Independent – Page 232 – Computer Security Articles

Credit to Author: Jonny Evans| Date: Fri, 17 Nov 2017 08:36:00 -0800

Apple’s smartphones are highly secure, but if your private or enterprise data matters to you, it’s essential to ensure your iPhone (or iPad) is as secure as possible.

Why security matters

Just because almost all mobile malware targets Android doesn’t mean iPhone users can be complacent.

Quite the reverse:

We need to be even more alert in case attackers use complacency against us. What follows are a few simple tips to help you secure your iPhone (and iPad).

There’s no way to deny that iPhones are in the ascendant, particularly in enterprise IT. Beyond business, you’ll see them used by educators, doctors, police and politicians and in each one of those cases the information on those smartphones is confidential and must not be abused.

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ComputerWorld Independent

November 17, 2017 admin

Patch alert: Microsoft acknowledges printer bug; forced 1709 upgrades continue

Credit to Author: Woody Leonhard| Date: Fri, 17 Nov 2017 06:06:00 -0800

The patches have been out for only a few days, but as best I as can tell at this early juncture, November’s Patch Tuesday bugs aren’t as bad as they were in October. Thank Redmond.

If you use an Epson dot matrix printer, if you’re seeing an error that CDPUserSvc has stopped working, or if you were forcibly upgraded from Win10 Creators Update, version 1703, to Fall Creators Update, version 1709, I have some good news and some bad news.

Dot matrix dissed

Microsoft has acknowledged a bug in its Patch Tuesday updates that causes “some Epson SIDM and Dot Matrix printers” to fail. The bug appears in this month’s patches for every version of Windows:

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ComputerWorld Independent

November 15, 2017 admin

Microsoft forces Win10 1703 customers onto 1709, and other Patch Tuesday shenanigans

Credit to Author: Woody Leonhard| Date: Wed, 15 Nov 2017 10:52:00 -0800

Another massive outpouring of Microsoft patches yesterday — more than 1,100 separate patches — brought a few surprises and shouts of indignation from a forced but unannounced upgrade. Some bugs are already evident, and there’s a storm brewing over one Office patch. But by and large, if you don’t use Internet Explorer or Edge, it’s a non-event.

Every version of Windows got patched yesterday (Win10 1709, Win10 1703, Win10 1607, Win10 1511 Enterprise, Win10 1507 LTSC, Win 8.1, Win RT 8.1, Win 7, plus Server 2016, 2012 R2, 2012, 2008 R2, 2008). Almost every version of Office (2016, 2013, 2010, 2007, plus 2013 and 2010 Click-to-Run). Plenty of miscellaneous, too: IE 11, 10, 9 and Edge, Flash for all, SharePoint Server, the ChakraCore package, and various .Nets including ASP.NET. The good news? Unless you use IE or Edge, there’s nothing pressing — you can sit back and watch the bugs crawling out of the woodwork.

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ComputerWorld Independent

November 15, 2017 admin

11% off August Smart Lock Pro With Connect Bundle – Deal Alert

Credit to Author: DealPost Team| Date: Wed, 15 Nov 2017 06:46:00 -0800

With August Smart Lock Pro, you can lock and unlock your door, control keyless access, and keep track of who comes and goes, all from your phone. The 24/7 activity log means you’re always in the know. With your phone in your pocket, simply open the door and you’re in your home. Heading out? August Smart Lock Pro will also automatically lock the door behind you after you leave. The smart lock currently averages 4 out of 5 stars on Amazon, where the list price on the Lock and Connect Bundle has been reduced 11% to $249.99. See this deal on Amazon.

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Independent Krebs

November 15, 2017 admin

R.I.P. root9B? We Hardly Knew Ya!

Credit to Author: BrianKrebs| Date: Wed, 15 Nov 2017 14:25:58 +0000

root9B, a company that many in the security industry considered little more than a big-name startup aimed at cashing in on the stock market’s insatiable appetite for cybersecurity firms, surprised no one this week when it announced it was ceasing operations at the end of the year. Founded in 2011, Colorado Springs, Colo. based root9B Technologies touted itself as an IT security training firm staffed by an impressive list of ex-military leaders with many years of cybersecurity experience at the Department of Defense and National Security Agency (NSA). As it began to attract more attention from investors, root9B’s focus shifted to helping organizations hunt for cyber intruders within their networks.

Independent Krebs

November 15, 2017 admin

R.I.P. root9B, We Hardly Knew Ya!

Credit to Author: BrianKrebs| Date: Wed, 15 Nov 2017 14:25:58 +0000

ComputerWorld Independent

November 15, 2017 admin

Lock it down: The macOS security guide

Credit to Author: Jonny Evans| Date: Wed, 15 Nov 2017 06:11:00 -0800

Apple’s systems are highly secure, but if your private or enterprise data matters to you it’s essential to ensure your Mac is as highly secured as possible. This quick guide should help you do just that.

Keep it zippy

Malware is everywhere and Macs are not immune. You can ignore the potential threat if you choose, but if you are an enterprise user holding confidential data, an educator in possession of private data, or even a Bitcoin collector who maybe clicked a few too many links on one of those dodgy faucet websites, you should know to get your Mac secured.

Common sense first

Before we get into some of the security technology inside your Mac (including a wide range of security improvements in High Sierra) it is also important to point out that the biggest threat your computer faces is the person using it. Cyberattackers are highly sophisticated and can piece together lots of information about you, or companies associated with you by simply getting a little more data a little at a time. Make it hard for those people by following simple tips, including:

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Independent Krebs

November 14, 2017 admin

Adobe, Microsoft Patch Critical Cracks

Credit to Author: BrianKrebs| Date: Tue, 14 Nov 2017 23:12:32 +0000

It’s Nov. 14 — the second Tuesday of the month (a.k.a. “Patch Tuesday) — and Adobe and Microsoft have issued gobs of security updates for their software. Microsoft’s 11 patch bundles fix more than four-dozen security holes in various Windows versions and Office products — including at least four serious flaws that were publicly disclosed prior to today. Meanwhile, Adobe’s got security updates available for a slew of titles, including Flash Player, Photoshop, Reader and Shockwave.