VTech (Original Restricted Video Technology ) is Hong Kong's global supplier of electronic learning products from its early childhood to the largest preschool and wireless manufacturer in the phone world. It is also one of the top 50 electronics manufacturing service providers in the world.
In November 2015, the VTech product learning app store, "Learning Lodge", was compromised, leading to the exposure of the name, address, encrypted password, and personal information of its customers, including photos and chat logs.
Video VTech
Nama dan cantuman
The company was originally called "Video Technology Limited" refers to the company's first product, a home video game console. In 1991, the name was changed to "VTech Holdings Limited" to reflect a broader product portfolio.
The company was first registered in Hong Kong in June 1986 under the name "Video Technology International (Holdings) Limited". It was privatized and removed from the Hong Kong Stock Exchange Limited in 1990.
VTech gained the main list on the London Stock Exchange in 1991. In 1992, the company re-activated on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange Limited, establishing a dual main roster with London. In 1993, the company established an American deposit receipt program.
VTech was removed voluntarily from the London Stock Exchange on October 7, 2008. It also terminated the American Depositary Receipt program with effect from January 21, 2011.
Maps VTech
History
VTech was founded in Hong Kong in October 1976 by two local businessmen, Alan Wong (Chi-Yun) and Stephen Leung. When the first single-chip microprocessor "Intel 4004" became available in the early 1970s, the company saw the potential offered for portable consumer electronics products. Wong & amp; Leung set up a small factory in To Kwa Wan, with an investment of US $ 40,000 and a staff of 40 people. In the first year, turnover is less than US $ 1 million.
VTech initially focused on developing a video game. In 1977, the company created the first home TV game console, the Pong version. Since only North American and European consumers can afford such items, the company targets these markets primarily.
The British Empire was chosen as the first market for Pong, as Hong Kong and the UK use the same standards for television systems. In 1978, the founders introduced the LED games they developed to buyers from RadioShack in the US, which were sold under the brand of RadioShack.
VTech then began to build its own brand. Beginning in the early 80's, a series of electronic games will be produced. VTech launched its first electronic learning product, called "Lesson One", at the New York Toy Fair, in February 1980. It teaches children basic spelling and math. An exclusive version called "Computron" is offered to Sears, with a product clearly advertised by Sears, in its catalog, which is a popular shopping guide.
Next VTech creates a CreatiVision video game console.
VTech later branched out into a personal computer, including a series of compatible IBM PCs beginning in 1983, followed by Apple II compatible computers, beginning in 1985, including a model called Laser 128.
VTech left the personal computer market in 1997, due to intense competition.
In 1985, the United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC) allocated the 900MHz frequency band to the ISM (industrial, scientific and medical devices). Taking advantage of this, VTech began development on cordless phones, using the 900 MHz band, and in 1991 introduced the world's first 900-Mhz wireless cordless phone.
In 2000, to expand its cordless phone business, VTech acquired Lucent Technologies' consumer-phone business. The acquisition also grants VTech an exclusive 10 year rights to use the AT & T brand in conjunction with the manufacture and sale of telephone and cable phone accessories in the United States and Canada. Although the acquisition increased VTech's telecom product sales by 50%, it caused operating losses and removals. The company issued a profit warning in March 2001 and launched a broad restructuring plan. In fiscal year 2002, the company has turned business and returned to profitability.
Today, VTech's core business remains cordless phones and electronic learning products. Contracting services - which produce various electronic products on behalf of midsize companies, are also a major source of revenue. The company has a wide range of geographies, selling to North America, Europe, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East and Africa.
data breach 2015
In November 2015, Lorenzo Bicchierai, writing for Motherboard Motherboard , reported that the VTech server had been compromised and the company was a victim of data breaches that exposed personal data of 6.3 million individuals, including children children, who register or use the services provided by the company in connection with some of the products it produces. Bicchierai was contacted by an unnamed attacker at the end of November, for a week before Thanksgiving, at which time the unnamed person disclosed information about security vulnerabilities with reporters and detailed the violation.
