Beware New Windows Vulnerability With Remote Search Window Access

You may not know the name Matthew Hickey, but you should thank him for a recent discovery that could save you a lot of grief. Hickey is the co-founder of a company called Hacker House.  He recently discovered a flaw that could allow for the opening of a remote search window simply by opening a […]

Some Carrier Embedded Android Apps May Have Security Vulnerabilities

Recently, Microsoft reported high severity security vulnerabilities in multiple apps offered by large international mobile service providers.  What makes this especially noteworthy is the fact that these vulnerabilities aren’t app specific, but framework specific.  Many carriers use the same basic framework to construct their apps and now all have been found to contain vulnerabilities. The […]

Millions Of MySQL Server Users’ Data Found On The Internet

Do you maintain a MySQL server?  If so, you’re certainly not alone.  What you may not know is that according to research conducted by The Shadowserver Foundation, (a cybersecurity research group) there are literally millions of MySQL servers visible on the internet that shouldn’t be. In all, the group found more than 3.6 million MySQL […]

Hackers Are Using Personal Messages On WhatsApp To Attack

Are you a WhatsApp user?  If so, be aware that hackers have worked out a means of hijacking a user’s WhatsApp account and gaining access to a user’s contact list and personal messages. The attack relies on mobile carriers’ automated service to forward calls to different phone numbers, which is a service every major mobile […]

Microsoft Releases Multiple New Features For Teams

Teams was “just another Microsoft application” before the pandemic.  Thanks to Covid-19 though, demand for video conferencing solutions shot through the roof, and suddenly Teams found its groove. Microsoft had been gamely trying to bolster its popularity and the pandemic certainly helped. For more than two years, the Redmond giant has been pouring an increasing […]

Intel Users Should Update Firmware To Avoid This Ransomware

Not long ago, researchers at Eclypsium got a lucky break.  An unknown and unidentified individual began leaking communications from inside the Conti ransomware organization. These leaked communications seemed to confirm what has long been suspected:  That there are strong ties between the Conti gang and Russia’s FSB (military intelligence). This sounds like something right out […]

The Windows Follina Vulnerability Has A Temporary Fix

File this away under “good news, bad news.” The bad news is that there’s a new, critical zero-day threat to be concerned about.  The threat has been dubbed ‘Follina.’ It is being tracked as CVE-2022-30190 and is being described by Microsoft as an MSDT (Microsoft Windows Support Diagnostic Tool) remote code execution flaw that impacts […]

Microsoft Will Not Release Exchange Server Updates Until 2025

Are you planning on setting up an Exchange server soon or are you running one now?  If so, be aware that Microsoft is changing their guidance when it comes to the technology and specifically running a server on-premises. Two years ago, the Redmond giant announced that the next versions of their Skype for Business Server, […]

Enemybot Malware May Go Beyond DDOS Attacks

Unless you’re an IT Security Professional, you may never have heard of EnemyBot.  It is a bit like the Frankenstein of malware threats, a botnet that has borrowed code from multiple different sources. While that’s not terribly original, it does make it dangerous. The hackers behind the code are actively adding new exploits as newly […]

This Android Malware Is Stealing Login Credentials

If you’re deeply involved in IT security, you may already be familiar with the ERMAC Android banking trojan. If this is the first time you’re hearing of it, be aware that the hackers who authored the malicious code have recently released ERMAC 2.0, which represents a significant upgrade in capabilities from the previous iteration. ERMAC’s […]

Screencastify Issue Could Allow Someone To Steal Recorded Videos

Are you one of the legions of users making use of the Screencastify Chrome extension?  It’s a fantastic Chrome extension that allows you to almost effortlessly create screencasts for a variety of purposes. Unfortunately, the web extension also suffers from a critical security vulnerability that allows attackers to take control of a user’s webcam and […]

Update Google Chrome Soon To Fix Multiple Security Issues

Are you a Google Chrome user?  If so, be aware that the company recently released a stable version of Chrome 102 and is urging all users of its browser to update right away. The latest release contains a total of 32 security fixes on Windows, Mac and Linux. Of the 32 flaws addressed, eight are […]

