Federal Trade Commission: Identity theft complaints rose by over 33%

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Federal Trade Commission: Identity theft complaints rose by over 33% -

The complaints of identity theft increased by a third in 2012 and again it was the number one problem in the United States. This rate of increase is almost three times the growth rate from 2010-2011 (12%).

Top 10 consumer complaints to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) report for 2012 , released today.

The FTC Consumer Sentinel Network Data Book - an online database of consumer complaints to law enforcement - recorded more than two million consumer complaints in 2012, an increase of 8.8 percent. The increase was largely driven by the jump in identity theft complaints, up 54 percent to 369,132 anually. The 2012 Digest divides claims into three basic categories - fraud (52%), identity theft (18%) and other -. And examined changes over time

Tax evasion and the salary was the main purpose of the stolen personal data. Of all identity theft complaints, 43.4% fell into that category - an increase of almost two percentage points compared to 2010. tax evasion is mainly driven by criminal networks that steal PII (personally identifiable information) such as social security numbers and use them to electronically file for refunds for income tax.

The strong growth of tax fraud and pay well over other uses for the IIP flight. Complaints about credit card fraud amounted to 13.4% with a telephone and 9.7% utility fraud.

The connection between PII stolen and tax and wage fraud is even higher for members of the armed forces. More than a third of all complaints by the military, 37% were for identity theft. Of these, 49% said that the data was misused for tax and wage fraud.

Geography is important in regard to identity theft. Florida was the clear leader for identity theft, with 85% more complaints per capita than any other state. It was followed by Georgia, California, Michigan and New York.

The age of identity theft victims is changing, with an increase in older victims. The percentage of complaints from a 50+ crowd rose six percentage points to 36%. Moreover, the 29 and under group dipped four percentage points to 27%. That said, the FTC reported in previous years that children and students are the main target groups for identity thieves because they have credit or limited employment histories and thus have a clean slate for criminal activities .

Consumers can reduce their vulnerability to identity theft by installing and using Hotspot Shield VPN, especially while using public WiFi networks. HotspotShield also detects and blocks phishing sites that can be used to steal important information, and other types of malicious software that can be downloaded to your computer or mobile device and be used to capture sensitive data. Furthermore, Hotspot Shield protect consumers when they use public WiFi by encrypting all data transmissions. This protects your valuable information against hackers and weasel that can easily intercept your transmission if it is not fixed.

Learn more about the dangers of malware by visiting, http://www.hotspotshield.com/malware-protection

For more information on the report consumer fraud, visit : http://www.ftc.gov/sentinel/reports/sentinel-annual-reports/sentinel-cy2012.pdf

Lyle Frink on Google+

Fight against Cyber ​​Intelligence Sharing Act and Protection (CISPA)

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Fight against Cyber ​​Intelligence Sharing Act and Protection (CISPA) -

All my life I heard about Big Brother. For those unfamiliar with the term, coined by George Orwell in his 1949 masterpiece, Nineteen Eighty-Four , Big Brother is the embodiment of a society fully supervised by his government . But it is not fiction; in fact, our daily activities are monitored, today, right now, either by technology self-imposed or the omnipresent Big Brother

Traditionally, document our existence went like this .: you are born, and you have a medical file and a birth. These documents follow you throughout your life, filed and considered by many. You must submit these documents to be admitted to a school, to be hired, or issue insurance. You get a Social Security number shortly after birth, which serves as your identity document. These nine numbers you connect to all, criminal record and financial insurance that is who you are and what you've done. Beyond that, it's just paperwork.

And now comes CISPA, a bill in the US that would allow the sharing of information on the Internet traffic between the US government and certain technology and manufacturing companies. The stated purpose of the bill, which was revived after being beaten last year in part because of widespread public protest- is to help the US government investigation of cyber threats and ensure safety networks against cyber attacks.

The Electronic Frontier Foundation opposes CISPA and called the bill "an ill-defined exception" cyber security "to the law on the existing privacy. CISPA offers broad immunities to companies that choose to share data with government agencies (including the private communications of users) in the name of cybersecurity. It also creates avenues for businesses to share data with federal agencies, including the military intelligence agencies like the National Security Agency (NSA). "

I'm for more security. But I not sure that the project CISPA bill was well thought out. the implications for this bill and the potential for abuse is frightening. what CISPA passes or not, consumer privacy is eroding on a daily basis. Whenever we connect to the Internet, your IP address is revealed. an IP address is like a social security number online that can be tracked or traced back to you. Masking the IP address using a virtual private network (VPN ) is the first step towards locking your online identity and personal information. the second is to call, write, or tweet your person Congress urging them to vote "no" to the bill.

Robert Siciliano on Google+

Measures to be taken when connecting to WiFi at the Coffee Shop

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Measures to be taken when connecting to WiFi at the Coffee Shop -

Consumers are unaware of the dangers of the connection in a wireless environment. If they really knew how vulnerable they are, all the coffee shops would do is sell coffee. Nobody stay and connect to the Internet.

Everyone, and I mean all -always wonder if they need to connect to public Wi-Fi. The short answer is yes, but you need to install VPN software to encrypt your connection. More on that in a bit.

There is much to know and some things you can do to protect yourself. Here are some terms you should know:

encryption router : The router you jump on coffee will most likely no encryption at all. Encryption is the process of encoding messages or information in a manner that eavesdroppers or hackers can not read them, but that authorized parties can. Routers are built with software options to enable encryption, but typically does not turn on coffee because that would mean anyone coming would need a password. And even in this scenario, it does not necessarily mean your data will be safe

Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP): WEP is 15 years old and provides a minimum security ;. WiFi Protected Access (WPA) encryption is better than its predecessor, WEP. WPA is a certification program that was created in response to several serious weaknesses researchers WEP. WPA and WPA2 (later) are more difficult to crack, but not impossible

Protect yourself when using WiFi: ..

