Sometimes in Windows, when you double click on a file to open it (e.g. a file that’s been sent to you) the wrong app can open. Here’s how to make sure you select the right app for your file: - Right-click your file. - Choose Open with, then Choose another…

Even though, in an interview this week, President Trump appeared to absolve Russia of election interference (since retracted), the US Department of Justice has now charged 12 Russian intelligence officers with hacking Democratic officials in the 2016 US elections. (more…)

A new offshoot of Cambridge Analytica, the disgraced data analysis company at the heart of the Facebook personal data sharing scandal, has been set up by former members of staff under the name ‘Auspex’. (more…)

The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has been criticised for a lack of regulation of the use of the term “fibre” in broadband adverts, which has meant that some consumers may have been misled. (more…)

A Poll by the Royal College of Surgeons using freedom of information requests has revealed that 8,946 fax machines are still in use in NHS Trusts in England. (more…)

Microsoft has announced the launch of a free version of its collaborative chat app ‘Teams’ which doesn’t require an Office 365 subscription. (more…)

Researchers at Northeastern University have found several ‘alarming’ privacy holes within popular Android apps – these include taking and distributing photos and screenshots without the users’ express knowledge. The research paper evaluated nearly 18,000 apps in the Google Play marketplace and they reported that some apps would take screenshots whilst others would covertly record conversations. (more…)

Islington, a council in London, could have breached the Payment Cards Industry (PCI) Security Standards Council’s rules on data security standards. The council sent email requests with Word application forms for payment of local parking permits. The council told the BBC, “We have begun an internal investigation into the process of applying for and paying for parking bay suspensions. In the short term, we have removed that form from our website.” (more…)

The giant online ticketing emporium, Ticketmaster, was the victim of a massive data breach which was a result of numerous failures – including the monitoring of subcontractors. The hack, according to Wired Magazine, was identified by Monzo, the start-up app-based banking service, who noticed a correlation between fraudulent activity and Ticketmaster purchases. Yet, when the company approached Ticketmaster, the giant ticketing platform did nothing. The ICO is investigating and has released a statement: (more…)

The Information Commissioner’s Office has launched its second round of grant funding for organisations exploring data privacy in order to source and promote robust and independent data privacy information solutions. The purpose of the scheme is to award grants worth £20,000-£100,000 to help explore data privacy that have “real world solutions that are of clear benefit to the people of the UK.” The head of the ICO, Elizabeth Denham, stated: (more…)