Privacy OS Tails Introduces Screen Lock

A new version of the privacy-oriented operating system Tails has been released that now also offers users the possibility to lock their screen. When users have set an administrator password, they can unlock the screen.

Otherwise, a separate password can be set for the first time the screen is locked. Furthermore, Tails 3.6 contains various upgrades, security updates and other adjustments. Tails stands for The Amnesic Incognito Live System and is a fully Linux-based operating system that contains all kinds of tools to anonymously use the internet. It can be used from a DVD or USB stick and is recommended by various civil rights movements and privacy experts. Some 22,000 people use Tails every day.

Mozilla Improves Privacy Protection In Firefox

Mozilla has released new test version of Firefox that should better protect the privacy of users. All browsers now offer an option like "Private Browsing" or "Incognito Mode". These features are primarily aimed to make locally on the computer no trace.

For example, things like websites visited and cookies afterwards removed. According to Mozilla that users of Private Browsing, however, that they want more control over their privacy then provides the function at this time. Therefore, the Private Browsing function is modified so that certain parts of websites are blocked. It is in this case parts that follow users across multiple websites.

Some parties set Mozilla has incorporated a AdBlocker in Firefox this way. Martin Brinkmann of gHacks however, that the function does not block ads, but just famous tracking servers. Mozilla warns that some sites may not work anymore as the tracking components are blocked. However, users can at any time activate the block tracking components. For now, the feature is only available in the Developer Edition of Firefox 42 , which is available for Linux, Mac and Windows.

Incognito Mode Does Not Protect Against Super Cookies

Users who use the incognito or private browsing mode of their browser are still to follow through so-called "super cookies", according to an online test of the British developer Sam Greenhalgh . The problem is caused by a security measure called "HTTP Strict Transport Security" (HSTS). The measure ensures that websites only be accessed through a secure connection.

In case a website HSTS enabled the browser via a special "flag" remember and ensure that there is made only over HTTPS connection. If the user specifies HTTP in the address he is automatically redirected to HTTPS. However, this automatic forwarding can also be used by a malicious website to save a unique number in the user's browser and follow him. This number can then be read by other websites. HSTS can also be used as a tracking mechanism in this way.

To give users more privacy browsers have for some time been added incognito or private browsing mode. These cookies are not shared with existing web sites and the user can delete the cookies so they can be tracked online. Because HSTS is a security measure and is not really meant for tracking, browsers go it differently than is the case with cookies.

Some browsers such as Google Chrome, Firefox and Opera are trying to resolve this issue by removing both cookies stored as HSTS-flags. According to Greenhalgh, existing HSTS-flags, unlike cookies, or shared with other websites, even if the user incognito or private browsing mode enabled. In the case of Safari, the problem seems to be even greater because Safari users on an Apple device have no possibility to remove the HSTS-flags. She even be synchronized with iCloud, so they can be returned if the user clears his extension.

"I do not know if the technique is used in the wild to track users, although that does not mean that this is not so," said Greenhalgh. He calls the technical community to see how the tracking area can be resolved while the value of HSTS retained. In a response to Google Chrome Security Team states that there are measures added to the browser to address the problem, but it is ultimately a tradeoff between security and privacy. This form of "fingerprinting" would therefore not be solved unless fundamental changes are made to the way the web works. "

CyanogenMod 12 Manages Root Privileges via Privacy Guard

The popular Android ROM CyanogenMod will in the latest version no longer use a separate app for managing root privileges. This will namely be done via the built Privacy Guard System, reports Android Police. CyanogenMod is a customized version of the Android operating system that can install owners of get rooted smartphone.

At this time the developers work on CyanogenMod 12 based on Android Lollipop. From modifications to the code that the Superuser access no longer requires a separate app, but through Privacy Guard will be arranged. Privacy Guard, formerly known yet if Incognito Mode is part of the operating system that allows users to set permissions important apps. When CyanogenMod 12 appears is still unknown.