Third-Party Cyber Risk Management https://www.sans.org/blog/the-importance-of-c-suite-and-boards-engaging-in-third-party-cyber-risk-management

Bugs / Design Flaws / Vulnerabilities / Research

Articles about newly discovered vulnerabilities and research.

• Windows Security Alert: Core System File Zero-Days Confirmed Unpatched https://www.forbes.com/sites/daveywinder/2020/05/23/windows-security-alert-four-new-zero-day-vulnerabilities-confirmed-unpatched/
• FBI warns about attacks on Magento online stores via old plugin vulnerability https://www.zdnet.com/article/fbi-warns-about-attacks-on-magento-online-stores-via-old-plugin-vulnerability/
• New Bluetooth Vulnerability Exposes Billions of Devices to Hackers https://thehackernews.com/2020/05/hacking-bluetooth-vulnerability.html
• Unpatched Open Source Libraries Leave 71% of Apps Vulnerable https://www.darkreading.com/application-security/unpatched-open-source-libraries-leave-71--of-apps-vulnerable-/d/d-id/1337856
• Critical Cisco Bug in Unified CCX Allows Remote Code Execution https://threatpost.com/critical-cisco-rce-flaw-unified-ccx/155980/
• Vulnerability Spotlight: Memory corruption vulnerability in GNU Glibc leaves smart vehicles open to attack https://blog.talosintelligence.com/2020/05/cve-2020-6096.html
• Cryptocurrency Hardware Wallets Can Get Hacked Too https://www.wired.com/story/cryptocurrency-hardware-wallets-can-get-hacked-too/
• Hackers Can Target Rockwell Industrial Software With Malicious EDS Files https://www.securityweek.com/hackers-can-target-rockwell-industrial-software-malicious-eds-files
• Schneier on Ramsey air-gap jumping malware https://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2020/05/ramsey_malware.html
• The Importance of BGP Security https://www.packetlabs.net/bgp-security/
• New DNS Vulnerability Lets Attackers Launch Large-Scale DDoS Attacks https://thehackernews.com/2020/05/dns-server-ddos-attack.html
• How Many Qubits Are Needed for Quantum Supremacy? https://spectrum.ieee.org/tech-talk/computing/hardware/qubit-supremacy
• How a Quantum Physicist Invented New Code to Achieve What Many Thought Was Impossible https://scitechdaily.com/how-a-quantum-physicist-invented-new-code-to-achieve-what-many-thought-was-impossible/

Hacking / Malware / Cybercrime / Exploitation

News covering active trends and events.

• COVID-19 Crime, Cybercrime, Fraud, ...:

  • Riding the State Unemployment Fraud ‘Wave’ https://krebsonsecurity.com/2020/05/riding-the-state-unemployment-fraud-wave/
  • Fraudulent Unemployment, COVID-19 Relief Claims Earn BEC Gang Millions https://threatpost.com/fraudulent-unemployment-covid-19-relief-claims-earn-bec-gang-millions/155925/
  • Criminals and the Normalization of Masks https://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2020/05/criminals_and_t.html
• The ransomware that attacks you from inside a virtual machine https://nakedsecurity.sophos.com/2020/05/22/the-ransomware-that-attacks-you-from-inside-a-virtual-machine/
• Windows malware opens RDP ports on PCs for future remote access https://www.zdnet.com/article/windows-malware-opens-rdp-ports-on-pcs-for-future-remote-access/
• Hackers infect multiple game developers with advanced malware https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2020/05/hackers-infect-multiple-game-developers-with-advanced-malware/
• Ukraine Nabs Suspect in 773M Password ‘Megabreach’ https://krebsonsecurity.com/2020/05/ukraine-nabs-suspect-in-773m-password-megabreach/, https://threatpost.com/alleged-hacker-behind-massive-collection-1-data-dump-arrested/155915/ and https://www.zdnet.com/article/hacker-arrested-in-ukraine-for-selling-billions-of-stolen-credentials/
• Retired city worker arrested for rapes of UC students after ancestry database ties https://www.lawenforcementtoday.com/dna-ancestry-database-leads-to-rapists-arrest-almost-30-years-later/

Other Security / Risk

Articles covering other types of risks.

