FBI uses cybersecurity heavyweights to tackle fuzzing attacks

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FBI uses cybersecurity heavyweights to tackle fuzzing attacks

Using a DARPA grant and its own money, the FBI has enlisted researchers at George Mason University to try out so-called fuzzing attacks.

Federal News Network Staff

July 16, 2012 9:06 am

< a min read

The FBI is bringing in cybersecurity heavyweights to test its mobile applications.

Using a DARPA grant and its own money, the FBI has enlisted researchers at George Mason University to try out so-called fuzzing attacks. That’s where they shoot random, unexpected data at an application to see if it crashes. NextGov reports, the research could lead to ways of strengthening all mobile apps.

The FBI chose Android apps because they use open-source software, which is ideal for experimentation. The solicitation says all experimenters must be American citizens.

This story is part of Federal News Radio’s daily Cybersecurity Update. For more cybersecurity news, click here.