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.

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.

Important Security Updates
Apple iTunes: Apple has released version 12.5.3 (64-bit and 32-bit) of iTunes. Updates are available from Apple’s website.

AxCrypt: AxCrypt has released version 2.1.1481.0. Updates are available from AxCrypt’s website.

Individuals at Risk
Identity Theft
IRS and Security Summit partners expand identity theft safeguards for 2017: As the IRS, taxpayers, and tax practitioners get ready for the 2017 tax filing season, the IRS touted the successes that it and its Security Summit partners have had in reducing tax return identity theft during the 2016 filing season and described how it will expand its efforts in the fight for 2017 (IR-2016-144). Security Summit partners include state tax authorities, tax preparation businesses (including tax preparation software companies), and banks.

Eric received an email notice that his company’s domain name is expiring.  The email appeared to be an offer to renew his company domain name via a ‘Secure Online Payment’ for $64. He sensed a scam.

“I recalled renewing it just over a year ago for a 5-year term,” recalled Eric.