• COVID-19 Other risks and impact:

  • Spy agency flags possible security breaches at Canadian pandemic research facilities https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/cse-research-compromises-1.5577744
  • Why America Resists Learning From Other Countries https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2020/05/coronavirus-could-end-american-exceptionalism/611605/
  • The DHS Prepares for Attacks Fueled by 5G Conspiracy Theories https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2020/05/prepare-for-cell-tower-attacks-by-5g-covid-19-conspiracy-theorists-us-warns/
  • Canada’s inflation rate dips 0.2% in April https://globalnews.ca/news/6962818/canada-inflation-april-2020-coronavirus/
  • The Bank of England admitted for the first time it's considering negative interest rates https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/negative-interest-rates-possible-bank-of-england-says-020-5-1029222740
  • The argument for negative interest rates in the US has strengthened https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/negative-interest-rates-argument-us-strengthened-goldman-says-below-zero-2020-5-1029220004
  • The coronavirus pandemic could cost the global economy a nightmarish $82 trillion over 5 years https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/coronavirus-pandemic-cost-global-economy-82-trillion-cambridge-study-2020-5-1029218887
  • Robocalls - unlikely victim of the coronavirus pandemic https://globalnews.ca/news/6973989/cornavirus-pandemic-robocalls/
  • 80 million children can’t get vaccines because of the coronavirus pandemic https://globalnews.ca/news/6973926/routine-vaccination-coronavirus-report/
  • IBM laying off thousands, seeking “flexibility” during COVID-19 crisis https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2020/05/ibm-laying-off-thousands-seeking-flexibility-during-covid-19-crisis/
  • Dyson's UK staff revolt against order to return to work https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2020/may/21/dysons-uk-staff-revolt-against-order-to-return-to-work-coronavirus
  • The Covid-19 pandemic has catapulted one mysterious data website to prominence, sowing confusion in international rankings https://www.cnn.com/interactive/2020/05/world/worldometer-coronavirus-mystery/
  • Global CO2 emissions could drop by as much as 7% in 2020 due to pandemic https://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/co2-emissions-pandemic-1.5575391
  • Starving rats are reportedly turning into cannibals and attacking one other as their restaurant food supply disappears https://www.businessinsider.com/coronavirus-hungry-rats-grow-aggressive-as-us-restaurants-remain-shut-2020-5
  • Friendly dolphins ‘missing’ human interaction amid COVID-19 pandemic, bringing gifts from the sea https://globalnews.ca/news/6973842/dolphin-pod-brings-gifts/
• ‘Flight risk’ employees involved in 60% of insider cybersecurity incidents https://www.zdnet.com/article/flight-risk-employees-involved-in-60-of-insider-cybersecurity-incidents/
• Bart Gellman on Snowden https://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2020/05/bart_gellman_on.html
• AI and Cybersecurity https://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2020/05/ai_and_cybersec.html
• (Disturbing) Artificial intelligence can make personality judgments based on our photographs https://scienmag.com/artificial-intelligence-can-make-personality-judgments-based-on-our-photographs/
• This Service Helps Malware Authors Fix Flaws in their Code https://krebsonsecurity.com/2020/05/this-service-helps-malware-authors-fix-flaws-in-their-code/
• Xbox Live went down as Microsoft experienced ‘multiple’ service outages https://www.theverge.com/2020/5/22/21267983/xbox-live-down-outage-microsoft-365-issues
• (Defaults) 'Weasels have eaten our phone system' — Citi customers trying to call customer service were met with the same odd prompt https://www.businessinsider.com/citi-customer-support-weasels-eaten-phone-prompt-twitter-confusion-asterisk-2020-5
• Incels labelled violent extremists in latest CSIS annual report https://globalnews.ca/news/6965806/incels-violent-extremism-csis-report/
• A Devastating US 'Dust Bowl' Is Twice as Likely Now Than During The Great Depression https://www.sciencealert.com/us-dust-bowl-is-now-twice-as-likely-to-return-thanks-to-climate-change
• 40 Years of Data Confirm Hurricanes Are Getting Stronger https://www.sciencealert.com/hurricanes-really-are-getting-stronger-and-there-s-a-likely-human-fingerprint
• Atlantic hurricane season starts June 1, experts forecast up to 6 major storms https://www.businessinsider.com/atlantic-hurricane-season-start-forecast-above-average-2020-5
• ‘Do not recycle your cannonballs’: Michigan plant evacuated after bizarre finding https://globalnews.ca/news/6974123/cannonball-found-recycling-plant/
• Breached dam in Michigan flooding had 14-year history of safety violations https://globalnews.ca/news/6967238/michigan-flooding-dam-safety/
• It's Official: Study Shows Dr Google Really Is Wrong More Often Than Not https://www.sciencealert.com/here-s-why-googling-your-symptoms-instead-of-seeing-a-doctor-is-a-really-bad-idea
• The South Atlantic Anomaly where the Earth's magnetic field is mysteriously weakening, causing satellites and spacecraft to malfunction https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/news/earth-magnetic-field-satellites-space-a9528571.html
• Satoshi Nakamoto, is that you? Bitcoin mined in 2009 moves for the first time https://thenextweb.com/hardfork/2020/05/20/bitcoin-satoshi-nakaboto-return-cryptocurrency-2009-moved-first-time/
• Australian man fined for rescuing whale from sea nets https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-australia-52717573
• Flat Earthers Are Flat Wrong https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/flat-earthers-are-flat-wrong/
• Man makes money buying his own pizza on DoorDash app https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-52724062
• Dutch spies helped Britain's GCHQ break Argentine crypto during Falklands War https://www.theregister.co.uk/2020/05/18/maximator_euro_spy_alliance_falklands_war/
• How a fake stamp led to the capture of Nazi SS leader Heinrich Himmler https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-52755565