  • Use the latest version and secure your browser
  • Consider that data sharing with sites with HTTP S in the address bar; the S means that the site itself is encrypted.
  • Disable file sharing. If you share files at home, put on public file sharing.
  • Turn on your firewall. It should be enabled by default, but depending on the age of your computers or by accident, it could be turned off.
  • Using a VPN. A virtual private network (VPN) is a network set up with encryption to protect your data against unauthorized access. Hotspot Shield VPN is a good use. It is safe, free to (supported by ads) and available for PC, Mac, iPhone and Android.

Robert Siciliano on Google+

SOURCENEXT launches retail sales of Hotspot Shield to Japan

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SOURCENEXT launches retail sales of Hotspot Shield to Japan -

Principal Development Manager AnchorFree Gary Guseinov Affairs and Head of Corporate Development Craig Vachon traveled to Tokyo this week celebrate an agreement with SOURCENEXT Corp (a # 1 software company publicly traded in Japan) to start retail sales of

Hotspot Shield Japan. Hotspot Shield is distributed through many outlets across Japan, sold more than 11 million customers SOURCENEXT and sold in online stores SOURCENEXT alongside Dropbox, BitDefender, Animoto, Evernote and other major software brands. Also on hand was the personality of Japanese television "Becky" dressed in traditional kimono.

Travelling with a VPN

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Travelling with a VPN -

Summer is the busiest season of the year travel. Whether a business trip, family vacation or a hiking trip solo, the least of our problems would be housed in secure line. As travelers, we connect to Wi-Fi networks for several reasons such as getting directions, photo sharing, blogging, emailing, searching and more. But even during our travels, we must remember that doing these activities in the framework unsecure Wi-Fi hotspots can be an unpleasant trip if you are not careful risk.

With public free Wi-Fi hotspots on the rise, many people do not realize how much it's incredibly easy to turn an Internet connection on unencrypted Wi-Fi hotspots. On top of that, most people use their mobile devices instead of laptops while traveling which means they are probably not using security software on their mobile device. A + unsecure device unencrypted Wi-Fi = high chance of identity theft and online fraud. On the other hand, there is always a solution to every problem. Using a VPN (Virtual Private Network)

For example, AnchorFree CEO David Gorodyansky travels frequently for business and leisure. During his travels he uses Hotspot Shield VPN on her laptop and mobile phone to stay protected when connecting to public Wi-Fi networks. Since we're on the subject of travel, be sure to check his recent blog on Forbes as he warns travelers how mobile and Wi-Fi can be your best friend or your worst enemy.

VPNs are an essential tool to bring with you when traveling. While using a VPN during travel can protect your online activity from prying eyes, a VPN can be used for other purposes as well.

If you've ever traveled outside the country, you probably know that many websites and Internet services are "government-censored" to some extent. The government of some countries want control on what their citizens can access, publish or view on the Internet. Even popular websites such as Facebook, Twitter and Gmail can be blocked in some countries

as a traveler, it can be inconvenient and very frustrating. especially if you try to access your email account, or share your travel photos on social media. But using a VPN like Hotspot Shield allows you to bypass Internet censorship and access blocked content everywhere. try it the next time you go on your next vacation.

use a VPN when traveling? If so, where did you? We want to hear your experience.

Social Media Privacy Policy loopholes you need to know on

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Social Media Privacy Policy loopholes you need to know on -

Social media has become one of the most powerful resources in the world for people to connect with each other. We tend to jump in, register and add friends and connections at the speed of our data connections - but how many of us actually pay attention to the safety and security of the information we share

the last time you were asked to allow a site or Facebook page to "access your personal information," do you allow? The only way to share some information is to enable these intrusions into your personal space. So, what is safe? And what you need to know about each of the major sites privacy policies to ensure that your information is protected at all times?

Even if you have read the privacy policy of each site or developed a basic understanding of its key elements, did you know that there are gaps in these integrated policies that put your information at risk? Knowing them is the key to digital security.

Which social networking sites are sharing your personal information with third parties?

Of all the major social media networks, there are only two who came out and said they not share information personal about their users with either advertisers or potential sale / merger partners, as CATSMI project of the University of Victoria. These two are Google and Foursquare. Here.

Now, what about those other major social networks? What types of information are Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest and share - and with whom they share this

The privacy policy Pinterest allows the company to share personal information about its users with companies and safety consultants third. Some of the business types of information collected include names, email addresses, phone numbers, and more, but it is difficult to know what information is considered "personal identification" and that are not.

Facebook says it will share personal information about its users with partners, advertisers and developers. What does this mean to you? Basically, anyone who wants to advertise, develop an application, or in partnership with Facebook will have access to all information of Facebook users.

Twitter says it reserves the right to sell all for the information of users or transfer all data in a bankruptcy, a sale, merger or acquisition of the company . LinkedIn also no apparent problems disclose personal information of their users to another company as part of a sale, merger or acquisition.

Of course, we need not look further than Tumblr to see how vulnerable user of information is that the company recently sold its entire Yahoo! user information

the pirates and the threat they pose

If you pay attention to news regarding social media, you know that there were a number of "repeated hacker attacks" against larger sites social networking in the world in recent years. Although these giants of social media argue that no personally identifiable information about its users has been compromised, it is also unclear whether they had found no first data panties

Consider this: . Not one of those companies that reported being hacked would answer a question posed to them by the University of Victoria as to whether they notify users if their information had indeed been accessed. What does it mean? It is only speculation, but it seems likely that this means that users would never know if a hacker has actually steal personal information.

