In today’s update of technology news: How Russian cyberpower invaded the US; flight booking systems lack privacy; Google wearabales to launch; Microsoft first trillion dollar tech company?

The New York Times reports how the F.B.I. knew the Russian government was involved in hacking the Democratic National Committee (DNC), revealing emails damaging to the Clinton campaign.

The agency discovered the DNC computer system was compromised by hackers the feds called “The Dukes,” a cyber espionage team connected to the Russian government.

The Times reports that the investigation by intelligence officials revealed a “series of missed signals, slow responses, and a continuing underestimation of the seriousness of the attack. That meant the best chance to halt the intrusion was lost.

For the full story see: The Perfect Weapon

Google wearables to launch

Google will launch two new smartwatches early in 2017. First will be the Android Wear 2.0 platform.

The manufacturer will brand the smartwatches, which won’t carry the Google name. Google told The Verge that the manufacturer has made Google products before, but wouldn’t disclose the name.

Flight booking systems lack basic privacy safeguards

Security researchers warn that most travel booking systems are vulnerable to hacking that would let bad guys alter tickets or steal sensitive information, Reuters reports.

It is easy, the researchers say, to alter the short code many boarding passes use, making it possible to change flight details or grab information.

Given only passenger’s last names, researchers were able to find associated booking codes over the Internet “With little effort,” one said.

For the full story see: Booking systems

Microsoft could become the first trillion dollar tech giant

Microsoft’s $26.2 billion acquisition of LinkedIn could propel the company to a trillion dollar market valuation, according to an analyst quoted by Geekwire.

Analyst Michael Markowski believes Microsfot will beat Facebook, Google, Apple and Amazon to the trillion dollar valuation.

Geekwire report