This month, we saw the technology industry seemingly take a step in the wrong direction.
With the CrowdStrike outage, Google electing to keep third-party cookies, and more journalists receiving “spyware” warnings on their iPhones, the need to emphasize organizational privacy and security seem more important than ever.
Here’s a brief roundup of the stories I’m following this month.
Google Chrome Third-Party Cookies Live to See Another Day
Google announces third-party cookies will remain on the Google Chrome browser, abandoning their much-anticipated plan to remove the cookies altogether.
The Privacy Sandbox Project
The Privacy Sandbox, a project set to replace third-party cookies by allowing users to customize how they are tracked online, will continue to be developed, offering alternative ways for consumers to opt in.
Key Takeaway
Cookies will remain on Chrome as questions arise about Privacy Sandbox.
CrowdStrike IT Outage Continues to Worry Cyber Security Experts
A glitch from security company CrowdStrike pushed a corrupted software update to customers, including Microsoft. Hackers are now using the largest IT outage in history to take advantage of approximately 8.5 million users, sending cybersecurity experts into panic mode.
Key Takeaway
Hackers could exploit CrowdStrike vulnerabilities, with 8.5 million computers at risk.
Wiz.io Rejects $23 Billion Acquisition Offer from Google
Cloud security platform Wiz.io decided against taking a $23 billion offer from Google, which would have been the company’s largest acquisition to date. Wiz CEO Assaf Rappaport says the company will now focus on an initial public offering and growing the business to generate $1 billion in annual revenue.
Key Takeaway
Wiz.io turned down an eye-popping offer from Google, as they refocus their efforts on becoming one of the largest cybersecurity firms on Earth.
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iPhone Users in 98 Countries Report “Spyware” Warnings
Apple sends out another “spyware” warning just three months after the last incident, claiming individuals are being targeted because of “who they are and what they do”. Certain professionals in news media and journalism have claimed to be the victim of these targeted iPhone “spyware” attacks.
Key Takeaway
Professionals in news media and journalism have received another round of targeted iPhone “spyware” attacks.
Know Your Passenger Rights Amidst Delta Disaster
Travelers describe their airport nightmares as Delta cancels a record number of flights due to a major IT outage, and Delta customers begin to exercise their passenger rights as they fight for reimbursement on canceled flights.
Key Takeaway
Airline passengers need to know their rights this busy travel season.
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The CrowdStrike Breach in Numbers
- 30% of all Delta flights canceled Monday (link)
- 41% of flights disrupted Tuesday (link)
- 8.5 million computers affected by Crowdstike’s major outage (link)
- Upwards of 5,500 Delta Flights canceled after IT outage Friday (link)
- iPhone users in 98 countries are hit with “spyware” warnings (link)
- 911 emergency services were affected in various states (link)
- Hackers impersonated CrowdStrike Staff via fake phone calls (link)