What about those privacy settings?

If you are familiar with the setting and the characteristics of these social media sites most advanced privacy, you may think your information is protected. But unfortunately, that's not what these privacy settings are for. Networking privacy features allow you to keep your information from being accessed by other users. They provide no control or additional restrictions on third parties and that social media companies themselves can do with your personal information.

How to protect your personal information

When it comes down to it, there is a limit to what you can do to protect your personal information when using social media sites. Advertisers on these sites have become so sophisticated that they are able to target your interests more precisely - based not only on what you post and "Like", but also on the websites you visit when you are not even connected to the network society.

The first step to protect yourself is to avoid the use of personally identifiable information whenever possible. You can use your full name to view your profile name, but if you do not, do not share your first and last name when signing a site. Instead, use your first and last name

Next, set up a secondary email account -. Distinct from that you share with family and friends. Use this as a spam e-mail account and have this set as your primary email address in your profile. This way, when the social media company actually does not share your personal information, you will not have to worry about your primary email being flooded with spam or become susceptible to hacker attacks.

Third, use a virtual private network (VPN). Your Internet service provider (ISP) is the company through which you access the Internet. Your information - including IP address of your computer (his single signature, in effect) - is available whenever you visit a website. Companies can use this information to track where you live, what websites you visit, and other personal information on your identity.

Using a VPN to connect to the Internet, you effectively hide any personal information to companies, hackers, and others seeking to gain access. A VPN usually has a host of private IP addresses and when you go through the VPN, you will be awarded one of them for the time that you are connected. This prevents your real IP address - and all information connected to it. - To be revealed to prying eyes

Of course, you can always remain protected by avoiding these social media sites. But if you want to stay connected to friends and family or the desire to network with other people and businesses that share your interests, and social media is an essential element to be considered. And since these companies will not protect your personal information for you, it is for you to take the necessary measures to maintain security and in your complete control. You deserve the right to determine who will have access to your information!

Unlocking News Sites in Singapore

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Unlocking News Sites in Singapore -

Do you frequently catch with current news events? Is there a particular news Web site you visit to read all the latest stories? Well if you are in Singapore or any other country that blocks certain content online for that matter-you can not access your favorite site.

Singapore Policy

In May, Singapore introduced its new Internet Policy which aims to limit the amount of new releases that report on local affairs. These news sites are needed for specific individual licenses to continue operating on the web through Media Development Authority of the Government (MDA).

The MDA also requires a deposit of 50,000 Singapore dollars-about 39,000-Americans of all annual dollar websites and insists that any content "forbidden" will be removed within 24 hours.

reaction of the Internet Giants

Let's just say the Singapore decision to introduce this new line-new rules of licensing did not go unnoticed even if they wish probably he did. Internet giants such as Google, Facebook, eBay, Yahoo and Salesforce.com, in fact, expressed their extreme dissatisfaction with this kind of regulation news.

The combined forces, also known by the name of Asia Internet Coalition (AIC), as reported by Yahoo News Wednesday sent a letter stating their concerns to the government last month. AIC says the new system "could unintentionally harm Singapore's ability to continue to drive innovation, the development of key industries in space technology and attract investment in this key sector."

The decision of whether this action is a reasonable government policy or rather detrimental to the development of Singapore is not for me to decide. However, I can offer you a solution to this question

The solution :. Your own VPN (Virtual Private Network)

The use of this simple product, you can not only visit your favorite news sites blocked, but you can also unlock other sites such as your favorite music, movies, social media, etc. The VPN essentially allows you to bypass Internet restrictions such as new filters Singapore site acting as a host to a private IP address. Nobody knows who you are, where you are, or what you do!

In addition to protecting your personal identity, VPN also secures your passwords, bank credit card information and information hackers or eavesdroppers. Whether you live in Singapore, visit Singapore, or just to protect you, a VPN is a simple and easy solution to protecting and safeguarding your personal freedom of the Internet.

Install Hotspot Shield on your iOS device

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Install Hotspot Shield on your iOS device -

Hotspot Shield enables you to safely navigate the Web and restricted access content on your computer and mobile devices. Below is a tutorial that will show you how to sign up for Hotspot Shield Elite and install the application on your iOS device.

measures to protect your iOS device against malware

  1. First, head to www.hsselite.com / sign-up ~~ V and enter the email address and password that you want associated with your account.
  2. Once this has been completed, you will be redirected to your account page. Here you will be greeted with a banner that will tell you to share with friends Hotspot Shield. You can go to later (there is always a chance to win cool prizes!). For now, close the banner and click "Buy more time" if you want to subscribe to Hotspot Shield Elite. If you already have a code to redeem, you can click on "Redeem License" and enter your code there.
  3. After your account has reached Elite Status, it's time to add your device to the account! Go to your iPhone / iPad / iPod Touch, and search for "Hotspot Shield" in the App Store. Alternatively, you can click this link. Install "Hotspot Shield" from AnchorFree.
  4. Once you have installed the app, tap on it to start. You will be prompted to register or enter either the details of existing accounts. Since we have already created an account in steps 1 and 2, press "Existing Account" and enter your login information.
  5. The application will now redirect you to Safari and ask you to install the Hotspot Shield profile. Press "Install" and press "Done." Now you should be redirected to the Hotspot Shield application.
  6. After a few seconds, the application should connect to the VPN say that Hotspot Shield is connected!

And it is that simple. Now you can see how long Hotspot Shield has been on the navigation statistics, and manage your account. The application also allows you to increase your Elite subscription. Just type in "My Account" and choose the plan that is best for you.

If any of these steps were confused, you can watch the YouTube tutorial we created. If you still need to ask more questions, feel free to leave a comment and I'll respond.
Safe Surfing!

5 Sneaky Ways Gets Malware on your computer

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5 Sneaky Ways Gets Malware on your computer -

malware is a destructive force that can cause a lot of damage to your computer equipment, your personal information and even your finances.

using an anti-malware program updated, enabling a firewall, and keep your operating system updated with the latest security patches, you can go a long way towards protect your device against malware attacks.

But following the above security measures is not always a guarantee that you will be fully protected against malware attacks. Criminals are constantly coming up with new ways to find vulnerabilities in the security of your computer.

You should not rely on preventive measures above. The first important defensive measure is to understand how malware gets on your computer first.

What is malware?

Malware is software that is intended to disrupt the normal operation of your computer, collecting personal information and potentially sensitive or enter the main computer processing controls, modify or make non- operation. The malware term is an abbreviation of

There are a number of different forms of malware that may include, but are not limited to "malware." Computer viruses, worms, Trojan horses , dialers, spyware, adware, rogue security software, and more.

Each of these types of malware can cause a significant amount of harm to you or your computing device. . In addition, the malware may be running stealthily on your device without your awareness

Sneaky Ways malware enters your computer

Here are some ways hijacked by malware enters your PC:

1) through electronic links or attachments

you saw them now - those pesky spam emails that say you should check this site or this one to get the inside track on a beautiful case. Or maybe, you received an email from someone in your contact list that does not quite sound like them.

If you click a suspicious link or open an attachment (as a number of cute puppy or kitten pictures that make their way around the Internet), you may be opening the door to malware

always know the source of the email before clicking on any links -. and even then it is not a bad idea to confirm that the sender has not been hacked. If you want to open an attachment, make sure that you either check with the person who sent you the link to be sure it is genuine or use an anti-virus program that scans all links and attachments before you allowing those sites.

2) by clicking on scareware popups

Yes, there are a lot of delicate pop all over the Internet and some even claim that your computer is infected with a virus - just "click here" now to solve the problem.

These contextual ads are effective because most people do not have a clue on how computer viruses are transmitted and think popups represent official opinions, as if they have come from programs that are already running on their computers.

However, in many cases, these popups are usually malicious programs that attempt to trick you into clicking the ad so they can have access to your computer. Then , your computer will really be infected!

Always know what kind of anti-virus program you have running on your computer and only to answer these requests come from this program.

3) Using JavaScript While Web Surfing

Contrary to popular belief, there is no such thing as an Internet browser safely . Firefox, IE, Chrome and even are susceptible to malware

However, JavaScript is one of the culprits that allow attacks by disabling JavaScript on your browser - .. Except for those you know and trust specifically - can go a long way toward protecting your computer, tablet or smartphone.

4) Fault Using Adobe Acrobat Reader

When reading PDF files, in most cases, Adobe Acrobat Reader is the default program that opens . However, opening a PDF file that was created by a cybercriminal can infect your computer with malware.

PDF files are different from other document files and it is important that you keep your Adobe programs updated with the latest security patches.

5) Login to sites through Email Link

one of the most common mistakes people make today is to click on the connection links sent by the "stores" or they attend the "banks" they use. No store or financial institution will never send an email asking to connect.

This is usually a sign of hacking or malware attack. If you have any questions or doubts, immediately close the email and call the company directly. Never use the link provided.

These are just 5 of the ways that malware can get into your computer, but there are many others. Remember, the more steps you take to be safe and secure, more efficient, you will keep your computer running efficiently for years to come.

How to bypass Internet censorship in Saudi Arabia

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How to bypass Internet censorship in Saudi Arabia -

If you live in a country where the Internet is open and uncensored, you really should never complain about anything be it ever because the means you live in a country that values ​​freedom of thought on censorship

Saudi Arabia is not one of them. the government directs all international Internet traffic through a proxy with a content filter. How bad? Reporters Without Borders ranked Saudi Arabia 161st out of 173 countries for press freedom.

Websites and content related to pornography or content linked to politics and religion that are considered offensive or inappropriate by the Saudi government censorship are targets.

What content filtering?

Content filtering is performed using a software designed and optimized for controlling what content viewers can see. Content filtering is commonly used by government, Internet service providers, schools, employers and parents to restrict content delivered over the Internet via the web, email or other means. The content-control software determines what content can be accessed or content will be blocked.

What is Internet censorship?

According to Wikipedia, "Internet censorship is control or suppression of what is available, published or available on the Internet. It can be done by governments, private organizations, at the request of government regulatory agencies or on their own initiative. "

CNET reported that Saudi Arabia has threatened to block several popular Internet chat, call and messaging services if they don 't get in compliance with the regulatory requirements of the country. The applications in question include Skype, WhatsApp and Viber.

According to a CNN report, "A declaration of Communications of Saudi Arabia and Information Technology published by SPA reading, the Commission stresses that it will take appropriate action regarding those applications and services for non-compliance with these conditions. "

Imagine.

Using a VPN to bypass Internet censorship

censorship bother me. (On the other hand, I would like to see some people squelched when it comes to comments and vitriol. But that's another article.) Fortunately, the VPN applications such as Hotspot Shield VPN fight against censorship and allows you to unlock websites everywhere.

VPN function by allowing you to create a secure tunnel between your computer and a VPN server that is in a different location. The VPN server is located in a place that has unlimited access to the desired website or content. The VPN server then accesses the content on your behalf and transmits the content back to you via the secure tunnel.

If you travel abroad, you may find that the local government blocks access to certain sites or services by defining restrictions based on location, and these restrictions impede access to sites on the blacklist in the country you are. helping you to get around these walls, Hotspot Shield is about freedom of information.

Robert Siciliano on Google+

How to erase data on your phone before selling

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How to erase data on your phone before selling -

Looking to move to a better and newer smartphone? It has become common practice to upgrade to a newer mobile device from one to three years.

But before you sell, donate or discard the old, be sure to completely erase all your personal data and information.

Your old mobile phone contains all sorts of personal data such as user names, passwords, addresses and phone numbers of your contacts, family photos, etc.

If your personal information happens to fall into the wrong hands, you could become the next victim of identity theft!

recently I did a test where I bought a bunch of equipment used off of craigslist and eBay to see if I could find personal data about them. I found a surprising amount of personal data, including photos, phone numbers, addresses, emails, text messages and even passwords!

While most of us think that we are safe if we do a factory reset on our mobile device, this is not always the case. On some Android phones, although some of the phones had a factory reset, I was still able to find data on them.

To ensure that your device is deleted from your data, follow these tips below

  • Wipe your device: for mobile phones, you want to do a factory reset. The software to do this is built into the phone.
    • factory reset Android: Menu> Settings> Privacy> Factory Reset
    • factory reset iPhone :. Settings> General> Reset> Reset All Settings
    • Blackberry factory reset .: Options> Security Options> General Settings> Menu> Wipe Handheld
    • Windows 7 phone factory reset: .. Settings> about> Reset phone
  • on other operating systems or phones based on Symbian, you will need to do a search on your phone online, such as "phone name, model number, Reset Carrier Factory."
  • Remember remove or wipe all media, such as SD cards or SIM cards. So these are cheap, it is best to cut them in half with scissors or reuse.
  • Still not if you got all your data off? Get a drill and drill a lot of holes in the device and its hard drive, or hit it with a hammer. This can be fun, but it can also make it less salable. 🙂

Robert Siciliano on Google+

Meet Crooks behind identity theft [Infographic]

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Meet Crooks behind identity theft [Infographic] -

Identity theft is growing 15-20% annually and each of us is a victim potential, whatever our age, nationality or status.

Identity theft victims suffer more than just the financial loss. The damage to their reputation and credit rating could take months and sometimes years to repair

A recent study reveals these alarming statistics:

  • There were 12 6 million identity theft victims in 2012 in the United States (1 victim every 3 seconds), an increase of more than 1 million compared to 2011.
  • total financial loss attributed to identity theft in 2012 was $ 21 billion.
  • consumer 1-4 who received a data breach notification letter has become a victim of identity fraud.

As criminals become more sophisticated and creative, it becomes increasingly important for you to take the necessary steps to protect your personal information.

The following graphics presents the three crooks behind identity theft, reveals common methods they use to obtain your personal information and what you can do to reduce your risk of becoming the next victim identity theft.

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How to Avoid Holiday Shopping trap - Tips for Safe Online Shopping [Infographic]

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How to Avoid Holiday Shopping trap - Tips for Safe Online Shopping [Infographic] -

The holiday season is here. This year, Adobe expects Cyber ​​Monday online spending is expected to break $ 2.27 billion, which is an increase of 55% compared to 2012.

But buyers should be cautious. Cyber ​​criminals are most active in triggering malware, viruses and various scams during the holiday shopping season.

Fortunately, the infographic below provides some useful tips to help you shop online securely.

Image credit

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Celebrate 0 million downloads Hotspot Shield

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Celebrate 0 million downloads Hotspot Shield -

Our popular Hotspot Shield VPN application exceeded 0 million global downloads!

In only a 1 year period, we doubled the number of downloads from 100 million to 0 million. This is a remarkable step for us and we would like to thank all our users and supporters to help us get where we are today

Here are some interesting statistics that define the growth of Hotspot Shield :.

  • up over nine million new downloads per month
  • Security and privacy enforcement # 1 on iPhone® and iPad® devices. The application now maintains and protects more than 350,000 social media messages and 50,000 emails all private hours.
  • Hotspot Shield has seen the growth of mobile three-digit in the last 12 months and has been installed 21 million smart phone users to date.

With consumer concerns about privacy, security and access concerns digital climbing in 2014, AnchorFree expects adoption to Hotspot Shield will continue to accelerate.

$ 10 USD Get Off on Hotspot Shield Elite

To celebrate our 0 million downloads stage, we offer a $ 10 USD (33%) Off discount on a one-year subscription of Hotspot Shield Elite Service (Valid from January 13 - 19).

Hotspot Shield Elite offers a browsing experience without advertising, faster connections, protecting the complete malware and access to multiple virtual locations

Use the link below and $ 10 coupon automatically applies http :. // Store .esellerate.net / hsselite / 0million.

Alternatively you can also go to HSSElite.com/buy, select the 1 year plan (choose the credit card or PayPal payment options) and 0MM use promo code to get the discount.

How to protect your device against spyware

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How to protect your device against spyware -

Have you heard of spyware, right? Spyware comes in the form of a virus and software commercially available and legal. It is illegal for a foreigner (or someone you know, unless they own the device, and you just use it) to install spyware on your computer or smartphone and spy on you.

However, many parents, maybe you do use this same technology to keep an eye on the computer and smartphone activities of their children. And it is perfectly legal to do so. Reference is made to domestic surveillance. And frankly, if you have a daughter aged 12 years with a mobile phone, it is not a bad idea to know what she is and who she is chatting with. If you have a 14 year old boy, you definitely want to know what it is because I'm 14 times and dang, I was up to no good!