Bicchierai then reached out to information security researcher Troy Hunt to examine the data provided by the attackers to Bicchierai, and to ascertain whether the leak was genuine and not an internet trick. Hunt checked the information and made sure it was genuine. Hunt then dissects the data in detail and publish the findings on its website. According to Hunt, the VTech server fails to utilize basic SSL encryption to secure private data while transiting from device to VTech server; that VTech stores customer information in an unencrypted plaintext, failing to store a hash or salt password.
The attack takes advantage of SQL injection to gain privileged root access to the VTech server. Once privileged access is obtained, the attacker reveals the data, including about 190 gigabytes of photos of children and adults, a detailed chat log between parents and children spanning for years and voice recordings, all unencrypted and stored in plain text. Attackers share about 3,832 image files with reporters for verification purposes, and some edited photos are published by journalists. Commenting on the leak, the unnamed attacker expressed their disdain for being able to easily gain access to such large data, saying: "Frankly, it makes me sick because I can get all of this stuff.VTech should have the book thrown at them "and explaining their reasons for going to the press is because they feel VTech will ignore their reports and concerns.
Security company VTech was unaware their system had been compromised and the first offense was brought to their attention after being contacted by Bicchierai before the article publication. After notification, the company picked up a dozen offline websites and services.
In a FAQ published by the company, they explained some 4,854,209 parent-owned accounts and 6,368,509 children's profiles had been compromised. The Company further claims the password has been encrypted, as opposed to a report by an independent security researcher contacted by Vice . The company indicated that they were working with unspecified "local authorities". VTech then took the FireEye information security firm to manage incident responses and audit their platform security forward.
Mark Nunnikhoven from Trend Micro criticized the company's handling of the incident and called their FAQ "frank corporate talks".
US Senators Edward Markey and Joe Barton, founders of Bi-Partisan Congressional Privacy Caucus, issued an open letter to the company asking why and what kind of information the children owned by VTech and how they used this data, the security practices used to protect the data if the child's information is shared or sold to a third party and how the company complies with the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act.
In February 2016, Hunt published the fact that VTech has modified the Terms and Conditions for new customers so that the customer acknowledges and agrees that any information transmitted to VTech may be intercepted or later acquired by an unauthorized party.
In January 2018, the US Federal Trade Commission fined VTech $ 650,000 USD for offenses, about $ 0.09 per victim.
Core business
Electronic learning products (ELP)
VTech is one of the pioneers of the ELP industry, starting in 1980 with a unit designed to teach children spelling and basic math.
Today VTech is a leading global supplier of ELP ranging from infancy to preschool, making individual standalone products and platform products that combine different consoles with different software.
The V.Smile TV Learning System, launched in 2004, establishes what the company calls a platform product as an important category in its ELPs. The latest additions to various platform products are InnoTab Max, Kidizoom Smart Watch, and InnoTV.
Telecommunication Products (TEL)
VTech introduced the world's first 900 and MHz wireless phones in 1991 and 2002 respectively. According to MZA Ltd., the company is the largest cordless phone manufacturer in the world.
In North America, VTech is the biggest player in the industry, according to MarketWise Consumer Insights LLC, which sells branded phones and accessories branded AT & amp; T and VTech. Outside of North America, VTech mainly supplies products to fixed line phone operators, brand names, and distributors with original design (ODM) manufacturing bases.
Contract manufacturing services (CMS)
VTech began manufacturing products for other brand names in original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in 1980 and CMS became one of the company's core businesses in the early 2000s.
VTech has been identified as one of the 50 largest electronics manufacturing service providers in the world, providing electronic manufacturing services to midsize companies. CMS VTech has focused on four major product categories: professional audio equipment, switching mode power supply, wireless products and solid-state lighting.
Criticism
A June 2012 report from the Institute of Global Labor and Human Rights said working conditions at the VTech plant in China failed to meet legal standards and could be described as sweatshops. VTech firmly rejects the allegations and issues a statement on June 22, 2012, reiterating that it is a responsible and caring employer who complies with work-related legal requirements in all jurisdictions in which it operates.
References
External links
- VTech's official website
- VTech (US) phone site
- VTech Toys Website (USA)
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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