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search engine
Cyber Crime Data Privacy Indonesia Malicious Content search engine

Indonesia Bans Search Engine DuckDuckGo

 

Bad news for anyone concerned about their privacy who lives in or plans to visit Indonesia in the near future. As authorities ramp up their efforts to combat illegal online gambling and pornography, online privacy suffers as a result. DuckDuckGo, a private search engine, is the first casualty. 

On Friday, August 2, 2024, government officials told Reuters that the safe search engine had been disabled due to increasing complaints about online gambling and pornography content in its search results. According to local reports, the government intends to restrict access to free VPN services as part of a nationwide crackdown on criminal online activities. 

Privacy at risk 

As mentioned before, DuckDuckGo is a privacy tool that millions of individuals across the world use every day to browse anonymously and secure their private data. Enforcing a ban on its use deprives people who reside in or travel to Indonesia of a useful tool for protecting their online privacy. 

Access to the top VPN apps is also at risk, which is a recipe for disaster in terms of privacy. A virtual private network (VPN) is a type of security software that encrypts your internet connections and masks your IP address location. While both functions increase your online privacy, the latter also allows you to access geo-restricted content. 

This means you may not be able to use a streaming VPN to continue viewing your favourite TV series when travelling across the country. Worse, citizens and travellers will be unable to circumvent the current internet limitations. Indonesia, home to the world's biggest Muslim population, has strong restrictions against sharing unlawful or obscene online information. This is why, in addition to gambling and pornographic websites, social media platforms such as Reddit and Vimeo have been blocked. 

Given that the ban on free VPNs is not in effect at the time of writing, using a VPN remains the easiest way to circumvent internet restrictions and continue using DuckDuckGo, Reddit, and any other services that are currently banned. 

After you've downloaded your preferred app, all you have to do is connect to a server outside of the country - security experts suggest one in a region where internet access is unrestricted. This will trick your internet service provider (ISP) into believing you are in the same location as the server and, as a result, allow you access.
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US Department Of Justice
Algorithm Data Breach Data Leak Google Google Hacked Google Search History search engine SEO US Department Of Justice

Google Confirms Leak of 2,500 Internal Documents on Search Algorithm

 

In a significant incident, Google has confirmed the leak of 2,500 internal documents, exposing closely guarded information about its search ranking algorithm. This breach was first highlighted by SEO experts Rand Fishkin and Mike King of The Verge, who sought confirmation from Google via email. After multiple requests, Google spokesperson Davis Thompson acknowledged the leak, urging caution against making inaccurate assumptions based on potentially out-of-context, outdated, or incomplete information.  

The leaked data has stirred considerable interest, particularly as it reveals that Google considers the number of clicks when ranking web pages. This contradicts Google’s longstanding assertion that such metrics are not part of their ranking criteria. Despite this revelation, The Verge report indicates that it remains unclear which specific data points are actively used in ranking. It suggests that some of the information might be outdated, used strictly for training, or collected without being directly applied to search algorithms. 

Thompson responded to the allegations by emphasizing Google's commitment to transparency about how Search works and the factors their systems consider. He also highlighted Google's efforts to protect the integrity of search results from manipulation. This response underscores the complexity of Google's algorithm and the company's ongoing efforts to balance transparency and safeguarding its proprietary technology. The leak comes when the intricacies of Google's search algorithm are under intense scrutiny. 

Recent documents and testimony in the US Department of Justice antitrust case have already provided glimpses into the signals Google uses when ranking websites. This incident adds another layer of insight, though it also raises questions about the security of sensitive information within one of the world’s largest tech companies. Google’s decisions about search rankings have far-reaching implications. From small independent publishers to large online businesses, many rely on Google’s search results for visibility and traffic. 

The revelation of these internal documents not only impacts those directly involved in SEO and digital marketing but also sparks broader discussions about data security and the transparency of algorithms that significantly influence online behaviour and commerce. As the fallout from this leak continues, it serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between protecting proprietary information and the public’s interest in understanding the mechanisms that shape their online experiences. Google’s ongoing efforts to clarify and defend its practices will be crucial in navigating the challenges posed by this unprecedented exposure of its internal workings.
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User Security
Data Privacy Mobile Security Private Data search engine User Security

Here's How You Can Remove Private Info From Google Search Results

 

Have you ever come across something about yourself that was private or secret in a search engine result? That would not only be embarrassing, but it might also raise security risks like identity theft.

Google is trying to make it less complicated for you to locate and delete any personal information that appears in a search now. The search engine giant highlighted new privacy features and tools in a blog post earlier this week in an effort to help you safeguard your personal information. 

The first thing on the list is a new dashboard for an existing feature called 'Results about you'. This function, which was introduced in 2022, allows you to keep track of any personal information that appears in a search result so that you can ask Google to delete it. 

With the help of a recent upgrade, the 'Results about you' dashboard will not only assist you in finding those particulars but also enable you to ask for their removal using the same tool. The function will also notify you if fresh information starts to show up in open search results. 