There are many smart applications that can monitor your children's online activities. According to their characteristics of these applications can do everything you order them at the facility, including the track where your children are in physical space, monitor their text messages, videos and photos sent and received the calls made and received and even the websites they visit. For parents, this can provide a significant degree of insight and peace of mind

There are two versions :. It lets the user know that it is running by showing an icon, and that, during the race, do not let the user knows (the second version is great for parents, but also precisely what a criminal wants).

outside of parental supervision, this type of technology is considered "spyware", while sellers who are promoting these applications market smart ways to look remotely on your children

You can clearly see how this application can be abused. installed, for example, the unit of a former lover. You can see these worms slithering out of this open box. However, the parameters of what is legitimate and what is illegal with these types of applications have not been universally statement, they are a little blurry.

brands

But incidents on a case by case decision are, as former US sheriff who was sentenced to probation because he installed one of these applications on the work of his wife's computer to spy on her.

How to protect your device against spyware

applications as described above can be installed remotely, not just directly. You can protect your device as follows:

  • androids have many more options for spyware then iPhones, unless jailbroken do not
  • is crucial for your device to have some sort of protection against spyware. . Most antivirus programs recognize spyware.
  • Never click on a link in an email or text because it can direct you to a malicious download.
  • Never part with your device when you 're in public; never let anyone use it. If they claim that they need to make a call because of an emergency, you can make the call.
  • Your mobile should require a password for access. A password-protected phone makes it difficult to install spyware.
  • If your phone has apparently developed a mind of its own, or it is "behaving" strangely lately, it probably means that it was owned by spyware. If you think your phone was bugged with spyware, then reinstall the operating system. Just confer with the user manual of the device. Or, call the customer service of the carrier for instructions.
  • If you plan to install spyware on someone's device, examine the legality of your first actions to determine whether the facility is one that involves an open and honest conversation or be secretly, then consider this: just because you can, does not mean you should. Think about what you do and the impact it may have.

How data brokers get your personal information

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How data brokers get your personal information -

Data brokers have a lot of personal information about you; here's what you can do about it.

Ever heard of the term "data broker"? What do you think that is? Think about it a moment. Yep, you got it. An entity that is going after your data and sell it to another entity

The entity that receives the data, the broker is called a consumer data company. They pull huge amounts of data from people across the globe and sell it. And who wants your personal information? Your information is very important to traders, companies doing background checks and in some cases, and the government.

They want to know what you buy, what you're most likely to buy if you want to lose weight, build muscle, this kind of car you like, where you vacation, what you eat, where you shop for clothes, what kind of disease you have, whether you have been attacked or if you have committed a crime ... just so they can get a solid picture who you are

you know now about data brokers :. a whole new industry that reflects our evolving technology. Lawmakers have taken note of this flourishing industry, trying to get companies to give consumers some control over what becomes of their data.

At least one data broker allows for you to see how much data is out there about you and possibly modify and update. But this is not enough

Just how much data brokerage firms even know the people

They build up inside you.?; starting with the information of the skeleton (name, address, age, race) and padding the meat from there: education level, medical conditions, income, life events, (buying a house, have divorced), driving record, legal proceedings against you, credit scores and more. A credit rating agency even sells lists of names of people who expect babies and newborns that. They even sell lists of people who make charitable donations and read romance novels. Data brokers can even get ahold of your income information.

This does not mean that every dealer a data knows everything about you. It's just a heck of a lot of personal information about you is potentially scattered throughout. Data Brokerage is legal: a multi-billion involving billions of transactions every day. But this does not mean that the consumer is no right or authority. You can, indeed, do some recovery of your name in the data brokerage industry

How do you control and manage your name

Sit back and Wait.? As mentioned, legislators are putting the heat on data from companies to make it possible for consumers to have some control over this. The FTC recommended in a 2012 report that the data mining industry to establish a website that reveals the names of US data brokers and other relevant information

  • Got StopDatamine.me to :. Data brokers have not responded, so that someone else has done :. a site that tells consumers that are data brokers and their links to opt-out
  • Browse "Incognito" with the Google Chrome browser, you can open a "new incognito window" once opened, you have gone incognito. Pages you view in incognito tabs will not stick around in your browser history, cookie store or search history after you've closed all your incognito tabs. All downloaded files and bookmarks you create will be kept.
  • However, you are not invisible. Going incognito does not hide your browsing from your employer, your Internet service provider or Web sites you visit
  • Using a VPN. For the ultimate hiding your webcrumbs use Hotspot Shield VPN acts as a proxy and covers your IP address and protect your devices and Wifi pirates data at the same time
  • Plugins :. Chrome and Firefox browsers offer a plethora of addons to hide your browser. Donottrackme is a good
  • Behave :. Yes, just be good, do not commit crimes, because you can not erase the bad behavior of government files

FTC settlement data security: 7 Examples of why it is necessary

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FTC settlement data security: 7 Examples of why it is necessary -

As the digital world grows with the addition of each new user, security threats data continue to afflict some of the world's leading retailers, websites and online storefronts. Cyber ​​criminals are in phase with the online security progress, while finding new and sophisticated ways to breach systems, which is exactly why the Federal Trade Commission seeking to fight with the new regulations .

and the Committee on Trade of the Senate seems to agree, having recently called for stronger federal standards and greater accountability in the protection of customer data after the target debacle last year. And the need for such a law is obvious. The credit card information and email address stolen social security numbers compromised, here are seven examples of violations of data security that the FTC is trying to fight.

1. Massive Security Breach target

Regarding data security threats, even giants are equally sensitive to violations that small companies. Such is the case with retail megastore target, which experienced a security breach amazing during the 2013 holiday shopping season. The retailer has been the victim of hackers, causing more than 40 million stolen credit card statements and 70 million pirated personal files, including email addresses of customers.

With reports ignored safety warnings and other forms of negligence on the part of the target, the FTC investigation into the massive violation. If the FTC believes that Target has taken part in security practices of neglect data, the decision could lead to new regulations for businesses and their customer information backup procedures.

2. Threats to security and Empire Social Media

As the number of social media users increased by the millisecond, it is not surprising that hackers target social sites. Early last year, Zendesk, the customer service provider for sites like Tumblr, Twitter and Pinterest, announced that it has been hacked. The incident, which was minor compared to the violation of the target, however, resulted in hackers get thousands of users of e-mails, which were then probably used for phishing scam attempts.

In a similar incident, Twitter was hacked again in late 2013, as well as certain social powers such as LinkedIn and Facebook, as well as Google and Yahoo. All in all, a violation of malware security hit 93,000 websites, resulting piracy around 2 million passwords and user names. malware flew under the radar for a month while the user login information was compromised.

3. Hacking the college

The pirates are becoming more brazen, up to hack the database of colleges and universities. Indeed, in March 2014, the University of Wisconsin-Parkside was a high-level security breach, where over 15,000 current students and recent graduates have had their personal information hacked by his own university student web portal page .

Although the University of Wisconsin does not yet know the extent of damage, academic investigators believe all the phone numbers and addresses to the sensitive information that security numbers and email addresses social are at risk.

4. Source code leak Adobe

Whether for personal gain, information leakage, or both - cyber criminals hack into online systems for many different reasons. In October 2013, the giant Adobe software reported a breach in which the credit card information of more than 3 million customers was stolen. To add insult to injury, hackers also posted the usernames and passwords of another 150 million customers at different websites on the cyber black market, following the same hacking incident .

Although Adobe reports that cyber criminals were able to infiltrate the system due to a leak rare source code violation created major damage because most victims of piracy had personal banking information relating to their accounts as password clues. Adobe Photoshop users have been at the heart of the breach of security, which is probably due to the popularity of software creating a large number of registered users.

5. Online Safety and Sears

Because the massive companies have a harder time monitoring their online livelihoods because of the size of their databases more the company, the better for hackers. Although no official report was filed yet, Sears is under investigation for possible violation of current security that could expose the personal information of millions of customers.

Sears Holding Corporation currently has digital forensic experts scouring their databases and systems to see whether or not cyber attacks are nor ever was, a threat. Sears takes the matter seriously, going so far as to seek the help of the secret services to assist in the security review. In March 2014, Sears reported that no breach of the system have been found so far.

6. LivingSocial Password Encryption

In spring 2013, the king LivingSocial coupon was the victim of a particularly nasty security breach in the form of cryptographic descrambling over 50 million words password users. Before breaking the system, LivingSocial used a fairly simple password algorithm that could simply not hold up to repeated attempts encryption pirates.

Because protected poorly designed based password storage company data algorithm, hackers were able to essentially reverse the encrypted passwords of customers with ease, which opened the access to their accounts. The security breach LivingSocial customer names and email addresses exposed, allowing hackers to use the information to break into other personal accounts.

7. Attack Two-Fold Target: Violation of safety Aftermath

As security breaches of data for large companies earn nationally and attention in the worldwide, more cybercriminals are jumping on the security being breached and try to get a piece of the pie hacking. This is exactly what happened to the target with the phishing scam happened after security monitoring violation of emails.

To better inform its customers of the situation, Target has sent emails to all customers affected as regards the details of the security breach. As a result, hackers also sent phishing emails disguised as emails targets that have asked customers to check their credit scores using the provided e-mail link.

Although the target sent another series of emails to inform customers not to click on email links that request personal information and other useful online safety tips, it there were still countless clients who have been victims of phishing scam.

with breaches of data happens all across the Internet, the above cases are just a handful of the many reasons why the FTC needs to increase its regulations. Not doing so could result in a financial fallout from the shocking Earth to the global economy.

5 Terrifying Ramifications of medical identity theft

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5 Terrifying Ramifications of medical identity theft -

Last year, nearly two million Americans have become a medical identity theft victim, 32 percent more than the previous year. Today, medical identity theft accounts for 43 percent of all identity theft in the United States, and cases are increasing faster than any other type of identity theft.

medical identity theft occurs when someone uses the name of another person and other personal attributes to fraudulently receiving products or medical services, including prescription drugs and refunds insurance. As crime becomes increasingly common, it is important to consider some of its terrifying ramifications.

This can seriously damage the medical records

Half of Americans do not realize that medical identity theft can cause permanent damage to their medical records. This damage could see the victims of medical identity theft receiving incorrect treatment or even life-threatening in the future.

Imagine you are in the emergency room, unconscious and rapidly losing blood. If you were awake, you tell the doctors that your blood type is B +, but once you get knocked down, they can see your medical records - those who say that you are A- after an identity thief had a blood test.

If you receive incompatible blood, antibodies in the blood will attack and destroy the red cell donors, which could cause fever, bleeding, shortness of breath, and kidney damage. Likewise, if the person who stole your medical identity had no allergies, doctors may prescribe a sulfonamide you really are fatally allergic.

This is not only theoretical problems. Studies show that nearly 15 percent of victims of medical flight to the United States were misdiagnosed and 13 percent received ill treatment due to incorrect medical records. More of a 10-victims were prescribed the wrong drugs because of this problem.

Despite these concerns, about half of all US medical theft victims do nothing to resolve their cases. This complacency leaves them open to serious medical problems in the future.

It costs individuals thousands

The cost of rectifying the medical records may discourage many victims to take action. If someone steals your credit card and start using it, most credit card companies will waive the charges and restore your financial records.

However, victims of medical identity theft do not receive such protection. Consequently, the costs associated with medical identity theft tend to be six times greater than for financial identity theft.

