SN 937: The Man in the Middle - WinRAR v6.23, fake flash drives, Voyager2 antenna, Google Topics
- Picture of the Week: Steve shares a funny "what we say vs what we mean" image about tech support conversations.
- WinRAR v6.23 fixes: Steve explains that updating to the latest WinRAR is more important than initially thought, with two critical vulnerabilities being actively exploited by hackers since April to install malware.
- HTTPS for local networks: Responding to listener email, Steve agrees HTTP is fine for local network devices like routers but notes risks in larger corporate networks.
- Portable domains for email: Steve endorses a listener suggestion to purchase your own domain and use third-party services, retaining control if a provider shuts down.
- Google Topics and monopolies: Steve and Leo debate whether Topics favors large advertisers with greater reach to get user targeting data.
- Voyager 2 antenna analysis: A listener calculates the antenna beam width mathematically, showing 2 degrees off-axis may not be as remarkable as it sounded.
- Windows time settings: Steve clarifies the STS issue does not impact end users changing Windows clock settings, it's enterprise server-side.
- Unix time in TLS handshakes: The hosts discuss why Unix time stamps are sent but not required for TLS, tracing back to early nonce generation.
- Fake flash drives: Steve warns of a slew of fake high-capacity thumb drives flooding the market, explaining how SpinRite tests detected the flaw.
- Man-in-the-middle attacks: While agreeing HTTPS helps prevent malicious injection, Steve examines MITM attack practicality, arguing they are difficult for hackers to pull off.
Show Notes - https://www.grc.com/sn/SN-937-Notes.pdf
Hosts: Steve Gibson and Leo Laporte
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For 16kbps versions, transcripts, and notes (including fixes), visit Steve's site: grc.com, also the home of the best disk maintenance and recovery utility ever written Spinrite 6.
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