Antivirus Vendors
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has revealed that it was the victim of a cyberattack, which it has attributed to the Russian cyber espionage group, Tsar Team (APT28).
The post WADA cyberattack compromises agency’s database appeared first on WeLiveSecurity.
Locky ransomware goes on Stealth Autopilot – latest ransomware configuration encrypts files without communication or directions from Evil Overlords
The post Locky ransomware goes on Autopilot appeared first on Avira Blog.
Because we rely on technology to manage every detail of our lives, devices are a natural target for criminals. Why steal your wallet when they can grab your online banking password and empty your account remotely?
Keeping your PC and other devices secure is incredibly important. Here are five ways you to avoid becoming a victim of cybercrime.
Since the launch of Windows Vista, Microsoft has included a feature called “User Account Control” in every version of their Windows operating system – including Windows 10. This built-in security function prompts you to enter a user name and password every time a new piece of software is installed. Without the password, the software will not be installed.
For many people, this constant prompting for a password is extremely annoying – so they simply disable User Account Control (UAC). Once turned off, software can be installed silently – making it much easier for viruses and malware to infect your PC. If you have disabled UAC, you need to re-enable it now.
There are over 205 billion emails sent every day, making it one of the most popular communications methods available. This is why email is used so often to launch cyberattacks.
From infected attachments that install malware, to phishing scams that trick you into disclosing sensitive information, your inbox is a potential minefield. You must learn to treat incoming email with caution, double-checking attachments and links before clicking them.
If you can get into this habit, your mailbox will be a lot safer place.
Cyberattack methods are constantly evolving, and staying on top of security developments is a full-time job for seasoned IT experts. You can reduce the risk of becoming a victim by installing a trusted anti-malware solution like those offered by Panda Security.
Antivirus and internet security tools are designed to test files and we links automatically, blocking and removing harmful content before it can infect your PC. Preventing malware infections is much more effective that trying to remove them later.
Don’t reuse your passwords
The average internet user has 26 different online accounts. It’s no surprise then that we tend to use the same logon details over and over again – we typically share the same five passwords between our accounts. But if a password is cracked by hackers, they have everything needed to access all of the accounts that share that same word.
If you really can’t remember all of your different passwords, a tool like a Password Manager can. This apps generate unique, “strong” passwords and store them securely. When you need to logon, the password app “remembers” the correct logon details for you automatically.
When out and about, free WiFi hotspots can be a lifesaver, but everything is not always as it seems. Criminals have been known to set up wireless networks in public places in order to trap unsuspecting victims. These fake WiFi hotspots then collect all of the data sent and received by people connected to it – including sensitive data like credit card numbers and passwords.
You must always check that the hotspot is from a reputable provider – if you’re not sure, don’t connect. You can always ask a member of staff for assistance. If you will be using your device on public networks regularly, you should also consider whether a secure VPN subscription would help to keep you even safer.
Although keeping your PC safe may feel like a battle, many of the challenges can be overcome through the use of good security tools, and your own common sense. For more help and advice on how to keep your PC secure from criminals, please get in touch.
The post 5 simple tricks to boost your PC security appeared first on Panda Security Mediacenter.
The most recent update to Google’s operating system, the most widely used around the world, is now available for Nexus devices and will soon be out there for users of all other devices, as manufacturers begin to include it.
As is often the case, it will be some time before it is universally adopted, though there appear to be good reasons to take the leap as soon as possible, many of them related to security.
Firstly, the new version of Android includes a feature dubbed DirectBoot, designed so that the device begins to operate immediately after a restart. This means that if it is switched off and on again without the user noticing, the services and programs configured to do so will start to operate right away, without having to wait for the device to be unlocked. This includes critical apps such as antivirus solutions, which will be able to protect the device from the moment it is active.
When the device restarts, apps will start to operate without having to wait for the phone to be unlocked.
Nougat also includes a new file encryption system allowing files to be secured individually, without having to encrypt the entire device. For business users, Android for Work also delivers improvements to VPN usage. Company security managers will now be able to force all company devices to be connected at all times, and exclusively through secure VPNs.
The Android update also places restrictions on permissions shared across applications, and prevents apps with administrator privileges from accessing particularly sensitive features, such as changing device PINs or passwords.
Nougat will prevent ‘apps’ from changing the PIN or password of a device.
Another welcome new feature that will simplify the essential task of installing new updates is that Nougat users won’t have to wait for apps to configure one by one after an update (but only for new phones optimized for Nougat). This was something that could take up to half an hour, depending on the apps on a device, and in the future will take place in the background, without interfering with the ability to use the phone.
All these improvements, along with some minor changes, mean that making the switch to Nougat should be a priority for all companies that work with Android. It’s just a question of waiting for device manufacturers to have the update ready.
The post Nougat, the new, more secure version of Android appeared first on Panda Security Mediacenter.
Kaspersky Lab experts have discovered a new malicious application on the Google Play store titled “Guide for Pokémon Go” which has been downloaded more than 500,000 times, with at least 6,000 successful infections.
