Independent

IndependentKrebs

U.K. Man Avoids Jail Time in vDOS Case

Credit to Author: BrianKrebs| Date: Thu, 21 Dec 2017 13:56:01 +0000

A U.K. man who pleaded guilty to launching more than 2,000 cyberattacks against some of the world’s largest companies has avoided jail time for his role in the attacks. The judge in the case reportedly was moved by pleas for leniency that cited the man’s youth at the time of the attacks and a diagnosis of autism.

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ComputerWorldIndependent

Microsoft confirms stalled downloads, bogus errors in Win10 FCU update KB 4054517

Credit to Author: Woody Leonhard| Date: Thu, 21 Dec 2017 06:21:00 -0800

Microsoft has just fessed up to a couple of the known bugs in this month’s Win10 version 1709 cumulative update, KB 4054517 – in particular, the stall at 99% download, and the completely bogus warning that the patch had failed to install with error 0x80070643. Sadly, several other problems with KB 4054517 have not been acknowledged. Yet.

In addition, we have new mea culpas for the November Patch Tuesday security update for Excel 2016, KB 4011220, which throws a “Cannot run the macro” warning, and for this month’s Patch Tuesday security fix for Microsoft Exchange, KB 4045655.

As usual, I’m seeing reports thatMicrosoft tech support staff don’t know about the problems, haven’t read the KB articles, and are recommending that people re-install Windows.

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ComputerWorldIndependent

Microsoft Patch Alert: Few problems in December, unless you’re running Win10 version 1709

Credit to Author: Woody Leonhard| Date: Wed, 20 Dec 2017 11:01:00 -0800

It’s hard to remember the last time we had a Patch Tuesday as inoffensive as this month’s. February 2017 comes to mind — but then again, we didn’t have a Patch Tuesday in February, as Microsoft called it off.

Part of the reason for the relatively easy going this month, I’m convinced, is the lack of attention showered on Windows 7 and earlier versions of Windows 10 (including the Fall Creators Update, version 1703, which has become more-or-less fully baked and remains my version of choice). Aside from a few lackluster security patches, the December update for Win10 1607 fixed the “CDPUserSvc_XXXX has stopped working” bug introduced in a security patch two months ago, and the rest is largely routine.

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ComputerWorldIndependent

How to securely erase your Android device in 4 steps

Credit to Author: JR Raphael| Date: Wed, 20 Dec 2017 03:07:00 -0800

It’s an inevitable moment in the smartphone-owning cycle, the point at which a newer, shinier model comes along and your trusty old device is no longer needed.

Maybe your company bought you a new Android phone. Maybe your old one was getting too slow. Or maybe you just love electronics and couldn’t resist the lure of whatever sexy new Android device your favorite manufacturer started selling.

Whatever the case, it’s common nowadays to find yourself with an extra phone. And while there are plenty of practical uses for an old Android device, there’s also a time when the best choice is to sell, donate, or otherwise pass it along.                                                                            

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ComputerWorldIndependent

How to securely erase an iPhone in just 3 steps

Credit to Author: Michael deAgonia| Date: Wed, 20 Dec 2017 03:00:00 -0800

There are two main scenarios in which erasing an iPhone is called for: Either you’re getting a new phone, or the one you have is having problems.

The most common reason involves iPhone owners who trade up to newer models, usually in the fall after Apple unveils its latest line-up. Let’s say you buy the new iPhone X and then plan to trade in or sell your older iPhone 7; you’ll need to make sure your data is no longer present once the old phone leaves your possession.

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ComputerWorldIndependent

Office as a malware delivery platform: DDE, Scriptlets, Macro obfuscation

Credit to Author: Woody Leonhard| Date: Tue, 19 Dec 2017 13:34:00 -0800

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IndependentSecuriteam

SSD Advisory – Ichano AtHome IP Cameras Multiple Vulnerabilities

Credit to Author: SSD / Maor Schwartz| Date: Tue, 19 Dec 2017 07:31:42 +0000

Vulnerabilities Summary The following advisory describes three (3) vulnerabilities found in Ichano IP Cameras. AtHome Camera is “a remote video surveillance app which turns your personal computer, smart TV/set-top box, smart phone, and tablet into a professional video monitoring system in a minute.” The vulnerabilities found are: Hard-coded username and password – telnet Hard-coded username … Continue reading SSD Advisory – Ichano AtHome IP Cameras Multiple Vulnerabilities

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IndependentKrebs

Buyers Beware of Tampered Gift Cards

Credit to Author: BrianKrebs| Date: Tue, 19 Dec 2017 16:28:57 +0000

Prepaid gift cards make popular presents and no-brainer stocking stuffers, but before you purchase one be on the lookout for signs that someone may have tampered with it. A perennial scam that picks up around the holidays involves thieves who pull back and then replace the decals that obscure the card’s redemption code, allowing them to redeem or transfer the card’s balance online after the card is purchased by an unwitting customer.

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