You may access the dashboard by visiting the Results about your website on the web or by clicking your account photo in the Google mobile app and choosing Results about you. Run a name search on Google from there. For the purpose of limiting the results, you might need to include your city and state.

If a search generates your email address, phone number, or home address, you can request that Google remove the information by clicking or touching the three-dot icon and selecting Remove result. Next, specify why you want the data erased. Complete the remaining steps before submitting the request to Google.

In response, the company will analyse your request to see if it fits the policy standards for removal, which could take a few days. If your request gets approved, Google will eliminate the specific result you specified. You can also check on your requests at the dashboard, which displays all requests, including those in process, accepted, denied, and undone.

However, keep in mind that deleting items from a Google search does not actually remove the content. By going directly to the source website or employing a different search engine, people might still be able to locate it.
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Technology
Artificial Intelligence ChatGPT Google Microsoft OpenAI search engine Technology

Google's Search Engine Received AI Updates

 


Microsoft integrated GPT-4 into Bing earlier this year, complementing the previous development. Google's CEO, Sundar Pichai, recently announced that the company would completely reimagine how all of its core products, including search, are implemented. To ensure the success of this system, only a limited number of users will be able to use it while it is still in an experimental phase. 

With advances in artificial intelligence, Alphabet Inc (GOOGL.O) is rolling out some new features to its core search engine so that it can capture some of the consumer excitement generated recently by Microsoft Corp (MSFT.O) upgrading its rival search engine, Bing. 

This week, Google, at its annual developer conference in Mountain View, California, announced that it would offer a new version of its name-brand search engine. With the Search Generative Experience, Google has reinvented the way it responds to inquiries by allowing users to create their responses without sacrificing a list of links to Web sites that people know. 

Three months ago, Microsoft's Bing search engine began incorporating technology similar to the one that powers ChatGPT into its search engine, which is gradually changing Google's search engine's operation. 

It has been 16 years since Apple released the first iPhone. Despite ten years passing, the AI chatbot has become one of Silicon Valley's biggest buzz items. 

This previously unavailable product, which relies upon generative AI technology, which also powers ChatGPT, has been available exclusively to people on a waitlist who have been accepted for the service. 

As of this summer,  a capability for “unknown tracker alerts” is expected to be available. A few days ago, Apple and Google announced that they were going to work on resolving the problem together, leading to the development of this matter. Apple was sued by two women for stalking in the previous year after the women complained that AirTag was being used against them. 

Google announced the announcement at its annual developer conference. The tech giant demonstrated the latest advancements in artificial intelligence as well as available new hardware products. There was also an announcement that they are adding the ability to open and close a phone like a book for $1,799 (£1,425). 

A few months ago, OpenAI, a Silicon Valley startup, introduced the darling chatbot of Silicon Valley, ChatGPT. This soon sparked furious competition among competitors for funding supplies. Google's foray into generative artificial intelligence comes following OpenAI's ChatGPT. Using AI legacy data, it is possible to create original content such as text, images, and software codes using the generational AI engine. 

In the last few years, open AI, which has received billions of dollars from Microsoft and is now integrated into Bing search, has become the premier option for users who want generative AI, which can generate term papers, contracts, itinerary details, and even novels from scratch.

In recent years, Google has become the most powerful portal to the internet over the past few years, but as rivals have taken advantage of the technology, Google had to step back. There is a lot at stake here, especially for Google's share of what is estimated this year to be a staggering $286 billion pie in the huge world of online advertising. 

Since Microsoft launched its chatbot ChatGPT, Google has been under pressure to improve its artificial intelligence offerings due to its success. As a result of Bard's incorrect response, Google's previous attempts to demonstrate its expertise in the field failed to demonstrate its competence as a whole. Microsoft has invested a lot in OpenAI, which is the technology behind ChatGPT. It uses it to integrate ChatGPT into its search engine, Bing. Baidu, the Chinese tech behemoth, has added another chatbot to its arsenal - one named Ernie - that he intends to use against its competitors. 

Google remains an industry leader, according to Chirag Dekate, an analyst at Gartner and he is confident that the company will be able to take advantage of the renewed interest in artificial intelligence. It remains to be seen, however, whether Google can dominate the AI wars anytime soon.
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Shopify
API CloudSEK Credit Cards E-Commerce Mobile Security search engine Shopify

Globally, Over 4 Million Shopify Users Are at Risk

 


In a report published on Friday by CloudSEK's BeVigil, a security search engine for mobile apps, it has been found that over four million users of e-commerce apps around the world are exposed to the risk of hardcoded Shopify tokens.   

As an e-commerce platform, Shopify allows anyone to create a store that enables them to sell their products online and allows businesses to do the same. Shopify is expected to be used by more than 4.4 million websites by the end of 2023 and is located in more than 175 countries. 
 
Researchers are claiming that there is a risk that crooks will gain access to sensitive data belonging to millions of Android users with e-commerce apps. 

