Security Updates

May 28, 2023 - Both of my books have just been updated for 2023! 

January 15, 2022 - Be aware of recently reported QR code scams! Fraudsters are invading our neighborhoods, pasting scam QR code stickers on top of legitimate QR codes.  

September 2, 2021 Cyberbullying - If your child is a victim of cyberbullying, preserve any evidence and report it to your local police. Valuable resources on this specific topic (and general parental guidance) may be found at https://saferkidsonline.eset.com/en-us , https://www.wizcase.com/blog/a-comprehensive-cyberbullying-guide-for-parents/ , and https://www.keeperschildsafety.net/. 

July 27, 2021 Apple emergency zero-day fix for iPhones and Macs – get it now!

 July 23, 2021 Yours truly was just notified of being "pwned" by a data breach of Audi in 2019; we are one of over 3.3 million victims.   Apparently, a vendor left data unsecured and exposed on the internet. Time to change passwords..........grrrrrrrrrrr.

July 21, 2021 Apple will add Privacy Report and "VPN" - In Fall 2021, Apple said plans to add an "app privacy report" that will inform users of what data apps are collecting about them. Google announced a similar feature for Android device earlier in 2021. Apple also announced a new service, equivalent to a VPN service for subscribers to its iCloud services.

May 30, 2021 Freezing Your Credit Still Important: Equifax, Experian, and Transunion Changed the Process!

- Equifax – go to www.equifax.com, scroll down to “Place or Manage a Freeze” and follow the instructions.

- Experian – go to www.experian.com , scroll down and click on "Security Freeze" and follow the instructions.

- TransUnion – go to www.transunion.com , click on Resources, click on "Credit Freeze" and follow instructions.

March 11, 2021 Chinese Cyberspies Used 4 Exchange Server Flaws to Plunder Emails: Microsoft Corp. today released software updates to plug four security holes that attackers have been using to plunder email communications at companies that use its Exchange Server products. The company says all four flaws are being actively exploited as part of a complex attack chain deployed by a previously unidentified Chinese cyber espionage group. KrebsOnSecurity, March 2, 2021

February 24, 2021 Firefox includes a “Total Cookie Protection” option that restricts cookie usage to the originating website.

February 23, 2021 Though Windows systems are targeted more frequently, Macs are also vulnerable. Researchers at Red Canary found a new strain of malware, called Silver Sparrow, on more than 30,000 Macs worldwide.

January 27, 2021 Download this emergency iOS patch now for your Apple device!

November 27, 2020 A hacker is selling access to the email accounts of hundreds of C-level executives: Access is sold for $100 to $1500 per account, depending on the company size and exec role. ZDNet,

November 27, 2020 - Robotic vacuum cleaners could be hacked to spy on you!

April 10, 2020 - "Popular data-breach tracker Have I Been Pwned is closing in on 10 billion compromised accounts. .... the Earth has around 7.7 billion people on it. It would be as if every single person on the planet had a compromised Facebook account—and then some." Lifehacker.com

April 04, 2020 - "By crunching data from Google, Which? calculated that two in every five (40%) of Android devices are currently no longer receiving “vital security updates” from Google, putting them in a high risk category in terms of their susceptibility to malware and other security flaws." Every Android owner should follow up to ensure that their device is being updated or replace it.

April 04, 2020 - Cloudflare has launched a new version of its free DNS (Domain Name System) service called Cloudflare 1.1.1.1 for Families that blocks adult content and malware.

March 31, 2020 - Marriott International confirms data breach of up to 5.2 million guests. If you were a recent guest, it's time to change passwords for important websites.

August 12, 2019 - Capital One data breach: the latest bank hack exposed the records of almost 106 million people.If you have/had a Capitol One credit card, it's time to change your passwords.

April 5, 2019 - Why You Should Never Store Your Passwords in Your Browser - www.TechRepublic.com

July 2019 - An erratic contractor employee hacked into Capitol One's database, exposing records of 100 million customers in July 2019.  If you are a Capitol One customer ("What's in your wallet?"), immediately change your password to their website.  If you have not already done so, FREEZE your credit at the four credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, Transunion and Innovis) to prevent anyone from accessing your credit.  

May 2019 - In my Cyber Security for Seniors class on May 13, I was asked about selecting a good VPN service. I recommended the Norton 360  suite, as if offers a VPN service.  This said, here is an article discussing VPN choices: VPN Article. 

March 3, 2019 - Phishing alert: One in 61 emails in your inbox now contains a malicious link. ZDnet, 

March 17. 2019 - Why Phone Numbers Stink As Identity Proof: Phone numbers stink for security and authentication. They stink because most of us have so much invested in these digits that they’ve become de facto identities. At the same time, when you lose control over a phone number — maybe it’s hijacked by fraudsters, you got separated or divorced, or you were way late on your phone bill payments — whoever inherits that number can then be you in a lot of places online. KrebsOnSecurity, March 17, 2019

February 27, 2019 - Major Vulnerability in Amazon’s Ring Video Doorbell Found: Unencrypted transmission of audio and/or video footage to the Ring application allows for undetectable arbitrary surveillance and injection of counterfeit traffic, compromising home security and putting family members at risk. PRNewswire, February 27, 2019