General Motors Customer Data Leaked By Credential Stuffing Attacks

Do you own a Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, or Cadillac?  If so, be aware that GM recently acknowledged that they fell victim to a credential stuffing attack a little over a month ago. The attack exposed some customer information to the attackers and allowed them to redeem an undisclosed number of rewards points for gift cards. […]

The Latest Windows 11 Update Fixes Dozens Of Issues

Are you a Windows 11 early adopter?  If so, you’ll want to grab the latest update KB5014019.  It contains several important bug fixes including fixes for Direct3D app crashing issues, slow file copying issues, and an issue with the TPM (Trusted Platform Module) driver. Some users have reported the TPM driver was dramatically increasing system […]

Be Aware That ChromeLoader Malware Is Picking Up Steam

A browser hijacker called “ChromeLoader” has had a large uptick in detections this month, which is raising eyebrows among security professionals. ChromeLoader can modify a victim’s web browser settings to show search results that promote unwanted (and usually spammy) software, annoying pop-up ads, fake giveaways, adult games, dating sites, surveys, and the like. As malware […]

 New Phishing Attacks Use HTML Email Attachments

HTML attachments as an attack vector may seem a little old school. However, according to statistics compiled by Kaspersky Lab indicates that in 2022, that form of attack is not just simply still being employed, but hackers are making surprisingly regular use of it.  The security company detected more than two million emails of this […]

Upgrade This WordPress Plugin To Avoid Being Hacked

Do you own and manage a WordPress site either personally or as part of your business?  Do you also use the Tatsu plugin which offers a powerful suite of in-browser editing features and has been installed by more than 100,000 users worldwide? If so, be aware that there is a serious security flaw in the […]

Update VMWare Apps Now For Critical Security Vulnerabilities

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has issued an advisory that serves as a stark warning. If you’re using VMware products that are impacted by recently disclosed critical security flaws, either patch them immediately or remove them from your network. CISA issued the dire warning because the last time critical security flaws were discovered […]

Update Addresses Zero Day Exploit For Some Apple Devices

If you’re not familiar with the term, a Zero Day exploit is a security flaw that the software vendor is not aware of and hasn’t yet patched. In many (but not all) cases, Zero Day Vulnerabilities will also have publicly available proof-of-concept exploits before a patch becomes available.  Quite often, these flaws are being actively […]

New Phishing Attack Delivers Three Types Of Malware To Victims

Phishing campaigns get more effective the more closely they can imitate a trusted source.  Recently, security researchers at Fortinet discovered evidence of a phishing campaign that specifically targets Microsoft Windows users and installs three different types of malware on the systems it manages to infect. Among other things, this campaign gives the hackers behind it […]

Microsoft Warns New Sysrv Botnet Variant Is Dangerous

Security researchers employed by Microsoft have recently spotted a variant of the Sysrv botnet.  They have dubbed the new variant Sysrv-K. This new variant works in two ways.  First, it exploits a flaw in the Spring Cloud Gateway that allows remote code execution (tracked as CVE-2022-22947). Second, the botnet scans the web for WordPress plugins […]

You Might Need This HP Bios Security Update

HP recently released a BIOS update to address a pair of high-severity vulnerabilities that affect a wide range of PC and notebook products offered by the company.  In both cases, the vulnerabilities would allow an attacker to execute code arbitrarily and with Kernel level privileges. The two flaws are being tracked as CVE-2021-3808 and CVE-2021-3809 […]

Update Zyxel Products To Fix Possible Security Vulnerability

Do you use a Zyxel firewall?  If so, there’s good news.  The company has fixed an issue you may not have even been aware that you had. The company pushed out the fix in a silent update a little over two weeks ago, but when they implemented the push, they didn’t provide many details about […]

Say Goodbye To The Apple iPod

It is the end of an era.  Apple recently announced that they were discontinuing the legendary iPod, which is now in its 7th generation of production. When first released more than fifteen years ago, the iPod was an instant smash hit that almost singlehandedly created the digital music industry, moving it from the shadowy frontier […]

