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Rich Mogull

Rich Mogull

Rich Mogull has been working in the security world for over 20 years, and breaking computers (usually by accident) even longer. After about 10 years in physical security (mostly running large events/concerts), he made the mistake of getting drunk in Silicon Valley and telling someone he “worked in security.” Next morning he woke up with a job as an IT security consultant. That’s not totally true, but it’s far more amusing than his full biography. He currently works as the VP of Product for DisruptOPS and an independent security analyst at Securosis.com. He previously spent seven years as an analyst with Gartner. Rich is also a paramedic, done stints as a firefighter and with Rocky Mountain Rescue, and recently retired from ski patrol when he moved to sunny Arizona. He still dabbles in disaster medicine, when nature cooperates.

Rich Mogull 100 comments

Apple’s App Store Stubbornness May Be iOS’s Greatest Security Vulnerability

Apple’s App Store helped make iPads and iPhones the most secure consumer-focused computers ever created. But Apple’s opaque policy enforcement and payment restrictions are now motivating regulators and courts to get involved, which will likely force changes that will damage consumer safety.

Rich Mogull 3 comments

Apple Platform Security Guide Reveals Focus on Vertical Integration

With the latest release of the comprehensive Apple Platform Security guide, Apple has increased the guide’s scope and technical depth while revealing just how completely security has been integrated into the Apple ecosystem. Security Editor Rich Mogull takes a closer look at what vertical integration means for the present and future of Apple security.

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The Paramedic’s Guide to Blood Oxygen and the Apple Watch Series 6

As a paramedic, Rich Mogull has spent decades using pulse oximeters under extreme conditions and environments. While he found the Apple Watch Series 6’s blood oxygen sensor to be quite accurate with just a little focus on positioning, he explains why it’s hard to find the value and use cases for home blood-oxygen monitoring.

Rich Mogull 2 comments

How to Build the Best Environment and Technology for School at Home

“School at Home” is now the new normal for millions of families, but it is closer to “Work from Home” than pure homeschooling. As the parent of three elementary-aged children who have already started classes at home, here are Rich Mogull’s best tips.

Rich Mogull 5 comments

Apple Releases Dedicated Security Research Device

In an effort to encourage more security researchers to look for security vulnerabilities in iOS, Apple will provide approved researchers with a Security Research Device, a custom iPhone with key security controls disabled. It’s a good way for Apple to engage more fully with the security community.

Rich Mogull 12 comments

Apple Flexes Its Privacy Muscles

At WWDC 2019, Apple made numerous announcements that show both how important the company believes privacy to be and how far it’s willing to go to encourage privacy-protecting technologies in its own products. But these efforts will face challenges from all sides.

Rich Mogull 29 comments

I’m a Paramedic: Here’s How the Apple Watch Series 4 Will and Won’t Save Lives

The Apple Watch Series 4 promises to detect falls, identify atrial fibrillation, and let wearers take electrocardiograms on demand. Rich Mogull draws on his paramedic training to evaluate how effective each of these technologies is likely to be.

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Mojave’s New Security and Privacy Protections Face Usability Challenges

macOS 10.14 Mojave brings important security and privacy improvements to the Mac, but both Apple and developers need to work harder to avoid overwhelming users with a cacophony of alerts.

Rich Mogull 9 comments

Smart Home Lessons from a Home Automation Veteran

Rich Mogull shares the lessons he’s learned over a decade of home automation and how the new “Take Control of Apple Home Automation” book compresses many of them into a neat package.

Rich Mogull 4 comments

iOS 11 Encrypted Backup Change Reduces Security, Boosts Data Safety

In iOS 11, Apple has changed things so encrypted iTunes backups can now be restored with either the separate backup password or the device passcode. This move reduces security, but it also reduces the likelihood that users will forget the password and lose access to their backups.

Rich Mogull 52 comments

Face ID’s Innovation: Continuous Authentication

It takes a lot to impress security expert Rich Mogull, but he’s convinced that Face ID is going to change the face of computer security.

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You Can’t Protect Yourself from the Equifax Breach

Credit-reporting agency Equifax has exposed the private information of 143 million Americans. Rich Mogull outlines some steps you can take, but they won’t amount to much until the system changes.

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Preparing for a Possible Apple “Face ID” Technology

Leaked HomePod firmware points to a possible facial recognition feature in a future iPhone. TidBITS Security Editor Rich Mogull examines the implications and explains how you can evaluate the announcement if and when it comes.

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Why Apple Defends Encryption

With the U.S. government once again campaigning against encryption, why does it seem as though only Apple is standing up for users? Rich Mogull has some answers.

Rich Mogull 7 comments

The Million Dollar iOS Hack (Isn’t)

Although a security exploit broker paid out ONE MILLION DOLLARS for an iOS 9 attack, most users are safe, and the exploit’s days are already numbered.