Individuals at Risk
Cyber Privacy
The Surveillance Game: A Website That Gives You Points as It Spies on You: “Oh, you are truly my favorite subject!” exclaimed a soft voice in my ear. “Would you allow me to … see you, please?” My laptop’s webcam asked for permission to activate.
Important Security Updates
AVG Free Edition: AVG has released version 2016.131.7924 of its 32 bit Free Edition. Updates are available on AVG’s website.
AVG Internet Security: AVG has released version 2016.131.7924 of its 64 and 32 bit Internet Security.
Individuals at Risk
Identity Theft
Michigan State University confirms data breach of server containing 400,000 student, staff records: Michigan State University is confirming that someone breached a database containing 4000 student records. WXYZ, November 18, 2016
Cyber Privacy
Navy Reports Data Breach After HP Laptop Compromised: The US Navy is warning more than 130,000 sailors of a data breach, after a laptop belonging to an employee of Navy contractor Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co. was compromised.
Important Security Updates
Foxit Reader: Foxit has released version 8.1.1.1115 of its Reader to fix six highly critical vulnerabilities. Updates are available on Foxit Software’s website.
Google Drive: Google has released version 1.32.3889.0961 of its Google Drive.
Individuals at Risk
Cyber Privacy
Firefox Focus: Private iOS browsing made easy: Mozilla has released Firefox Focus, an iOS app that lets you browse the Internet without having to worry who’s tracking your online activity. HelpNetSecurity, November 18, 2016
Signal encryption app sees 400 percent boost after election: The co-founder of Open Whisper Systems says installations of its app have increased four-fold since November 8. CNet, November 18, 2016
8 Public Sources Holding ‘Private’ Information: Personal information used for nefarious purposes can be found all over the web – from genealogy sites to public records and social media.
How often to get you a notice that you need to change a website password because your user account credentials were stolen? Too often, right? Breaches happen because websites pay too little attention to cyber-security which is often an afterthought for the website developers.
It’s no secret that cyber-crooks prey on people’s ignorance. They just hope that you are un-informed enough to click on an email link or attachment which infects your computer with malware that encrypts your data for an expensive ransom or pops up fake virus warnings to lure you into paying for a virus clean-up that you don’t need.
Important Security Updates
Adobe Flash Player: Adobe has released version 23.0.0.207. Updates are available from Adobe’s website.
Apple iOS: Apple has released version 10.1.1 of its iOS. Updates are available through the device or through Apple’s website.
Individuals at Risk
Cyber Update
Patch Tuesday, 2016 U.S. Election Edition: Let’s get this out of the way up front: Having “2016 election” in the headline above is probably the only reason anyone might read this story today. It remains unclear whether Republicans and Democrats can patch things up after a bruising and divisive election, but thanks to a special Election Day Patch Tuesday hundreds of millions of Adobe and Microsoft users have some more immediate patching to do.
We focus a lot on network and computer security. But what should you be doing to keep your smartphone secure?
New smartphones may cost $700 or more, but that is nothing compared to the value of the data stored on your phone. Identity theft alone will cost you more than $1500 and a huge amount of time to fix.