Katie Malone

Former Senior Reporter

Katie joined Engadget in 2023 to cover security, that's anything from data privacy to best cyber practices and more. She started her career covering government technology, which still has a special place in her coverage, but has also covered business tech, cloud and cybersecurity at publications like Insider and Industry Dive. A firm believer in logging off, she spends her time baking her way through cookbooks, being outside, and taking on new crafts or home improvement projects.

Articles by Katie Malone

The best password manager for 2025
Remembering dozens of passwords can be difficult for anyone. These are the best password managers you can use to keep your information safe and secure.
The best VPN service for 2025
VPNs are not a one-size-fits-all security solution. Instead, they’re just one part of keeping your data private and secure. We tested out nine of the best VPNs available now to help you choose the best one for your needs.
How we test VPNs
VPNs, or virtual private networks, are everywhere. Here's how we evaluate each service for our guides and reviews.
Members of ransomware gang Lockbit arrested by law enforcement
International law enforcement, led by the UK’s National Crime Agency, disrupted ransomware gang Lockbit's operation.
Defense Department alerts over 20,000 employees about email data breach
The Department of Defense sent a data breach notification letter to thousands of current and former employees alerting that their personal information had been leaked, DefenseScoop reported on Tuesday.
HIPAA protects health data privacy, but not in the ways most people think
With misinterpretations of HIPAA starting with just its name, misunderstandings of what the law actually does greatly impact our ability to recognize how the kinds of data do and don't fall under its scope. That’s especially true as a growing number of consumer tech devices and services gather troves of information related to our health.
US officials believe Chinese hackers lurk in critical infrastructure
By lurking behind the scenes of transportation, water, electricity and other important systems, the hackers have the opportunity to strike whenever they deem the time is right, US officials say in a 50-page report on the subject.
How security experts unravel ransomware
Increasingly, security professionals are coming together with law enforcement to provide free decryption tools — freeing locked files and eliminating the temptation for victims to pony up.
Fallout from the Fulton County cyberattack continues, key systems still down
Key systems in Fulton County, Georgia have been offline since last week when a 'cyber incident' hit government systems.
LoanDepot discloses that hackers breached personal data of 16 million customers
As mortgage lender LoanDepot continues recovery efforts from a ransomware attack, it revealed on Monday that hackers stole data from more than 16 million customers.
Carnegie Mellon reveals it was hit by a cyberattack over the summer
The Pittsburgh-based university known for its top tech and computer science programs said on Friday that the attack impacted up to 7,300 students, employees, contractors and other affiliates.
Apparel supplier for North Face, Vans admits its cyberattack led to a data breach of 35 million customers
If you've purchased from its major brands like Vans, North Face, Timberland, Dickies and more, you may have been impacted — but VF Corp still insists that the incident won't impact its financial performance.
The year of the passkey is still far away
To give passkeys the credit they deserve, top security experts agree that the new way of logging in comes with greater security. Like every other security advancement from SMS-based multifactor authentication to hardware authentication keys, however, adoption lags because people still hesitate to make the leap.
What is credential stuffing and how do you keep your accounts safe from it
Credential stuffing has become so prevalent, that you’ve likely already fallen victim.
Toronto Zoo hit by a cyberattack, but don't worry, the hackers didn't go after the animals
The zoo reassured the public that the attack did not impact animal wellbeing and support staff, but it was still determining possible consequences for human visitors.
First American discloses a 'cybersecurity incident,' a few years after its major leak
First American, a real estate and mortgage financial firm, experienced a "cybersecurity incident" impacting operations, the company posted on its website on Thursday.
QR code attacks probably aren’t coming for your scan-to-order menus
The fanfare around these attacks, however, mostly outweighs the threat of using QR codes in your daily life.
Major apparel supplier behind North Face and Vans hit by cyberattack, disrupting its holiday fulfillments
VF Corporation reported in a Securities and Exchange Commission filing on Monday that it had been hit by a cyberattack.
Here’s everything you should do to up your security before next year
Here's a quick holiday checklist you and your loved ones can spend an hour doing during your holiday downtime to set up for a more secure year.
Police are using pharmacies to secretly access medical information about members of the public
A Congressional letter called on the Department of Health and Human Services to revise HIPAA so that these warrantless searches couldn't occur.