Windows 11 May Release New Feature For Copying Information

If you’re a member of the Windows Insiders group, then you are likely already aware of this. If not, here’s something else to look forward to when Windows 11 is formally released.  Microsoft has been experimenting with a new “Suggested Actions” feature when you copy data onto your clipboard. It all begins with Windows 11 […]

New Method Hides Malware In Windows Event Logs

At least one group of hackers has learned a new trick you need to be aware of.  Security researchers at Kapersky Lab have discovered a malicious campaign-in-progress that is using event logs to store malware. That is a technique that has not been seen or documented until now. This new methodology is designed for maximum […]

Beware Of New Backdoor Malware Targeting Linux Users

The name Kevin Beaumont may not be familiar to you, but if you’re a Linux or Solaris user, he may have just saved you a whole lot of grief. Recently, Mr. Beaumont discovered a stealthy backdoor malware that has been quietly infecting Linux and Solaris SPARC systems for more than five years.  BPFdoor only parses […]

New Phishing Scams Using Twitter Account Emails

Hackers around the world are increasingly targeting verified Twitter accounts with emails designed to pilfer your Twitter login credentials. Verified Twitter accounts differ from standard Twitter accounts in that they sport a large blue check mark next to the user’s name, which indicates that the person who owns the account is someone of considerable influence […]

Tricky Ransomware Encrypts Small Data But Overwrites Large Data

The MalwareHunterTeam recently discovered a new ransomware operation that is particularly nasty.  Called Onyx, outwardly, the operation does what most ransomware campaigns do.  It gets inside a corporate network, exfiltrates the data that it wants, then seems to encrypt the rest, and then threatens to release the files to the broader public unless their demands […]

Popular Service Being Used To Send Phishing Emails

Google SMTP relay service is wildly popular and used every day by legions of users.  Unfortunately, hackers around the world are aware of this and increasingly they’ve begun abusing the SMTP relay service. The basic idea is as follows. Some clever hackers have figured out that they can bypass email security products and deliver malicious […]

Security Warnings Coming To Certain Google Apps To Help Users

Google has been making some fantastic changes to bolster user security in recent weeks. That includes changes to their Google Play Store that will require developers to disclose exactly what data they plan to track and collect when users install the apps they create. In a related vein, the tech giant has also recently added […]

Three Big Companies Working On Passwordless Login Options

Ask just about any IT security professional and they will tell you that weak user passwords are one of the biggest problems and most persistent threats to corporate networks. Despite years of training, re-training, and near-constant reminders to strengthen passwords, users keep making the same mistakes. They’ll re-use the same password across multiple properties. They […]

New Delivery Method For Ransomware Discovered Called Bumblebee

Some interesting and disturbing changes are afoot in the hacking world.  It appears that the TrickBot gang is now working for the Conti Syndicate. TrickBot is a well-known group of botnet developers responsible for the creation of the BazarLoader. BazarLoader has been used by Conti in the past as their delivery system of choice when […]

Microsoft Edge Browser To Get Free Limited VPN

There’s a big change coming to the Microsoft Edge browser.  Big enough that it may prompt some users to switch to Edge. Recently, Microsoft announced that they’ll be adding a free built-in VPN (Virtual Private Network) service to Edge as part of a long-anticipated security upgrade.  Called “Edge Secure Network,” the Redmond giant is currently […]

Many IOT Devices At Risk Due To DNS Vulnerability

How many “smart” devices do you have connected to your home or company network?  It’s probably a higher number than you originally estimated.  However large that number is, it pays to be aware that IoT devices are some of the least secure devices available on the market today, which makes them the weakest link in […]

Users Without Internet Explorer Updates Are Vulnerable To Malware

Researchers at Bitdefender have discovered a new malware campaign.  This one uses an attack method that has fallen out of favor in recent months, called the Exploit Kit. Exploit Kits used to be all the rage. Flash Player was a popular target for Exploit Kit based attacks but it is now a thing of the […]

