A researcher has recently made available a database of 100 million Facebook users who have left their privacy settings on their profile at the default level as set by Facebook. His reasoning is to bring attention to the confusing privacy settings for end users. He has put the database out on the Bitorrent network.
I have heard it said over and over again, buy a MAC and you won't have security issues. Well, time catches up and we are seeing hackers taking advantage of vulnerabilities in Apple software. Recently we were made aware that versions 4 and 5 of Apple's Safari browser have a critical vulnerability. It has to do with a form fill feature that can reveal personal information about the user. Last week Jeremiah Grossman wrote about this on his blog. There is a way to prevent your identity from being revealed. You can Go to Preferences > AutoFill > AutoFill web forms and uncheck “Using info from my Address Book card”.
Jeremiah Grossman addresses this in detail on his blog and offers a video on how to correct this issue.
Apple has not addressed this vulnerability to date. Welcome to the real world Apple users.
If you use iTunes on a Windows based PC, Apple has released a new version to fix a critical security flaw in their popular software. My suggestion is that based on the recent breach in security where an application developer was possibly stealing user ID and password credentials, you go to their website and download it today. Version 9.2.1 is the most current version. you can visit their download page here:
Just got done reading this article this morning and it got my attention. PC vulnerabilities are increasing exponentially compared to last year. It is only July and we have gotten to 90% of where we were at this time last year. Which means there will most likely be twice as many as last year.
Many of these vulnerabilities are coming from third party software vendors. The best way to remediate these vulnerabilities for end users is to head over to Secunia and let them scan your PC. It will look at all available software on your system and provide you with links to make sure you have the latest versions, which can go along way in preventing your PC from being hacked. You can also read their report for yourself. Take the time to patch your system!! If you are not comfortable doing this, by all means, we can help ...
read moreSeems that Apple has some vulnerabilities that it has quietly gone ahead and taken care of. Mac OS X 10.6.4 includes limited protection against a trojan labeled OSXPinhead -B. this one has capabilities to allow a hacker to gain remote control for the purpose of identity theft.
I guess the days of MAC users professing how they never have to worry about viruses and trojans are officially over.
Apple secretly updates Mac malware protection, Sophos reveals
From Adobe:
A critical vulnerability exists in Adobe Flash Player 10.0.45.2 and earlier versions for Windows, Macintosh, Linux and Solaris operating systems, and the authplay.dll component that ships with Adobe Reader and Acrobat 9.x for Windows, Macintosh and UNIX operating systems. This vulnerability (CVE-2010-1297) could cause a crash and potentially allow an attacker to take control of the affected system. There are reports that this vulnerability is being actively exploited in the wild against both Adobe Flash Player, and Adobe Reader and Acrobat. This advisory will be updated once a schedule has been determined for releasing a fix.
Adobe Flash Player 10.0.45.2, 9.0.262, and earlier 10.0.x and 9.0.x
versions for Windows, Macintosh, Linux and Solaris
Adobe Reader and Acrobat 9.3.2 and earlier 9.x versions for
Windows, Macintosh and UNIX
Note ...
read moreThis past weekend saw a wide area infection from a spam posting that encouraged users to view a video. I've warned users in the past to be VERY wary of any video's that look suspicious such as these. One of the best applications you can install to help prevent these posts from hitting your wall is defensio.com. It will block these posts as well as malicious content included in facebook e-mails. I highly recommend every facebook user take the precaution of installing this application. Details on the adware infection can be found:
Mark this date...... Monday May 3rd at 7:00 pm EST.
Datasavers has been working on making a FREE webinar available to anyone who wishes to learn more about how to effectively secure their computer from the everyday vulnerabilities that are lurking on the internet. We'll cover basic things that anyone can do to accomplich better security whether on their home computer or at their business. Sign up today by visiting the link on the right of our homepage.... Datasaversinc.com and inputting your e-mail address to register. Participation is limited so sign up today! Also, if you can't make it, we'll make the webinar available so you can go out and watch it at a later date. Thanks and we look forward to meeting you!
Network World has a new report on a report that hackers are breaking into a number of GMail accounts. If you didn't recieve the word yesterday, please make sure that you take the precaution and change your GMail password.
In light of recent information that is slowly being divulged regarding China's recent attack on google, I am advising people who own Gmail accounts to immediately change their password(s). there is a possibility that the information that was stolen who allow the perpetrators to have cracked Google's password code somehow. I'm not sure of exactly what goes on, but there is enough evidence to suggest that it would be wise for users to change their account passwords. Some of the comments in the article that was posted at the New York Times yesterday is enough evidence for me. Read it yourself:
