Apple to take public powers’ role in children protection

Apple anticipates Italy and the European Union and announces the forthcoming adoption of technological tools that, in order to protect minors, will analyse the contents conveyed through its products. At stake is not (only) privacy, but above all national political sovereignty, writes Andrea Monti, adjunct professor of Digital Law at the University of Chieti-Pescara – Initially published in Italian by Formiche.net Continue reading “Apple to take public powers’ role in children protection”

Regione Lazio, a ransomware and the Italian public policy about digital technology

The ransomware that hit the Regione Lazio infrastructure exposes once again the decades-old problem of the Italian public policy on technology. There has been a time when the Country had the chance to decide for the best. It did not by Andrea Monti – Initially published in Italian by Strategikon – an Italian Tech Blog. Continue reading “Regione Lazio, a ransomware and the Italian public policy about digital technology”

SIM hijacking, security measures and bank’s liability

Threats change, but security measures to protect account holders do not. Can banks still blame users in case of frauds? by Andrea Monti – Originally published in Italian by Infosec News

One of the many recent cases reported by the press in Italy accounts for the umpteenth fraud committed against a bank account holder exploiting a SIM hijacking attack. Not even a week ago, I had to deal with a similar case, where through a social engineering attack, the scammers mislead the customer into giving them by telephone the OTP to finalise the fraudulent transaction.

In many cases, the victim manages to obtain a refund of the stolen amount, but in others the bank refuses, claiming the client’s negligence for not recognising the fraudulent nature of the criminal behaviour. In other words and rough terms: the bank does not pay for the outcomes of the stupidity or ignorance of the victim.

However, is that so? Continue reading “SIM hijacking, security measures and bank’s liability”

Facebook and Telegram seizures reveal the problems that plague the online criminal investigations

by Andrea Monti – Originally published in Italian by Infosec.News

An article published on page 30 of IlSole24Ore of 11 November 2020 reports on the seizure-by-access-blocking of Facebook and Telegram by the Public Prosecutor’s Office of Naples. According to the newspaper, the Public Prosecutor’s Office ordered a “seizure-by-obscuration” of several domain names and a significant number of IPs.

The Guardia di Finanza (Italian tax police force) notified the magistrate’s decision to the operators and internet service providers. While the latter are executing the magistrate’s order, a further note from the Guardia di Finanza arrives asking them not to follow up the inhibition or in any case unblock sixty-six domain names, among which the first two are Facebook (it-it.facebook.com) and Telegram (t.me). Continue reading “Facebook and Telegram seizures reveal the problems that plague the online criminal investigations”