It is this time of the year when children are heading back to school. Not only will they be taking with them their memories from an amazing summer spent chasing Pokemons, and their hopes to have fun while learning more about the world… they’ll also be taking lots of consumer electronics. A recent study by the Consumer Technology Association suggests that consumers will spend more than $15 billion on back-to-school technology; this is a colossal sum. No matter how old your children are, they’ll either have a cell phone, a smartwatch, portable memory sticks, a tablet or a laptop. For some of them, this may even be the first time they are alone with the new technology you’ve just bought them. And with great power comes great responsibility.
Here at Panda, we’ve drawn up a list of products that your children will most likely be taking to school with them this Fall:
Cell phones could be a distraction and are forbidden in a number of schools here in the USA. However, there is now a way around it – connected smartwatches. They connect straight to the LTE network making it possible to make and receive calls.
Cell phones are the main focus of new hacker attacks and malware, so don’t forget to install a security product to protect your children. Moreover, in many cases security products can also protect and monitor smartwatches.
Delivering a presentation and taking notes has never been easier. Having a laptop or a tablet at school is a must, almost every publisher offers digital versions of their textbooks. Say goodbye to the heavy backpack!
Make sure you install trustworthy programs and remember, you should always have the latest version with all security patches applied, this prevents security holes from being exploited by viruses.
Every day children exchange pen-drives with schoolmates. Make sure you have the tools needed to protect your PC and Mac. Most of the time kids don’t even realise their pen drives are infected.
Did you know that many infections occur directly from USB drives? To protect against this type of infection, be sure to choose an antivirus which, when any USB drive (external hard drive, device, USB, etc.) is inserted, offers the possibility to scan it and clean it in case of infection, so you can use it without risk.
Whether it’s the latest graphic design software or simply a tool that helps you solve math problems, the software you have on your children’s learning devices is as important and as the devices themselves.
Nowadays, technology and BYOD devices are a huge part of the learning process and our children’s lives and future have never been so reliant on technology. Let’s make sure we teach them how to take advantage safely of the benefits the 21st century offers them. All these products can be protected as Panda Security detects and blocks 99.9% of threats no matter what devices or platform they are using. So sleep tight while we work on detecting the remaining 0.01%.
The post Are your children ready to go back to school? appeared first on Panda Security Mediacenter.
Don’t lose any of your personal data! Please read before upgrading to iOS 10.
The post iOS 10 is coming! See how to keep your personal data from erasing appeared first on Avira Blog.
Recently ESET has seen significantly increasing volumes of a particular type of ransomware known as crypto-ransomware, reports Cassius Puodzius.
The post How encryption molded crypto-ransomware appeared first on WeLiveSecurity.
Kaspersky Lab today released new research which reveals that on average, a single cybersecurity incident now costs large businesses a total of $861,000.
As our GM Fred Gerritse has shared this year, our distribution go-to-market model has been top of mind for us this year and key to driving value for our partners.
Building a strong distributor network lets us better respond to the security needs of business customers as our AVG channel grows and scales globally. Central to this is finding distribution partners that share our security commitment and bring the expertise and capabilities to sell our full line of AVG Business solutions.
This week, we are announcing the addition of two new European value-added distributors to our AVG channel: Sigma Software Distribution in the UK and Dexceo in the Nordics. Both distributors will provide our full line of AVG Business solutions.
Sigma, who was named CRN UK’s Specialist Distributor of the Year, is a great example of a partner that aligns to our vision with the track record to show they mean business.
Sigma General Manager Jane Silk shared her thoughts on the new Sigma-AVG relationship, “We always strive to truly understand our partners’ needs and establish long term relationships that drive opportunities. The AVG relationship is one where we can work transparently, develop the best model for the channel and then prove this in the marketplace.
“AVG’s proven security expertise and its advanced technology will help us immediately respond to challenges our partners face in the current threat landscape. Product innovations such as AVG Managed Workplace that offer a centralized, automated platform to manage security while also helping our partners provide more services to their customers, have us very excited.”
Sigma has demonstrated consistent and sustainable growth in its specialty field. As proof, the company has delivered seven consecutive years of revenue and profit increases. Sigma’s operating model includes a dedicated sales development team with the knowledge base to work closely with re-sellers to support training, identify cross-sell opportunities, manage deal registration and more.
Our UK team is at the Insight Technology Show in Manchester today and will be sharing more about the Sigma-AVG relationship.
Dexceo, a leading Scandinavian security distributor and our first AVG Business solutions distributor in Denmark, is also ready to start marketing AVG Business solutions. The Dexceo team shared its AVG news this week with Danish media.
Dexceo specializes in IT security and network solutions for an international business client base and carefully selects its IT suppliers and re-sellers to maintain the company’s high quality and service standards. Dexceo is a relatively young company but we are impressed by the team’s experience, knowledge base and growing partner network. The company has also acknowledged a need to complement its security portfolio with cloud security and remote monitoring and management solutions. Both AVG Managed Workplace and AVG CloudCare will support Dexceo’s needs to deliver increased visibility across IT environments and efficiency in deploying and maintaining security services.
Dennis Wøldike, founder of Dexceo, shared his view of the AVG opportunity for Danish businesses, “We are looking forward to building our relationship with AVG and extending new benefits and opportunities to our partner network. As an AVG trusted partner, we can offer new security innovation and a range of solutions and services for the Scandinavian market.”
The additions of Dexceo and Sigma are a natural extension of our partner-focused model and complement our specialty focus, as well as our existing and valued broad line distributors.
We look forward to building strong relationships and sharing big results.
