Best & Worst Gifts for 2024

Firewalls Don't Stop Dragons Podcast

Holiday shopping season is here! And today I’ll give you the highlights of my annual Best & Worst Gift Guide for 2024, with regard to privacy and security. The worst offenders may not surprise you, though some have actually gotten worse since just last year. And I have a few new suggestions for people on your nice list!

In the news this week: another popular browser extension has gone rogue; Mozilla laid off 30% of their staff; FBI warns that bad guys are filing fraudulent emergency data requests to steal your private info; Apple quietly introduces a brilliant security feature that is frustrating cops; Microsoft will stop providing security updates for Windows 10 next October; a free decryptor was released for ShrinkLocker ransomware; Signal offers new call link feature; an air fryer app is sending your data to China; and Apple announces feature to share AirTag location with others including airlines to help find lost luggage.

Article Links

1. [cyberinsider.com] Popular Chrome Extension to Hide YouTube Shorts Turned Malicious https://cyberinsider.com/popular-chrome-extension-to-hide-youtube-shorts-turned-malicious/
2. [Tech Crunch] Mozilla Foundation lays off 30% staff, drops advocacy division https://techcrunch.com/2024/11/05/mozilla-foundation-lays-off-30-staff-drops-advocacy-division/
3. [Tech Crunch] FBI says hackers are sending fraudulent police data requests to tech giants to steal people’s private information https://techcrunch.com/2024/11/08/fbi-says-hackers-are-sending-fraudulent-police-data-requests-to-tech-giants-to-steal-peoples-private-information/
4. [404media.co] Apple Quietly Introduced iPhone Reboot Code Which is Locking Out Cops https://www.404media.co/apple-quietly-introduced-iphone-reboot-code-which-is-locking-out-cops/
5. [blog.0patch.com] Long Live Windows 10… With 0patch https://blog.0patch.com/2024/06/long-live-windows-10-with-0patch.html
6. [The Hacker News] Free Decryptor Released for BitLocker-Based ShrinkLocker Ransomware Victims https://thehackernews.com/2024/11/free-decryptor-released-for-bitlocker.html
7. [signal.org] Improving Private Signal Calls: Call Links & More https://signal.org/blog/call-links/
8. [malwarebytes.com] Air fryers are the latest surveillance threat you didn’t consider https://www.malwarebytes.com/blog/news/2024/11/air-fryers-are-the-latest-surveillance-threat-you-didnt-consider
9. [macrumors.com] Apple Announces iOS 18.2’s New AirTag Location Sharing Feature Coming to These 15+ Airlines https://www.macrumors.com/2024/11/11/apple-announces-airtag-location-sharing/
10. Best & Worst Gift Guide 2024! https://firewallsdontstopdragons.com/best-worst-gifts-2024/

Further Info

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Table of Contents

Use these timestamps to jump to a particular section of the show.

• 0:00:50: Update Android phones
• 0:01:23: News preview
• 0:03:23: Popular Chrome Extension to Hide YouTube Shorts Turned Malicious
• 0:10:30: Mozilla Foundation lays off 30% staff, drops advocacy division
• 0:14:06: FBI says hackers are sending fraudulent police data requests to steal people’s private info
• 0:19:59: Apple Quietly Introduced iPhone Reboot Code Which is Locking Out Cops
• 0:29:46: Long Live Windows 10… With 0patch
• 0:39:54: Free Decryptor Released for BitLocker-Based ShrinkLocker Ransomware Victims
• 0:42:45: Improving Private Signal Calls: Call Links & More
• 0:45:23: Air fryers are the latest surveillance threat you didn’t consider
• 0:48:28: Apple Announces iOS 18.2’s New AirTag Location Sharing Feature
• 0:51:40: Tip of the Week: Best & Worst Gift Guide
• 0:56:38: Worst Gifts
• 0:59:31: Best Gifts
• 1:06:32: Dragon book and coupons
• 1:09:55: Wrapping up