Off-Topic / Science & Tech / Lighter Side

A variety of scientific, technical, historical, and more light-hearted news.

• Scientists Reveal a Proof-of-Concept Bionic Human Eye https://www.sciencealert.com/scientists-reveal-a-marvellous-proof-of-concept-bionic-human-eye
• Engineers Successfully Test New Chip With Download Speeds of 44.2 Terabits Per Second https://www.sciencealert.com/this-optical-chip-could-allow-us-to-download-1000-high-definition-movies-per-second
• NASA and SpaceX say they are ‘go’ to proceed with historic crewed flight on May 27th https://www.theverge.com/2020/5/22/21267949/nasa-spacex-falcon-9-crew-dragon-astronaut-launch-readiness-review
• Jupiter is so Big that our Solar System almost had two Suns https://www.universetoday.com/146157/jupiter-is-so-big-that-our-solar-system-almost-had-two-suns/
• Astronomers Have Just Detected a New Kind of Asteroid https://www.sciencealert.com/astronomers-have-just-spotted-a-new-kind-of-asteroid
• Astronomers May Have Spotted a Tiny Moon in The Outer Solar System https://www.sciencealert.com/a-possible-dwarf-planet-in-the-outer-solar-system-could-have-moon-nearly-half-its-size
• No, NASA did not discover a parallel universe where time runs backwards https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/no-nasa-did-not-discover-a-parallel-universe-where-time-runs-backwards
• Unbelievable sudoku puzzle solution in 25 minutes from just 2 numbers https://www.theverge.com/tldr/2020/5/18/21262771/sudoku-puzzle-cracking-the-cryptic-watch-this-video-simon-anthony