Google Assistant Tool Will Automate Password Changes

A handy new Google Assistant is coming soon to a device near you.  The new feature is designed to automate the frustrating and often time-consuming task of changing your passwords after a breach. This information is according to a tweet from Max Weinbach and a separate report from a group called the Android Police. Google […]

 Amazon Kindle Will Soon Support ePub Standard Files

Do you own an Amazon Kindle?  If so, you’re probably already aware of one of the major frustrations with the product.  Kindles are amazing but they don’t support the epub file format. Of course, epub is  the format that just about everybody else on the planet other than Amazon sells e-books in. The company has […]

Google Soon Informing Users About What Data Apps Collect

A small but important change is coming to your Android apps.  Soon you’ll notice a new Data Safety section on the Google Play Store which will provide greater transparency about exactly what data the apps you install are collecting. The change is meant to serve as a “privacy label” that will allow users to evaluate […]

Some Windows 11 Upgrade Links Could Be Malware

There’s a new hacking campaign underway that you need to be aware of especially if you or anyone you know is interested in upgrading to Windows 11. The campaign appears to be a legitimate offer from Microsoft and it gives users the opportunity to upgrade to Windows 11 for free. Unlike many campaigns of this […]

Netflix Will Soon Crack Down On Password Sharing

Netflix has been talking about cracking down on password sharing for years.  So far, it’s been just talk. Recently, the company suffered its first decrease in subscribers in recent memory. They lost more than 200,000 in the first quarter of 2022. That is a fact which sent their stock price reeling. According to the company’s […]

Microsoft Exchange Servers Targeted By Hackers

If you rely on a Microsoft Exchange server to handle email for your company, there is something you should be aware of. Recent research by security and analytics company Varonis has discovered that an affiliate of Hive ransomware has begun targeting Exchange servers that are vulnerable to ProxyShell security issues. If the group in question […]

Microsoft May Have A Fix For Windows 10 Freezing Issue

Has your Windows 10 machine been mysteriously freezing up on you lately?  If it has, you’re not alone.  Fortunately, Microsoft’s engineers have identified the root cause of that issue and have released a patch that fixes it. The patch you’re looking for is KB5012636. Be aware that this is a cumulative update preview patch for […]

Some Android Devices May Have Media File Security Vulnerability

Do you have an Android device?  Is it built around a Qualcomm or MediaTek chipset?  If you answered yes to both of those questions, be aware that researchers at Check Point have recently discovered an issue which could put your device at risk. The team discovered a flaw in the implementation of the ALAC (Apple […]

LinkedIn Now The Most Spoofed Website For Phishing Emails

Considered to be social media for professionals, LinkedIn is an invaluable tool for millions of people all over the world and a great way to make a wide range of professional connections. Unfortunately, hackers and scammers are aware of this fact and tend to gravitate to it as well. They are hoping to take advantage […]

Update Now If You Run This WordPress Plugin

Millions of people around the world have leveraged the awesome power of WordPress to build their sites.  Whether for personal or business use, WordPress has the flexibility and functionality to create just about any type of site you can dream of. A large part of this flexibility comes from the power of plugins, but that’s […]

Beware Zip Attachments In Emails Could Be Qbot Malware

The owners of the Qbot botnet are changing things up.  The botnet’s normal Modus Operandi for distributing their signature Qbot malware has been to push their malicious code via phishing emails which contain Microsoft Office documents laden with poisoned macros. More recently though, the group behind the botnet has switched to phishing emails carrying password-protected […]

This Banking Malware Can Fake Calls From Your Bank

There’s a new strain of malware that specifically targets Android users that you should be aware of.  Dubbed simply “Fakecalls,” it is a banking trojan that boasts a powerful new ability we haven’t seen before in the malware world.  It can fake a call from your bank. On its face, it looks like most of […]

Large Company Snap-On Tools Recently Hit By Data Breach

If you have any tools in your garage, odds are good that at least a few of them are Snap-on tools.  The brand is ubiquitous in the United States and the company is one of the leading manufacturers globally. They sell under a variety of different brand names and some of them you may not […]

