Internet security

SCOTUS case could redefine ‘reasonable expectation of privacy’

Today, the Supreme Court will hear opening arguments in Carpenter v. United States, a case that could redefine privacy in the digital era. At the heart of the case is the Fourth Amendment, crafted in a bygone era before today’s technology could even be imagined. We spoke with three law professors about what to expect.

by Molly Callahan November 29, 2017

11/22/17 - BOSTON, MA. - Uber App stock shoot on Nov. 22, 2017. Photo by Matthew Modoono/Northeastern University

A closer look at the Uber hack, and what’s next

Last week, Uber disclosed that hackers had accessed the personal information of 57 million customers and drivers, and Bloomberg reported that Uber paid the hackers $100,000 to delete the data and stay quiet about the incident. Professor Christo Wilson, an expert on internet security and privacy, explains the probable motivation of the hack—and the impending consequences.

by Allie Nicodemo November 28, 2017

Attackers might use “special” days to launch more targeted social engineering attacks, says professor Engin Kirda. Photo by Adam Glanzman/Northeastern University

This Cyber Monday, watch out for phishing attacks

Today, shoppers will spend billions of dollars online. Just how secure is e-commerce, though, on a day designed to get people online? We asked We asked professor Engin Kirda, an expert on network security, about what to watch for, and tips to stay safe.

by Molly Callahan November 27, 2017

Photo by Adam Glanzman/Northeastern University

Why politically motivated cyberattacks might be the new normal

An international ransomware attack struck parts of Europe, Asia, and the United States on Tuesday, crippling tens of thousands of computers at banks, hospitals, and government offices worldwide. We asked three experts at Northeastern—Carla Brodley, John Manferdelli, and Wil Robertson— to discuss the motivation behind the attack, the challenges of stopping future attacks, and the efficacy of giving in to hackers’ demands.

by Jason Kornwitz June 30, 2017

<i>Photo by Adam Glanzman/Northeastern University</i>

Social media spotlight: Brooke Foucault Welles

Twitter is deeply intertwined with Welles’ academic work. We asked her about how she approaches using the social media platform for her research and teaching, what lessons she’s learned along the way, and about that time Michelle Obama tweeted at her.

by Greg St. Martin April 4, 2017

Northeastern and Facebook partner on next generation research projects

Facebook announced on Wednesday that Northeastern is one of 17 research universities selected to partner with the company on next generation, joint technology projects. The Sponsored Academic Research Agreement makes it easy for research faculty and labs to work together with Facebook.

by News@Northeastern December 21, 2016

3Qs: How to tame the Twitter haters

A score of Twitter users were banned by the social media service last week for hurling a spate of vile remarks at Ghostbusters star Leslie Jones. To find out how online anonymity affects the way people act toward each other and what social media sites like Twitter could do to curb targeted attacks, we turned to Northeastern assistant professor Joseph Reagle, an expert on internet trolling.

by Jason Kornwitz July 25, 2016

3Qs: Making sense of the encryption debate

Last week, presidential candidates in both the Republican and Democratic debates offered some interesting views about the Internet. Here, Daniel Wichs, an expert in modern cryptography and an assistant professor of computer science, weighs in on the debate about Internet security.

by Matthew McDonald December 21, 2015