Antivirus Vendors
A pre-installed backdoor on more than 700 Android devices was discovered by Kryptowire. The backdoor allows a Chinese company called Adups to transmit information like text messages, contact lists, and IMEI numbers without users’ knowledge or consent – every 72 hours.
WhatsApp is to add encrypted video calling to its service on Monday, as it continues to bolsters security on the app.
The post WhatsApp to offer encrypted video calling appeared first on WeLiveSecurity.
A new airline scam is promising people free Emirates flight tickets if they take part in a “fast survey”, ESET’s Denise Giusto Bilić reports.
The post New airline scam promises free Emirates flight tickets appeared first on WeLiveSecurity.
Software updates can be like the proverbial “one wafer-thin mint” of Monty Python fame. It should only take a little nibble of our time, then the process drags on and on. Or something explodes, like the stomach of Mr. Creosote.
The post Just one wafer-thin update appeared first on Avira Blog.
Wi-Fi networking is absolutely essential to the modern home. From smartphones to games consoles to intelligent thermostats like Nest, virtually every appliance now requires a wireless internet connection.
As a result, there is all kinds of valuable information being transmitted across your Wi-Fi network – credit card numbers, passwords and sensitive photos and files. Which makes your network a natural target for cybercriminals.
Because you can’t see wireless network signals, you cannot easily tell how far they reach. It is not unusual for your network to extend into the street outside your house – which provides an opportunity for hackers to get connected.
Using basic cracking tools, it is possible to bypass Wi-Fi network security in as little as 10 minutes. It may be that these hackers simply want to use your internet connection to get online – not as serious as stealing your sensitive personal information, but still stealing nonetheless.
The first sign that your Wi-Fi network has been compromised will probably be a general decrease in internet speeds. The more people connected to your network, the more problems you will have loading webpages or streaming videos
If you notice anything strange happening on your network, you must investigate. The first thing to check will be the Wi-Fi router itself.
Log into your router using the username and password supplied when it was installed (they are often printed on a sticker on the rear of the unit). The specifics for each router are different, but you are looking for the Wi-Fi status page which lists all the devices that have connected, or are connected, to your network.
These details may be under a section called Attached Devices, Device List or Home Network for instance.
The list should look something like the image below (we’ve blocked out some of the most sensitive details):
Have a look through the listing, looking for any devices that are unfamiliar. Any devices you don’t recognise indicate a hacker may have compromised your network security.
It is possible that some of the devices have “unfriendly” names that aren’t immediately recognisable, but which are completely legitimate. Make sure you check all of your Wi-Fi-attached devices before panicking!
There are a number of advanced techniques for improving your Wi-Fi network security, like locking down network access to pre-approved devices based on the unique MAC identifier. Far simpler, and almost as effective, is to simply choose a more robust security protocol.
The latest, most secure option is WPA2 as shown below:
Just remember that if you do change the security protocol setting, you may have to reconnect all of your Wi-Fi devices – but that’s a small price to pay to prevent people cracking their way onto the network.
You should also add a second layer of security to deal with the eventuality that a hacker still manages to break in. A comprehensive security application installed on your PCs and Android phones will help prevent your personal data being stolen. This has the added benefit of blocking viruses and to protect younger members of your family from questionable web content.
you need to stay aware of what is happening on your network to keep the bad guys out. These tips will help you tell if something is wrong and help to formulate an effective response.
In the meantime, download a free trial of Panda Security to protect your PCs while you check your router.
The post How to tell if your Wi-Fi network has been hacked appeared first on Panda Security Mediacenter.
A teenager has admitted being behind last year’s TalkTalk cyberattack, explaining he compromised the company’s website to “show off” to his friends.
The post Teenager admits to TalkTalk cyberattack appeared first on WeLiveSecurity.
Phishing continues to blight the Internet and is a thorn in the side of companies around the globe. Not only is it one of the most serious problems facing any company with even a minimal activity on the Web, it is also an ever-increasing threat.
So much so, that a recent study has revealed that in the last year alone there have been more than a million attacks of this nature. This means that on average, a phishing attack is launched every thirty seconds with the aim of defrauding companies and home-users alike. In the case of businesses, the damage inflicted by this onslaught is nothing short of dramatic: the total cost to companies around the world is in excess of 9,000 million dollars, more than 8,000 million euros at today’s exchange rate.
The total cost to companies around the world is in excess of 9,000 million dollars.
Given this situation, in addition to having proper protection, it is more important than ever that companies follow a series of recommendations to prevent falling victim to an attack that could have grave financial consequences. Checking the source of each email you receive and not accessing bank websites from links included in emails are two of the basic precautions you can take to avoid falling into the traps set by cyber-criminals.
What makes these and other similar measures so essential is the dramatic increase in phishing attacks that has taken place over the last year. In the second quarter of 2016 alone, more than half a million unique attacks were identified, that’s a 115 percent increase on the previous quarter. Moreover, the increase with respect to the same period in 2015 is even more alarming: 308 percent.
In the second quarter of the year “Phishing” attacks have been incresing in a 115 %
To counter this situation, it is essential for companies to ensure that their employees are aware that they must only enter confidential data on trusted websites which, as with all secure pages, have an address starting with HTTPS. Phishing attacks are on the rise and they are also evolving. Now, for example, not only are they aimed at identity theft on social networks or taking money from current accounts, they are also being used to steal from e-Wallets.
The post A phishing attack is launched every thirty seconds: 6 tips to protect yourself appeared first on Panda Security Mediacenter.
Kaspersky Lab today announced its predictions for 2017, which are prepared annually by the Company’s expert Global Research and Analysis Team (GReAT) and are based on its wide-ranging insight and expertise.