Microsoft Edge Gets Overall Performance Boost

If you rely on Microsoft’s Edge browser to surf the web, you’re in luck.  The Redmond Giant has recently made some modifications to the browser’s “sleeping tabs” feature, which improves its overall performance and responsiveness. The Sleeping Tabs feature began rolling out for edge users running Beta 88 back in December of 2020. It had […]

HP Warns Users About Critical Security Vulnerability

Are you one of the legions of users who rely on the Teradici PCoIP client?  If so, be aware that whether you’re running Windows, Linux, or macOS, there’s a raft of new critical security vulnerabilities you need to be aware of. These are security issues that could potentially impact some fifteen million endpoints. The essence […]

Stay Compliant By Upping Your Cyber Security Practices

If you own or operate a business, there are plenty of things you must do to ensure success. You have to make the right hiring decisions; develop a product or service that you can sell; build relationships with clients, employees and partners; and much more. One of the biggest responsibilities that comes with owning or […]

Windows 11 Will Soon Get New Security Features

If you’re a member of the Windows Insiders group, you may already be aware of this. If you missed the company’s announcement be on the lookout for some new security improvements in upcoming releases. Microsoft has been playing an increasingly active role in countering a wide range of cybersecurity threats and their upcoming security enhancements […]

Sharkbot Malware Found In Several Android Antivirus Apps

If you own an Android device, odds are excellent that your go-to source for apps of any kind is the Google Play Store.  That includes antivirus apps to help keep your device safe. Unfortunately, the hackers of the world are aware of that fact and are always on the lookout for ways to capitalize on […]

VMWare Products Need Patched Now For Security Risks

If you use certain VMWAre products, be aware that the company has recently identified and issued a patch for a total of five critical security vulnerabilities. These are being tracked as: CVE-2022022954 (This issue is a server-side template injection remote code execution issue) CVE-2022-22955 CVE-2022-22956 (This issue, and the one above it are both OAuth2 […]

Millions Of Cash App Users Had Their Data Breached

Do you use the popular smartphone app “Cash App?”  If so, you’re certainly not alone.  It is wildly popular and used by millions of people around the world. As one of the most wildly popular things on the web, that has made it a target. Cash App was formerly known as Square. Recently, they submitted […]

Cracked Software Downloads Are Spreading FFDroider Malware

There’s a new malware threat to keep an eye out for according to researchers from Zscaler.  Dubbed FFDroider, this one is known for hijacking a variety of social media accounts and stealing credentials and cookies stores in web browsers. Given the dominance of social media properties on the web, that makes FFDroider a serious threat. […]

AMD Finds Issue That Causes CPU To Be Overclocked

Over the past few weeks, there’s been a bit of an uproar on various social media channels. Many AMD users are reporting inexplicable changes to their BIOS settings which users were never asked to approve. AMD began investigating the issue and isolated it to AMD Ryzen chips and it appears the company’s user base was […]

Apple Released Zero Day Hack Fix For Devices And Computers

If you’re an Apple user and you have an iPhone, a Mac, or both, you’ll want to grab the company’s most recent security update. The latest release pushes out fixes for a pair of zero-day vulnerabilities that researchers have seen actively exploited in the wild. The flaws in question are being tracked as CVE-2022-22674 and […]

Upgrade Now To Fix iPhone Battery Issues

Do you have an iPhone?  If so, are you running IOS 15.4?  If you are, you may have noticed an unusual power drain on your battery that’s dramatically shortening the life per charge.  That’s the kiss of death for any handheld device and if you’re experiencing the issue, you’re not alone. The good news is […]

 Critical Security Issues Might Affect Many HP Printers

Do you have an HP LaserJet Pro, a Pagewide Pro, an OfficeJet, Enterprise, Large Format, or DeskJet printer at your home or in your office? If so, then be aware that your machine is likely vulnerable to at least one of four security vulnerabilities rated as critical. The first of these is a buffer overflow […]

This New Malware Wants To Steal Your Data

A nasty new malware strain has recently been spotted in the wilds by researchers at zScaler. Dubbed “BlackGuard” the malicious code has been found on a variety of Russian underground Blackhat forums.  It is offered as a service and anyone criminally minded can access the code for the bargain price of just $200 a month. […]

This Android Malware Will Steal Your Facebook Credentials

Do you have an Android device?  Even if you don’t, you know someone who does. Google is incredibly good at spotting poisoned copies of apps on its Play Store and getting rid of them before they can spread to the devices of users who rely on the safety and security offered by the Play Store. […]

Cyber Insurance and Multi-Factor Authentication

Cyber Insurance and Multi-Factor Authentication Introduction Here’s what you, as an SMB owner, need to know about MFA: It’s an incredibly effective cybersecurity tool It’s easy to implement/use It’s not costly Most cyber insurance carriers now require MFA But let’s go into a little more detail than that. In this quick read, you’re going to […]

Some Microsoft’s Source Code Was Stolen By Hacker Group

Microsoft recently confirmed that an account belonging to one of their employees was compromised by the Lapsus$ hacking group, which allowed them to abscond with portions of the company’s source code. Yes, you read that correctly.  Microsoft got hacked.  They now join the latest in a seemingly unending parade of large tech companies to have […]

Some Microsoft Servers Are Experiencing DNS Problems After Update

Do you use Windows Server 2019?  If so, then you may be experiencing some issues as of the latest update. According to details published on the Windows Health Dashboard, customers who installed updates released on January 25th or later may experience DNS issues relating to DNS stub zones. The company had this to say about […]

Security Vulnerability Found In Wyze Security Cameras

Do you have a Wyze Cam?  If you’re not sure what that is, it’s an internet camera that offers a low-cost solution to those who are interested in playing around with video and not willing to spend a ton of money on it. Unfortunately, in this instance it’s a budget option with a bite and […]

One Click Default Browser Choice Coming To Windows 11

One of the latest revelations to come from the Windows 11 development team is that Microsoft is working on streamlining the process of setting a default web browser for Windows 11 users. The new paradigm under development will allow the selection to be made with a single click! The new change was rolled out on […]

Chromebook Users Will Get New Tools And Features Soon

Do you own a Chromebook?  If so, be aware that version 100 of the Chrome OS and Chrome Browser boasts a new launcher.  Simply press the “Everything” button which is located on the left-hand corner of your screen to open the Chrome OS launcher. Like the Windows Start button and the macOS “Spotlight” feature, the […]

Mobile Devices Connected To Windows Known As Phone Link

Microsoft recently announced that it was doing a bit of re-branding. The company’s apps that connect Android and iPhones to your Windows PC were formally called “Your Phone.” Under the new re-naming scheme, those apps will now be called “Phone Link.” Hand in hand with that change, Microsoft is also re-naming the mobile companion app, which […]

Microsoft Help Files Are Being Used To Distribute This Spyware

Diana Lopera is a researcher for Trustwave Cybersecurity and has stumbled across something that’s one part interesting and one part disturbing. Apparently, a group of hackers are trying a new approach to distribute their malicious code which is leveraging Microsoft’s HTML help files. Yes, you read that correctly.  It’s an innovative technique that’s not only […]

Outlook Having PDF Preview Issues With Microsoft PowerToys

Do you use Microsoft PowerToys?  If you’re not sure what that is then you probably don’t. If you’re curious, Microsoft has an open-source set of tools called PowerToys which is designed to allow power users to customize their Windows environments to taste. In some instances, for some Microsoft 365 users, if the user in question […]

New GIMMICK Malware Targets MacOS Users

If you follow the global threat landscape closely, then you may already be aware of a notorious Chinese hacking collective known as “Storm Cloud.” What few people know is that this group seems to be the driving force behind a new variant of malware that researchers have recently spotted in the wild. Dubbed “GIMMICK” by the […]

Data Breach Announced At Popular Photo Site Shutterfly

Online photography platform Shutterfly is the latest high-profile company to fall victim to a hacking attack.  The company recently disclosed that in December of last year (2021) they were targeted by the Conti gang, who successfully breached their system and initiated a ransomware attack. The company’s breach notification statement was sent to impacted users and […]

