Instagram tool accidentally exposed some user passwords

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The woes and security faux pas Instagram and its parent company Facebook doesn’t seem to end. It was recently reported that Instagram’s Download Your Data tool had a security flaw that accidentally leaked passwords in plain text. The tool was designed to let users get a file of all the pictures, comments, and other information they’ve shared on the platform be downloadable. It was rolled out in April to comply with new data privacy regulations in Europe as well as address any privacy concerns users had in the middle of the Cambridge Analytica scandal. Unfortunately, there was a security issue that included passwords being sent in plaintext in the URL. And for some reason, these were stored on Facebook’s servers, too. But the company said these have since been deleted. The issue has also been fixed, according to Instagram.

According to a spokesperson from the company, only a “small number of people” were affected and they were informed if they were affected by the security vulnerability. If you didn’t hear anything from Instagram, it means you’re safe. But if you’ve used the tool, it might be better to start updating those passwords and activating two-factor authentication for good measure. And if you use that password for other accounts, better update passwords there, too.

Source: Digital Trends

Apple watchOS 5.1 update bricks some Apple Watches

It’s always prudent to not update your devices immediately when software updates come out. And that seems to be the case with the new update for Apple’s watchOS platform. The company has already pulled the watchOS 5.1 update, which has bricked some devices after installing it. Some of the users have gotten stuck on the Apple logo as soon as they upgraded to the new operating system. Restarting the Apple Watch and iPhone pairing doesn’t help.

And unfortunately, it seems the only solution Apple has now is sending the units back to be fixed. Not exactly, the best way to start off selling the new Watches or even handling the old ones. According to BBC, one owner has even been told it’ll take the company’s repair staff a week to ascertain if his new Apple Watch Series 4 model needs to be repaired or replaced. It’s unclear how many users are affected by the issue, but this is something Apple has to fix fast.

Microsoft pulls Windows 10 October 2018 update after reports surface that it’s deleting files

Microsoft has pulled the Windows 10 October 2018 Update (version 1809) after reports have surfaced that it’s been deleting personal files in some users’ document folders. Thankfully, Microsoft hasn’t pushed the update to install automatically yet but for those who had their files deleted, Microsoft is recommending that they contact the company directly. Microsoft has also taken down the link to the update. Some of the other complaints about the update include the Microsoft Edge browser and other store apps not being able to connect to the internet and some users have the update blocked because of Intel driver incompatibilities.

Source: Engadget + The Verge

Google confirms it’s looking into the battery drain bug affecting Pixel 2 and 2 XL users

Review: Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL

You may or may not have noticed the battery on your Pixel 2 or 2 XL draining faster than usual. You’re not alone. A bunch of pixel users have been complaining of this issue after the February security patch was released. Google stayed silent about the matter for a while but now the company at least acknowledges it’s looking into the problem. A community manager on the company’s user forums confirmed they are investigating the issue. There are big releases yet to remedy the issue but for now they are “reaching out privately” for bug reports.

The issue revolves around battery levels dropping faster than usual and some even report their phones are taking longer to charge as well. And it seems even some original Pixel users have been experiencing these issues. Here’s to hoping Google fixes this relatively quickly.

Source: 9to5Google