Individuals at Risk
Identity Theft
Fraudsters Exploited Lax Security at Equifax’s TALX Payroll Division: Identity thieves who specialize in tax refund fraud had big help this past tax year from Equifax, one of the nation’s largest consumer data brokers and credit bureaus.

You may have read about the worldwide malware attack caused a ransomware virus. This virus was responsible for the near shutdown of the UK National Health Service, Fed Ex and  other companies and systems worldwide.  As a ransomware virus, it targets victims by demanding a ransom to get their computer files unlocked via a pop-up window.

Important Security Updates
Adobe Flash Player: Adobe has released version 25.0.0.171. Updates are available from Adobe’s website. To see which version you have, go to Adobe’s web page.

Google Chrome: Google has released Google Chrome version 58.0.3029.110. Updates are available from within the browser or from Google Chrome’s website.

Individuals at Risk
Cyber Update
HP issues fix for ‘keylogger’ found on several laptop models:
A security researcher says an audio driver is recording every keystroke entered, accessible to any person or malware that knows where to look. ZDNet, May 12, 2017

Emergency Fix for Windows Anti-Malware Flaw Leads May’s Patch Tuesday: Adobe and Microsoft both issued updates today to fix critical security vulnerabilities in their software.

A password manager is a must-have weapon in your security and privacy arsenal.  There are a few password managers available and my advice is to pick one and learn how to use it.  My preference is LastPass which is a more mature product, has great security practices and is very transparent in their security practices.

Important Security Updates
Avast: Avast! Free Antivirus has released version 17.4.2294. Updates are available on Avast’s website. Avast! has also released updates for Premier Antivirus, Pro Antivirus and Internet Security.

Dropbox: Dropbox has released version 25.4.28 for its file hosting program.

Individuals at Risk
Identity Theft
Identity Theft Protection: 10 Ways To Secure Your Personal Data: I was recently the victim of a hack. My identity was impersonated and the information was used to steal my personal data from GoDaddy. How could this happen I asked myself? The cybercriminal got hold of my social security number, used it to locate my credit card number from my bank, then used that credit card number to access my GoDaddy profile by socially engineering a customer service representative embedded at the hosting giant’s offices.

Important Security Updates
Avira Free Antivirus: Avira has released version 15.0.26.48 of its free Antivirus. Updates are available from Avira’s website.

Comodo Free Firewall: Comodo has released version 10.0.1.6223 of its free firewall and antivirus.

Individuals at Risk
Cyber Warning
New Android vulnerability found. Millions of phones discovered at risk from hackers: All is not well in Google Play. A group of researchers has determined that hundreds of apps in the store have a gaping security hole that potentially allows hackers to implant malware and steal data from millions of Android smartphones.

Important Security Updates
AxCrypt: AxCrypt has released version 2.1.1494.0. Updates are available from AxCrypt’s website.

Google Chrome: Google has released Google Chrome version 58.0.3029.81. Updates are available from within the browser or from Google Chrome’s website.