Archive for October 30, 2017

#Fail: USB Stick Containing Heathrow Airport Security Details Found In The Street

Posted in Commentary with tags on October 30, 2017 by itnerd

If something deserves a #fail it is this. Many outlets including The Sunday Mirror are reporting on the discovery of a USB stick on the street in West London that contained the following:

The USB stick – containing 76 folders with maps, videos and ­documents – was not encrypted and did not require a password.

The man who found it plugged it into a library computer and was alarmed at what he saw. It revealed:

  • The exact route the Queen takes when using the airport and security measures used to protect her.
  • Files disclosing every type of ID needed – even those used by covert cops – to access restricted areas.
  • A timetable of patrols that was used to guard the site against suicide bombers and terror attacks.
  • Maps pinpointing CCTV cameras and a network of tunnels and escape shafts linked to the Heathrow Express.
  • Routes and safeguards for Cabinet ministers and foreign dignitaries.
  • Details of the ultrasound radar system used to scan runways and the perimeter fence.

Encryption? Passwords? Why use those to protect such sensitive information? Totally not required. That was clearly the thought process here.

Seriously though this is a screw up of epic proportions. The person who lost that USB stick should get sacked for that. But more importantly, those who let it out the door without encrypting it first and password protecting it should also get sacked. This is the era of epic pwnage where hackers are out to get info like this. Why would you want to make their job easier by just having this sort of info in a format that is easy to get to?

#Fail indeed.

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10 million People Use LinkedIn’s Open Candidates Feature

Posted in Commentary with tags on October 30, 2017 by itnerd

One year since LinkedIn introduced Open Candidates – the discreet setting members can use to signal to recruiters that they are open to new opportunities, without alerting their network or employers – more than 10 million LinkedIn members are currently using the feature, and flying under the boss’s radar.

Open Candidates makes life easier for job-seekers and recruiters alike. For job-seekers, simply turning on your Open Candidates signal makes you twice as likely to receive relevant messages from recruiters, and for recruiters, Open Candidates are twice as likely to respond.

Today, LinkedIn also announces several new improvements to Open Candidates:

  • Easier than ever to enable: Your LinkedIn profile you can now let recruiters know you’re open in the Career Interests section within Your Dashboard (only you can see this section)
  • Tailored for the opportunities best suited to you: Members can input their preferences –specific job titles, what cities they want to work in, and how soon they’re looking to make a move – so recruiters can identify their dream job.
  • Coming soon: Personalized suggestions to help members improve their profile, and unique insights on how much attention they’re getting from recruiters.

To learn more about the Open Candidates, please visit LinkedIn’s blog.

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