The Internet of Things is on its way. But, is the world ready for it? Some experts aren't so sure about that. The Internet of Things may very well usher the world through the door to social inequality and violations of basic human rights, among other atrocities.
It has been two weeks since the National Communications Association warned the world about the GameOver Zeus and Cryptolocker ransomware, and if you haven't taken steps to avoid these threats, it's not too late - if you haven't been infected yet, do so as soon as possible. Otherwise, your network will be vulnerable, and so will your banking credentials.
Does your company have dedicated antivirus software to protect it against the annoying threats on the Internet? Sometimes, a computer virus can weasel its way past your software, but there's no greater frustration than when you realize that the reason you contracted a virus is because an employee disabled your software. Don't let this happen to you!
If your wireless router is an archaic piece of machinery from the turn of the century, you owe it to yourself to upgrade to something a little less dusty. Depending on your Internet connection, increasing your bandwidth is a tricky matter, and the easiest way to do so is by upgrading your wireless router. These next-gen routers are simple to use and don't require passwords; something that both increases network security and ease of use.
The Internet is a vast ocean filled with all sorts of different creatures. Many are harmless, like the bottlenose dolphin, but once in a while you will encounter an aggressive shark. But no matter how powerful or intelligent these creatures are, they still wind up flopping around on the deck of some fisherman's boat. Why? Because fishermen know what they're looking for and how to capture it. The same can be said about Internet phishers.
A new botnet threat could spell "game over" for unaware Windows users - the threat targets almost all versions of Windows and Windows Server (excluding Windows 8.1). Even though the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Department of Justice have disrupted it, users are still at risk. Thankfully, they still have time - two weeks, until the threat returns.
In light of all of the recent vulnerabilities found in Microsoft's Internet Explorer browser and Windows XP operating system, owners of XP are growing nervous about the upcoming "patch Tuesday," Microsoft's monthly patch release day. But, what if what Microsoft isn't patching in the newer operating systems is what needs to be patched the most in XP?
Don't trust anything you can't see - a valuable lesson for anyone. But, why shouldn't you trust your own phone? Egyptian programmer Sherif Hashim has discovered a vulnerability in the most recent version of iOS (7.1.1) that allows hackers to physically access your contacts without unlocking your phone.
In today's connected home, Internet security needs to extend beyond the PC. Any device that's connected to the Internet needs to be password protected, secured with a firewall, and utilize available security apps. These precautions should be taken even with seemingly harmless devices like baby monitors. A family from Ohio recently learned this lesson the hard way.
Fifteen years ago, a simple oversight in technology development caused worldwide panic. The crisis was Y2K, and the fear was that, on New Year's Eve, computers would reset to 1900 instead of 2000, causing all technology to fail. Thankfully, New Years Eve came and went without incident and people got worked up over nothing. You've heard story, but you may not have heard about all the work IT companies did to save the day!
Across the galaxy, Star Wars fans will be celebrating their beloved science fiction franchise on May 4th (May the fourth be with you). One of the most fascinating aspects about Star Wars is its space technology. As cool as lightsabers and blasters are, Star Wars tech can break down just like our modern space technology. Concerning technology repair, we think troubleshooting space tech in our day can be just as exciting as repairing space technology "a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away."
A lot of people use Google Chrome or Firefox as their browser of choice, and it's easy to see why. They are updated constantly and have great features. However, a lot of people still stick to what they know and love - Internet Explorer. There are a lot of people out there that still use this browser, and they should be warned that a new vulnerability exists in the system.
When you were a kid, did you ever ask your parents for a cool new toy only to have your request denied because you were in the habit of breaking everything? Your parents would point out your destructive habit and tell you, "This is why we can't have nice things." As an adult, the coolest toy is the Internet and hackers want to break it.
This world is dangerous; there are murderers, serial killers, and identity thieves. These dangerous criminals aside, many people ignore the digital world and find solace in thinking that they are untouchable in their online community. Little do they know, some of the most dangerous criminals in the world exist on the other end of a telephone line, sitting in front of a computer: Hackers. One of the easiest ways to shield yourself from these criminals is to keep your antivirus up to date.
You're likely familiar with the various ways that hackers can steal your identity, but you may not be familiar with how hackers anonymously buy and sell people's personal information to interested parties. This is done through online ID theft services and a December hearing before the U.S. Senate highlights how one service was selling personal records on more than 200 million Americans!
In the business world, it's common knowledge that Microsoft is ending support for its popular operating system Windows XP on April 8. However, with recent data showing that 29% of the world's computers are still running Windows XP, it appears that the rest of the world is slow to act upon Microsoft's expiration date.
Before the XXII Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia, there were concerns from several influential entities about the data security at the Olympics. These concerns were reported leading up to the games and on the eve of competition, the NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams ran a story by reporter Richard Engel that intimated that visitors to Sochi were immediately being hacked when they signed into the public WiFi accounts provided to athletes, media, and guests of the games.
Are you aware of the value of your company's data? If you lost it all today, what would it cost your business in terms of productivity, downtime, and liability? Security precautions need to be taken in order to keep your data safe, including data backups. However, after you have a backup system in place, don't neglect the need to secure those backup files!
As thousands of athletes descend upon Sochi, Russia for the Winter Olympics, they will not only be competing against each other for the gold, but they will also be competing against hackers for the security of their personal data. What can we learn about network security from the Winter Olympics?
Sometimes, when complex systems are put into place, the simplest and most fundamental tasks seem to be neglected. Updating your business' software should not be avoided. Software updates help secure your network and provide your company with an extra competitive edge. Don't risk your company's strengths by neglecting your software updates!