Recent CCleaner Hack Could Have Spread Malware To Millions

September 20th, 2017

You’ve probably heard of the popular app, “CCleaner.” Owned by Avast, this handy utility boasts more than two billion downloads and currently has more than two million active users. As the name suggests, the program cleans the “crud” off your hard drive so that your computer will run faster and more efficiently, and it’s very good at its job.

Massive Pacemaker Recall Over Hacking Threat

September 19th, 2017

The FDA recently issued a recall order on nearly half a million pacemakers that have serious security flaws. They could allow hackers to take control of them, run their batteries dry or even modify a patient’s heartbeat, putting their lives at risk.

Newly Discovered Vulnerabilities In Bluetooth Could Affect Your Devices

September 18th, 2017

If you haven’t heard of the “BlueBorne” attack vector yet, you probably will in the months ahead It’s perhaps one of the most invasive, pervasive attack vectors in the history of the internet, and that’s really saying something.

A group of security researchers at Armis Labs discovered a total of eight zero-day vulnerabilities in Bluetooth protocol that would allow a hacker to quietly assume control of any Bluetooth device in range without the user’s input or knowledge.

HIPAA Compliance, Enforcement Top Priority For New Agency Head

September 16th, 2017

Roger Severino is a man on a mission. If you’re not familiar with the name, and your company has to comply with HIPAA regulations, then you’ll probably be hearing a lot about (and from) him in the months and years ahead.

Mr. Severino was recently appointed as the Director of the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office For Civil Rights, which makes him the agency’s chief enforcer where HIPAA violations are concerned.

Google Has Found A Way To Increase Internet Speed

September 15th, 2017

Google has taken up the task of making the internet faster, not by installing thousands of miles of fiber optic cable, but rather, with math. The big brains in Google’s engineering department have come up with a new algorithm that they’re rolling out on both YouTube and in the Google Cloud that will help optimize web traffic so that it doesn’t clog up available routes.

Hackers May Have Gained Instagram Users’ Info Through Mobile Bug

September 14th, 2017

A group of hackers recently bragged about having obtained the personal details of some six million Instagram users, including a number of A-list celebrities that include the likes of Adele, David Beckham and Emma Watson. Worse, the hackers created a new website dubbed “Doxagram,” which they charge people ten dollars a search to look up so they can gain access to the stolen information.

New Android App Allows Anyone To Create Ransomware

September 13th, 2017

There’s a new Android app to be aware of. This one allows anyone, even without any technical skills, to create ransomware, in a matter of minutes. It’s a menu-driven system that automates every aspect of the software’s creation.

Toolkits like these are not unheard of.

Extensions In Popular Web Browsers Found To Have Vulnerabilities

September 12th, 2017

Security researchers in Europe have discovered a pair of flaws that relate to modern web browsers’ extension system. Exploiting these flaws would allow a patient and determined hacker to determine with absolute accuracy of what extensions any given user is making use of.