Fake Work From Home Opportunities Are Phishing For Data

It’s no secret that the pandemic changed the way much of the world works.  Tens of millions of people are now working from home with millions more eyeing that as a very real possibility. Unfortunately, the pandemic also changed what kinds of opportunities hackers and scammers are targeting. It shouldn’t come as a great shock […]

A Disguised Windows License Activator May Actually Be Malware

People who are in the habit of pirating movies and software have something new to worry about.  It seems hackers have begun targeting at least some of them with a ubiquitous form of malware. On the Dark Web, anyone who is willing to shell out twenty bucks or so can get their hands on a […]

Google Play Store Is Seeing More Trojan Style Malware

A security researcher who goes by the name “Dr. Web” has been tracking a suspicious increase in Trojan infiltration emanating from the Google Play Store. It is not currently known whether a single organized and determined group of hackers is responsible for the surge or if several groups just happen to be focused on the […]

Automotive Part Maker Denso Is Latest To Have Data Breached

The automotive parts giant named DENSO is the latest corporation to fall victim to a hacking attack.  The company has offices all over the world and supplies parts to brands including General Motors, Fiat, Volvo, Toyota, and others. Collectively the company and its subsidiaries employ more than 160,000 people and boasts revenues of more than […]

 Secure Your SQL Server To Avoid This Malware Infection

Do you rely on Microsoft SQL and MySQL databases?  If so, be advised that the cybersecurity firm AhnLab recently published a report about a newly emerging threat. It seems that hackers are now targeting poorly secured Microsoft SQL and MySQLdatabases with a malware strain known as GhostCringe. If you’re not familiar with it, GhostCringe is […]

Email Phishing Attackers Are Pretending To Be The IRS

Emotet is in the news again according to the latest information from email security firm Cofense.  Emotet is notorious for spreading via phishing campaigns and this latest phishing campaign sees them impersonating the IRS. By all outward appearances, the emails look legitimate. The Emotet gang knows that with so many people feeling harried during tax […]

Work Smarter, Not Harder — Tech Tips That Will Take You To The Next Level

Most business owners want nothing more than for their businesses to be successful. This is much easier said than done since there are so many variables involved. One of the most frequent that can be difficult to control is employee productivity. With so many businesses operating remotely, productivity has become more of a concern than […]

File Explorer May Get Tabs In Windows 11

Are you a Windows Insider?  If so, be aware that the company is testing a “hidden” new feature you’re probably going to love. It’s a small change but its impact is enormous. The feature is the Tabbed File Explorer! The experimental feature must be explicitly enabled but once it is it works a lot like […]

 You May See Ads For Microsoft Products With Windows 11

Microsoft may have inadvertently signaled that they are soon going to reincorporate ads into Microsoft 11, which is going to please exactly no one. In the most recent Windows Insiders build, third party ads were displayed but only briefly. They vanished as of the next update. The company responded to the angry inquires that the sudden […]

Clipchamp Will Soon Replace Movie Maker For Windows 11

If you’re an early adopter playing with the Windows 11 builds as they come out and you are a “Windows Insider,” then you probably already know this. In the latest build, users were treated to a raft of new improvements and enhancements including a new Windows 11 video editor called Clipchamp.  The build with the […]

Cyber Insurance and Compliance

Cyber Insurance and Compliance Introduction Before you purchase a cyber insurance policy for your organization, the insurance company will want to know what sort of risk it’s accepting by taking you on as a client. And, simply put, the more compliant you are, the less of a risk you pose. So, before you even contact […]

This Malware Phishing Campaign Hijacks Email Conversations

Hackers have been using social engineering tricks to get their malicious code onto the systems of unsuspecting victims. This has been happening for almost as long as the internet has been around. It’s one of the most common tactics in use today, primarily because it’s so simple and effective. Trial and error have shown hackers […]

Some AMD Ryzen CPU Users Experiencing Windows 11 Issues

Do you have a PC with an AMD Ryzen CPU?  If so, be aware that AMD has found an issue which causes “temporary pauses in system interactivity or responsiveness.” The issue affects some Windows 10 and Windows 11 systems with the Firmware Trusted Platform Module (fTPM) enabled. If you’re not familiar with it, the fTPM […]