It was recently revealed in a CloudSEK BeVigil report that researchers discovered 21 e-commerce apps that had 22 hardcoded Shopify API keys and that these keys/tokens could potentially expose the personally identifiable information (PII) of roughly four million users to the possibility of identity theft. 

A hardcoded API key becomes visible to anyone with access to the code, including attackers and unauthorized users, as soon as the key is hardcoded in the code. An attacker can access sensitive data and perform actions on behalf of the program if they can access the hardcoded key. They can then use it to access sensitive data. The company said in a press release that even if they do not have the authorization to do so, they could still do it of their own volition. 

Information About Credit Cards

It is estimated that at least 18 of the 22 hardcoded keys allow attackers to use them to view sensitive data that belongs to customers. The researchers explained that this is based on their findings further in their report. A second report provided by the researchers states that seven API keys enable users to view and modify gift cards. In addition, six API keys allow a threat actor to steal information about payment accounts.  

As part of the sensitive data, collect name, email address, website address, country, address complete, phone number, and other information related to the shop owner is collected. The site also enables customers to access information regarding their past orders and their preferences for receiving emails.  

Regarding information on payment accounts, threat actors may be able to access details about banking transactions, like credit or debit cards used by customers to make purchases. These can be obtained by obtaining the BIN numbers of credit cards, the ending numbers of the cards, the name of the company that issued the cards, the IP addresses of browsers, the names on the cards, expiration dates, and other sensitive information. 

According to the researchers, one of the exposed API keys used by the shop provided shop details on authentication, hoping to show their point. 

Researchers have also pointed out that this is not a Shopify employee error but rather a widespread issue with app developers leaking API keys and tokens to third parties.   

An e-commerce platform such as Shopify enables businesses of all sizes to easily create an online store and, in turn, sell their products online. It is estimated that there are more than four million websites with Shopify integration today, enabling both physical and digital purchases from their online shoppers.   

CloudSEK notified Shopify about their findings however, no response has yet been received from Shopify in response.   
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search engine
Cyber Security DuckDuckGo Google search engine

Pop-ups From Google are Now Blocked by DuckDuckGo

 


DuckDuckGo, a search engine, and browser that has been synonymous with privacy and data protection for years, launched a new feature that captures one of the most common pop-up advertisements on the web, Sign in with Google. 

Some sites produce this Google pop-up, such as Reddit (opens in new tab), Zillow (opens in new tab), and Booking.com (opens in new tab), that are frequently led to this Google pop-up when they load a website for the first time.  

There is a new feature that captures one of the most common pop-up advertisements on the web, Sign in with Google by DuckDuckGo, a search engine, and browser that has been synonymous with privacy and data protection for years. 

Aside from providing a privacy-focused search engine, DuckDuckGo also offers email services, mobile apps, and extensions designed to protect data in the browser. There is also an attempt to produce a standalone web browser, which is currently in beta and is only available for Mac computers. 

To present the user with a “cleaner and more privacy-sensitive experience,” the company announced that its updated mobile apps and Firefox, Chrome, Brave, and Edge extensions will take out all the disruptive and misleading pop-ups from its mobile apps and browser extensions. 

Signing in with Google is blocked by DuckDuckGo

Moreover, DuckDuckGo says that it does more than just remove annoying pop-ups.  

The company announced the change in a press release. This was because Google would be able to track users without them realizing if they allowed Google to link their accounts to their browsing history. A lawsuit (opens in a new tab) against Google's collection of browsing history, cookies, and other website data has been filed to stop them from collecting this information. 

According to DuckDuckGo, Google can potentially pitch this to web developers as a 'win-win' as it will allow them to display more relevant, targeted ads, increasing revenue for their websites. Consequently, Google allegedly collects a vast amount of information throughout its operations. 

DuckDuckGo for Android, iOS, and Mac are all available for you to use right now, along with our Firefox, Chrome, Brave, and Microsoft Edge extensions.   
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search engine
Google search engine

Google Appeals Watchdog That Declared It Guilty of “Search Bias”

Google has allegedly filed an appeal at the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) against the Competition Commission of India’s (CCI) judgement that ruled the search giant guilty of “search bias.”

Two sources who were aware of this matter informed Reuters, and according to one of them, the appeal was filed on Monday.

The CCI had in February imposed a $20.95 million fine on Google for taking advantage of its dominance in the online search and advertising markets, stating in its 190-page judgement that, "Google was found to be indulging in practices of search bias and by doing so, it causes harm to its competitors as well as to users."

A CCI official called their judgement “robust” and said that the competition watchdog will be defending its verdict at NCLAT.

The commission had discovered that using search results from its database, Google had placed its commercial flight search function at a prominent position on the resulting search page.

The CCI ruling has brought to an end a probe started in 2012 due to complaints by matchmaking website Bharat Matrimony and Consumer Unity and Trust Society (CUTS).

This judgement is the latest anti-trust setback to the search engine company. In a similar case last year, the European Commission had imposed a €2.4 billion fine on Google for being biased towards its own shopping service and demoting its rivals.
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