Too little detail in this story, they never specify what kind of "hack" this is. My bet is on wifi hotspots set up by the hackers, which means you have to take the bait first, in order to be "hacked". In reality, when you log on to some complete stranger's wifi, you're basically saying "you're welcome to steal anything from me". Never, ever log on to a wifi-network you know nothing about. of course, this simple piece of good advice isnt as sexy as a "HACKERS WILL HACK YOU!!" headline

really need more details about this... When they had brand new devices, does that mean they were un-patched for known security holes? Or are all these exploits the Russians use unknown, and there are currently no patches, such that a completely patched/updated device is still vulnerable?

Any WiFi captive-portal "login" page could inject known browser exploits into the html - If you use your own MyFi (personal hotspot), and are willing to pay huge for roaming international data, then this form of attack isn't possible.

And the coffee shop owner probably doesn't know that their wireless access point is serving up malicious code. It was either hacked by who they bought it from, or whoever installed it, or by some hacker who went to the shop. But shame on the airport's IT security - if they have official WiFi that was also hacked. (but the criminals might have set up their own wireless and called it "Free Airport WiFi")

Every OS on every device (not just Windows) has security holes, Mac OS X included. The hole gets exploited to allow running some piece of software that the user didn't intend, and that software (malware/virus) collects user data and uploads it back to the criminals servers on the network (these 'data collection' servers are also usually attacked/compromised computers, so they can't be traced directly back to the criminals).

My advice to tourists would be to bring a "dumb" phone for voice calls. (keep bluetooth turned off though) Then you'll remember how great it was to only charge it once a week

If I was a hacker I would feel fairly confident that at least 95% of PC users would have no idea what you are talking about.

Meet the USS Zumwalt, a next-gen ship run by Linux and captained by James Kirk.

If a hacker named Khan assumes control over the ship, do you think it'll mark the emergence of Cthulhu?

By the way, this coupled with the reduction in sys-admins at the NSA might be a reason to prepare some more popcorn.

First General Alexander flat-out lied in front of the NSA's most important hacker convention, then they announced their plans to reduce the tech staff by 90%.

Bad idea to piss off the tech guys if your agency depends on the integrity of its network.

Can't wait for the 30C3. After Binney/Drake held their "Enemies of the State" talk last year, there's bound to be more NSA insider stories this time around -- maybe even Snowden via stream.

Personally I think the solution is to look at your Grandma in a new light

She's a hacker, deal with it

I don't -

just when I think of the term "Hacker", my grandmother is not the first person I think of

We need a new term for "Life Hacks" - because with the current term, my grandmother is the greatest Hacker of all times....

Um, so where did he say "because a drone strike . . . " ? I didn't see or hear him say it. So without that, there's nothing special here.

"hack·er [hak-er] Show IPA
noun
1.
a person or thing that hacks.
2.
Slang. a person who engages in an activity without talent or skill: weekend hackers on the golf course.
3.
Computer Slang.
a.
a computer enthusiast.
b.
a microcomputer user who attempts to gain unauthorized access to proprietary computer systems."

Well, I'd be damned. It seems according to the dictionary he is a hacker. Hmmmm.

Upvote for bringing this foolishness to attention. Just wish I could downvote Obama's stance on this. Snowden is a hero not a "hacker", and I'm with @chingalera that the very idea of "scrambling the jets" as a possible response brings shame on the US around the world.

He's not a "hacker", you hack.

I should also mention this comment on the whole thing: "I think SimCity has reached that software event horizon where the shenanigans between the developer/publisher/hackers have become more entertaining than the game itself. "

All I'm saying is it might still be worth buying if the hackers can fix it.

Irony anyone?

Haven't the hackers fixed this? This is not a rhetorical question. I've often taken solace in the idea that they would...