Category Archives: Avast

Avast

Avast’s New Call Blocker App Helps Users Avoid Unwanted Calls

Avoid spam calls with Avast Call Blocker

Keep calm and pick up the phone with Avast Call Blocker.

For many iOS users, spam calls have slowly but steadily become a regular and bothersome part of life. Although users can label specified numbers as spam on their device, this is time-consuming and quickly gets old. Many call blocking apps require access to users’ contact lists, which isn’t ideal, as private contacts shouldn’t need to be seen by companies in order to provide protection.

Ransomware doesn't sell itself: Marketing malware on the darknet

My colleagues from the Avast Threat Labs published an interesting (and detailed) blog post about Petya ransomware and its little brother, Mischa. This duo works together to encrypt disks and files, pushing innocent victims to pay thousands of dollars to regain access to their computers and files. Particularly interesting is that the ransomware authors have an established marketing strategy to promote Petya and Mischa. They created a brand for the ransomware, as well as an affiliate program, making it possible for the IT-savvy average Joe to distribute the ransomware.

Inside Petya and Mischa Ransomware

Petya and Mischa ransomware, come as a package deal, distributed by its creators, Janus. They are very unusual in that they combine two different methods to encrypt user data. Unlike most other ransomware, Petya primarily encrypts MFT (Master File Table) and MBR (Master Boot Record). If Petya has insufficient privileges to access MBR on HDD (Hard Disk Drive), the Mischa module is deployed and encrypts files one by one.

Oktoberfest 2016: How to quickly connect to secure Wi-Fi in Munich

Oktoberfest Wi-Fi

This Saturday, the 183rd Oktoberfest will take place on the Theresienwiese in Munich, Germany. People will travel to the Bavarian capital from all over the world to enjoy beer, music, chicken, cotton candy, amusement rides and more!

If you are traveling to Munich for Oktoberfest, you probably want to share your exciting beer hall photos and videos with friends and family to show off (as soon as possible) what an awesome time you are having! You may also need to access Google Maps to find your way around the city while sightseeing. Now, you’re probably asking yourself: How am I going to do this, unless I pay for an expensive international plan?