The assault on internet security continues to fill news headlines this week. On the heels of the Heartbleed bug, Microsoft announced this week that a security vulnerability exists in all versions of Internet Explorer, with no known fix. This vulnerability is especially concerning for employers, who often do not control the browser choices of employees. Also, you can read below to discover the various ways that security breaches can affect our everyday lives, including jamming up traffic and “war driving” at your favorite free wi-fi spot.
Recent Week in Review topics are also back in the headlines this week. The Food and Drug Administration recently proposed new regulations on e-cigarettes. These regulations do not provide guidance on vapors in the workplace, continuing to place the burden on employers to navigate in uncharted territory. Additionally, related to last week’s post on telecommuting, the survey linked below looks at the transformation of the flexible workplace for employees over the last six years. You may want to review that survey to see if your workplace policies are keeping up with the times.
Technology and the Workplace
Stop using Microsoft’s IE browser until bug is fixed, US and UK warn (CNET)
Employers Are Getting More Flexible — Up to a Point (WSJ)
E-Cigs at the Office: Still a Hazy Issue (WSJ)
Should E-cigarettes Be Allowed In The Workplace (Forbes)
Want to unsend that email? Two Harvard law students offer a way to do it (ABA Journal)
Technology and the Law
Hackers Can Mess With Traffic Lights to Jam Roads and Reroute Cars (WIRED)
Mind the WEP: ‘Warbiker’ Exposes Londoners’ Bad Wi-Fi Habits (WSJ)
Airbnb Takes to the Barricades (NYTimes)
FCC Chairman Pledges to Police Internet ‘Fast Lanes’ (NBC News)
Lawyers can look up jurors on social media but can’t connect with them, ABA ethics opinion says (ABA Journal)
There’s an App for That
Blocking apps helps you focus on work (CNET)
Anonymous Chatting, Through a Simple Service (NYTimes)
Yahoo to Offer TV-Style Comedy Series on the Web (NYTimes)
RIP, Car Washes: See Nissan’s New Self-Cleaning Paint in Action (WIRED)
FAA Looking Into Use of Drones in Journalist’s Tornado Coverage (Mashable)