Cisco Talos said that 3.2 million servers are vulnerable to the JBoss flaw used as the initial point of compromise in the recent SamSam ransomware attacks.
Tag Archives: Education
What you share online may be revealed to others
Every year we celebrate Data Privacy Day by thinking about what we post online, what methods we use to connect, and the security of the devices we use.
Data Privacy Day (DPD) is an international effort held annually on January 28 to create awareness about the importance of privacy and protecting personal information. Avast knows that security these days means more than protection against viruses. Online threats put your security and personal data at risk. You not only have to protect your desktop PC, but also your mobile devices. Your privacy can be violated by the apps you use, and bad guys can even invade your home through your home router.
Fortunately, these threats can be managed when you take the advice of Data Privacy Day:
STOP. THINK. CONNECT.
Here’s some tips and solutions from Avast to help you manage all the privacy needs on your devices.
Share with care
Think about the consequences of what you post online, especially in social networks. Think about what others could learn about you and who might see your posts in the future ‒ teachers, parents, colleges, and potential employers.
What you post can last a lifetime, so choose wisely what you share publicly.
Own your online presence: Set the privacy and security settings on web services and devices to your comfort level for information sharing. It’s ok to limit how and with whom you share information.
Want to view or change your privacy/security settings, but don’t know where to find them? Use the direct links gathered for DPD to update your privacy settings on popular devices and online services.
Stay CyberAware while on the go
Don’t count on public Wi-Fi networks and hotspots to be safe; anyone could potentially see what you are doing on your mobile device while you are connected. Avast Wi-Fi Finder locates safe and reliable connections in your area.
If no secured networks are to be found, then you can connect using Avast’s virtual private network (VPN) app called Avast SecureLine VPN. It encrypts your connect to prevent hackers from stealing your data via public/open Wi-Fi hotspot networks.
Personal information is like money. Value it. Protect it.
Protect your PC or Mac. Bank account numbers, passwords, photos, messages and emails – all of them need some form of protection to stay out of the wrong hands. One of the easiest steps to take is to get strong protection like Avast Antivirus. Avast does what you would expect – detects and blocks viruses and malware, but it has a unique feature called Home Network Security which strengthens your home network by scanning your home router for vulnerabilities.
Protect your mobile devices. Much of your life is on your mobile devices – banking information, private messages, and photos. Protect all your data with Avast Mobile Security, free from Google Play.
Protect your passwords. The best tip: Avoid using easy-to-crack passwords like 123456 or password. We know when you have an average of 19 passwords to remember that that advice can be a bit difficult. Avast Passwords for PC, iOS, and Android automatically generates extremely strong passwords that you don’t have to struggle to remember! All you do is set and remember one master password to access all your passwords across your devices.
Data Privacy Day might be celebrated on January 28, but the principles need to be practiced everyday so you can make sure your privacy is protected around-the-clock. Here at Avast, we strive to give you the tools to do that. Please share these tips and Avast solutions with the important people in your life.
How to nurture your child’s security genius
Is your child an internet security genius? If cybersecurity is their thing and you think it could be their future livelihood, here’s what you can do to harness that potential for a career that is exciting and financially lucrative. Sign up for free online courses Signing up for the CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional) course
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Back to university: cybersecurity now a major concern in higher education
Cybersecurity in higher education was top of mind and top of the agenda at the latest Campus Technology conference, in Boston.
The post Back to university: cybersecurity now a major concern in higher education appeared first on We Live Security.
Ohio school district teams up with Avast for Business
Avast teamed up with Chillicothe City School District in Ohio to provide free antivirus software their schools.
The best defense is a good offense.
Educational institutions manage sensitive data including names, birthdays, and even social security numbers. That data needs to be secured to ensure sensitive student data remains confidential. Tyler Hisel is an IT technician the Chillicothe City School District in Ohio. Tyler recently started protecting his school with Avast for Business. “We had AVG before switching to Avast and we really needed to simplify our security solution.”
Servicing an entire school district’s IT needs is a challenge. That’s why Tyler said he needed software with easy-to-use centralized management where he could monitor the district’s devices. “Avast was cost saving and had lots of features that I was surprised came free,” said Tyler.
Tyler discovered Avast for Business by searching for free antivirus software for business. He explored all of the options and after considering the alternatives decided that Avast for Business was the best antivirus software for the district. “All we wanted was a simple security solution that worked, and I knew we didn’t have to pay a fortune for it.”
Budget wasn’t the biggest factor in Tyler’s decision but he claimed that it was definitely important. There were other security solutions that fit most of Tyler’s qualifications but he says that Avast for Business’ nonexistent price tag and centralized management made it the clear choice. When asked if he would recommend Avast to others he replied saying, “We’ve told businesses in the area about it already!”
Tyler’s final thoughts on Avast for Business were simply this, “I’ve got to hand it to you, it’s really an impressive product and it being free just makes it better.”
Avast for Business is free for schools, small and medium sized businesses and non-profit organizations. Visit our Avast for Business website to learn more and sign up.
What I learned at Cyber Boot Camp (Instructor Edition)
Teaching computer security to highly motivated students at Cyber Boot Camp reveals a lack of basic computer science education in California Schools.
The post What I learned at Cyber Boot Camp (Instructor Edition) appeared first on We Live Security.
Arizona school simplifies and saves with Avast’s free business software
Avast for Business just made life easier and saved money for administrator Dale Kvittem-Barr at Peace Lutheran Church and School.
Avast for Business simplified a private school’s security management – for Free!
Schools house a large quantity of sensitive data and Kvittem-Barr knows that security software is a must. But, managing 50 devices is a challenge.
“When I started here, we had Norton and each computer had its own individual license. It was a nightmare. I switched all of the school’s computers to the free Avast consumer product. When I heard there was a free business solution and that it had a centralized management dashboard I knew we had to have it.”
With Avast for Business, Kvittem-Barr no longer has multiple licenses to manage and he can see his entire network anytime, anywhere.
“The cloud-based system makes sense because the entire network can be updated constantly from the dashboard so I don’t have to run around to every computer anymore.”
For his mixed platform networks, Kvittem-Barr says Avast for Business just works for him.
“We have Macs and PCs so to be able to protect them both with the same console is great!”
And the software keeps him continuously informed about threats to the school.
“The notifications have been really helpful because I can see which computers are being hit harder than others and make sure I focus on those.”
Budget is an issue for all schools and Kvittem-Barr said that his school’s savings with Avast for Business were substantial. As for plans to spend the savings he says,
“Yeah, we were actually able to purchase a lot more computers and a device charging cart.”
Find out how your school can save money with Avast for Business.
What I learned at Cyber Boot Camp this summer: 7 lessons
The annual Cyber Boot Camp in San Diego aims to develop the skills, mindset, and moral code required defend networks against criminal abuse. Here are just seven of the many lessons students learned at this year’s event.
The post What I learned at Cyber Boot Camp this summer: 7 lessons appeared first on We Live Security.
Cyber Boot Camp: a head start for tomorrow’s cyber workforce
Every June, a select group of students from high schools and middle schools in San Diego County, California, get five days of intense education in the art of defending computer systems.
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Phish Phood for Thought
In 2007, David Harley and Andrew Lee suggested at Virus Bulletin that poorly-designed phish quizzes did more harm than good. Has the picture changed much?
The post Phish Phood for Thought appeared first on We Live Security.
