Independent – Page 393 – Computer Security Articles

Credit to Author: Michael Kan| Date: Thu, 27 Apr 2017 11:26:00 -0700

Hackers spreading ransomware are getting greedier. In 2016, the average ransom demand to free computers hit with the infection rose to $1,077, up from $294 the year before, according to security firm Symantec.

“Attackers clearly think that there’s more to be squeezed from victims,” Symantec said in a Wednesday report.

In addition, the security company has been detecting more ransomware infection attempts. In 2016, the figure jumped 36 percent compared with the prior year.

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ComputerWorld Independent

April 27, 2017 admin

BlackBerry KeyOne smartphone to launch in U.S. and Canada in late May

Credit to Author: Martyn Williams| Date: Thu, 27 Apr 2017 03:37:00 -0700

The BlackBerry KeyOne, an Android-based smartphone with a hardware keyboard, will be available in the U.S. and Canada from May 31, the phone’s maker said Thursday.

TCL Communications, the Chinese company that acquired rights to produce BlackBerry-brand handsets, originally had said the phone would go on sale in April, so the delay may disappoint potential users. This could be a bad time to test the patience of potential buyers, as Samsung and LG are both heavily promoting their new flagship handsets, the S8 and G6.

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ComputerWorld Independent

April 26, 2017 admin

Fitbit: One explodes, data from another used to charge husband with wife's murder

Credit to Author: Darlene Storm| Date: Wed, 26 Apr 2017 08:54:00 -0700

Oh good, another case of exploding devices. This time the culprit was a Fitbit Flex 2, which allegedly caused second-degree burns on a Wisconsin woman’s arm. She was sitting and reading a book when her Fitbit “exploded” on her wrist. “It was either defective or really mad I was sitting still so long,” she told ABC News. “Either way, it burned the heck out of my arm.”

Dina Mitchell claimed the Fitbit is “totally melted” and her doctor “had to pick pieces of plastic out of her wound.”

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ComputerWorld Independent

April 26, 2017 admin

Old Windows Server machines can still fend off hacks. Here's how

Credit to Author: Michael Kan| Date: Wed, 26 Apr 2017 04:01:00 -0700

If you’re running a Windows Server 2003 machine, you have a problem. Your already-vulnerable computer is now at severe risk of being hacked.

That’s due to the internet release earlier this month of a batch of updates that paint a bull’s-eye on computers running Windows Server 2003, according to security researchers.

“I can teach my mom how to use some of these exploits,” said Jake Williams, founder of Rendition Infosec, a security provider. “They are not very complicated at all.”

Experts are urging affected businesses to upgrade to the latest Windows OSes, which offer security patches that can address the threat.

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Independent Securiteam

April 25, 2017 admin

SSD Advisory – SquirrelMail Remote Code Execution

Credit to Author: Maor Schwartz| Date: Tue, 25 Apr 2017 05:24:06 +0000

Vulnerability Summary The following advisory describes Remote Code Execution found in SquirrelMail version 1.4.22. SquirrelMail is a standards-based webmail package written in PHP. It includes built-in pure PHP support for the IMAP and SMTP protocols, and all pages render in pure HTML 4.0 (with no JavaScript required) for maximum compatibility across browsers. It has very … Continue reading SSD Advisory – SquirrelMail Remote Code Execution

Independent Securiteam

April 25, 2017 admin

SSD Advisory – Emby Media Server Multiple Vulnerabilities

Credit to Author: Maor Schwartz| Date: Tue, 25 Apr 2017 05:03:48 +0000

Vulnerabilities Summary The following advisory describes three (3) vulnerabilities found in Emby Media Server. Affected versions are: 3.1.5, 3.1.2, 3.1.1, 3.1.0 and 3.0.0. Emby Media Server (formerly Media Browser) is a media server designed to organize, play, and stream audio and video to a variety of devices. Emby is open-source, and uses a client server model. … Continue reading SSD Advisory – Emby Media Server Multiple Vulnerabilities

ComputerWorld Independent

April 25, 2017 admin

How your company needs to train workers in cybersecurity

Credit to Author: Matt Hamblen| Date: Tue, 25 Apr 2017 09:21:00 -0700

With workplace cyberattacks on the rise, industry experts are pressing businesses to train their workers to be more vigilant than ever to protect passwords and sensitive data and to recognize threats.

“It is imperative for organizations of all sizes to instill among employees the critical role they play in keeping their workplace safe and secure,” said Michael Kaiser, executive director of the National Cyber Security Alliance, a group that promotes education on the safe and secure use of the internet. The group’s members include such major technology companies as Cisco, Facebook, Google, Intel and Microsoft.

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