New Archive Feature Helps Mobile Users Save Space

The problem with smartphones is that they eventually run out of room.  Honestly it’s a wonder the issue isn’t even bigger than it is.  After all, miniaturization isn’t cheap but smartphone manufacturers have been able to cram incredible amounts of storage into tiny spaces. The day is coming when you’re going to run out of […]

Hackers Get Source Code During Data Breach At Samsung

Samsung’s corporate network was breached recently.  That’s bad news all by itself. The company has recently confirmed that in addition to the confidential customer information that was stolen, the hackers also made off with the source code for the software used in the company’s Galaxy smartphones. The hackers responsible for the attack call themselves “Lapsus$.”  […]

Hackers Are Increasingly Targeting Mobile Devices

Here’s a statistic you’re not going to like.  Based on research conducted by cybersecurity researchers at Proofpoint, there has been a staggering 500 percent increase in malware attacks against mobile devices during the opening months of 2022. The most significant peak so far this year occurred at the end of February. Most of the malware […]

Google Messages Users On Android Get New Features

Do you use Google Messages?  If so, there’s good news!  In recent months, the company has taken steps to bridge the Windows and iOS ecosystems the Android ecosystems and the iOS ecosystems. They’ve been creating a more seamless user experience and allowing users from those various ecosystems to communicate and share more easily. The latest […]

This Popular Fitbit Watch Has Been Recalled

Do you own an Ionic smartwatch?  If you haven’t heard yet, be advised that Fitbit has issued a voluntary recall of the devices produced between 2017 and 2020. It’s also worth mentioning that at the start of this year (2022) FitBit was acquired by Google. So if the contact information you see on the FibBit […]

These Medical Devices Are Vulnerable To Security Threats

Thanks to the fine folks at Palo Alto Networks we have a better view of the relative safety and security of network-capable medical devices.  Unfortunately, the news is grim. Based on their findings after examining more than 200,000 infusion pumps, about half are vulnerable to critical security issues. Yes you read that correctly. That’s 100,000 […]

People Are Still Not Using Secure Passwords Despite Warnings

It’s 2022 and after years of warning people repeatedly about the dangers of using the same old passwords and using the same password across multiple websites, you would think this would get better. You would think we’d have that problem solved and there would be one less network security risk to worry about. Unfortunately, if […]

Network Security Breach Confirmed At Nvidia

Nvidia joined the seemingly unending parade of major corporations to fall victim of a hacking attack.  Recently, a group of hackers calling itself “Lapsus$” began sharing details about the incident and the damage that it caused. Nvidia confirmed the attack. Nvidia released a formal statement which reads in part as follows: “On February 23, 2022, […]

Chip Makers Are Already Planning For WiFi7

We barely got to know Wi-Fi 6 but companies like Qualcomm are already making plans for the next generation of Wi-Fi technology. They are working on Wi-Fi 7 which is otherwise known as 802.11. Granted, the new standard is a long way from being ready to roll out, so don’t expect to see any equipment […]

Android Users Need To Watch Out For Teabot Trojan

If you have smart devices in the Android ecosystem, there’s a new threat to be aware of in the form of a malware strain called Teabot.  This bit of malicious code is a Remote Access Trojan or RAT for short. The group behind the code is making a big push to see it spread worldwide. […]

Scammers Cost Americans Billions Of Dollars In 2021

The US Federal Trade Commission reports that Americans lost almost six billion dollars to fraud last year.  The $5.8 billion total represented a catastrophic 70 percent increase compared to the losses reported in 2020. The FTC maintains a database of millions of consumer records it uses to track such information. Based on the statistics gleaned […]

New Phishing Emails Target Citibank Account Holders

Are you a Citibank customer?  If so, be aware that a group of scammers is specifically targeting Citibank account holders. The campaign is incredibly convincing, and the emails look just like official communications from the company.  All logos have been copied and are positioned correctly.  The sender address appears genuine at first glance and the […]