In 2013, 12.3 billion victims theft costs American Medical identity around $ hors-pocket expenses. Each victim has spent an average of $ 22,346 paying bills they do not suffer, paying larger fees for medical treatment after they passed wrongly insurance coverage, and pay for legal advice, protection identity, and credit reports to correct the damage.

Can you afford over $ 20k straighten this mess? Even if you could, do not expect that the flashing silver will remove the problem. On average, it takes more than a year to recover the victims of damage caused by medical identity theft.

cover its impact on victims Insurance

Your health care provider looks at your medical records to determine your coverage, it is logical that the changes made by the medical identity theft can seriously affect your insurance.

For example, all the treatments you really need might not be covered because your records insist that you have exceeded your maximum annual benefits. You may even be denied insurance coverage entirely because your medical records claim that you have a serious medical condition such as AIDS disease or Parkinson's, you do not.

This problem could not only affect your health insurance, either. Imagine you decide it's time to apply for life insurance to protect your spouse and children once you are gone. This could also be dismissed because your medical records incorrectly show that you are a higher risk because of chronic illness. You might even be rejected for a job if a prospective employer survey on your erroneous medical records.

These problems occur with real Americans with frightening regularity. Nearly two in five American victims of medical identity theft have lost their insurance coverage due to security breaches.

This is the Abusing Healthcare Providers

faith

As medical identity theft rate grows, Americans lose their health care providers. Fifty-six percent of US victims of medical identity theft say they have lost confidence in their health care provider after the crime took place.

So many Americans believe that health care providers are responsible for the protection of medical records that 57 percent of local consumers would abandon their current provider if they could not protect their files. Obviously, any breach of trust resulting from medical identity theft would seriously impact the bottom line of a healthcare provider.

This is disturbing for health care providers who are supposed to help Americans who help themselves. Half of Americans do not take steps to protect against medical identity theft. These steps might include checking their health records and explanation of benefits.

Fifty-two percent of Americans who find the unknown health claims on file do report them. Although "family fraud" is on the rise, 30 percent of Americans allow family members to use their personal identification to obtain medical services.

Correction of medical records can also be costly for healthcare providers. Studies suggest that the fight against medical data breach can cost suppliers around $ 211 for each affected individual file. In addition, companies that do not meet the regulatory requirements established by the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act can face $ 1.5 million in fines and damages.

There could ruin doctors Careers

medical identity theft has the power to damage not only health care providers without a face, but the careers of honest doctors, too. If a thief steals their medical records, they can deal with important bills and legal action. Patients may also lose confidence in their doctor and take their business elsewhere.

The offices of many doctors and medical offices lack the necessary security measures to keep secure their files, even if they are legally responsible for safeguarding patient information. Many medical practices allow staff to access patient records via their own devices.

Most do not even need these devices to have antivirus and virtual private networks installed. Without these security measures in place, doctors and other medical personnel may become unwitting accomplices to medical identity theft.

These terrifying ramifications of medical identity theft should remind all Americans of the importance of protecting their privacy.

How your household items could be spying on Everything You Do

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How your household items could be spying on Everything You Do -

Many items in your home, including your dryer, a computer with the ability to track your behavior. Corporations and hacker even more to find ways to profit from making data even our most mundane daily activities.

Thanks to the Internet constantly growing things that become embedded in the fabric of our lives, it is difficult to trust even the most ordinary objects into inanimate appearance in your home. See how your household items could be spying on everything you do

Devices With cameras are vulnerable

Your TV and a laptop now have something in common -. A camera and an Internet access. An Internet connection without protection is all hackers have to enter your living room TV and transform your entertainment for the evening. This very scenario unfolded terribly in 2013 Miss Teen USA Cassidy Wolf. The then 19 year old was the victim of an extortion attempt 20 years Jared James Abrahams after recording the beauty queen in secret using his own webcam hijacked laptop.

Expired Passwords Doors Wide Open

Although no Internet connection is always 100 percent sure, you can take steps to improve your security. Change the password on your Internet router, including Wi-Fi, from its original factory site. Use a random assortment of numbers, letters and characters when creating the password. Never use personal information, including your social security number, ATM pin, or anniversary.

Appliances communicate with your mobile

Apps that allow your smartphone to work your garage door opener or tell your coffee machine when to start brewing are both practical and dangerous . Your mobile phone collects data based on its use, and so do the applications you download. Companies and marketers - despite supposedly stringent privacy protections - get hold of this information every day worldwide. Although a company may use this information to bring you to target advertising, a hacker could look to steal your identity and ruin your credit rating in the process

Watch your Wi-Fi . Prevention legal use of personal information you freely send to business is fundamentally impossible. You can, however, protect you against online thieves infamous by disabling your open WiFi networks looking phone. Remember, if your phone can connect to a Wi-Fi network of the coffee, so can someone else.

Geo Location Tools Give Away your daily habits

Even your washer and dryer can have the technology to join the network of the manufacturer so that technicians can verify the performance. These devices can also send information about their location, including your street address, and the trends in use over time. All persons entering the network could access the data stored on your devices and use the information to create a draft of your regular routine

request details :. Before purchasing a large machine with networking capabilities, drill manufacturer for some answers. Want to know the relative strength of their network, what safeguards they have in place to protect customer data, and for how long they keep your information in their system. Do not settle for vague answers. specific demand or take your money elsewhere.

Devices associated create security risks chains

Your cell phone links to a network that speaks to your thermostat in the house, which connects to the Internet to talk back, who then broadcasts the data stream containing your personal information. Does that sound at all sure of yourself? The more devices you put in communication with each other, the more likely a person to find a bad link in the chain. devices and related outreach work against you because once access to the gains of pirates in one, it has access to all

Encrypt your wireless router :. Your home Wi-Fi is by far the lowest level of your security level. A password alone will not stop a determined thief, but the figures should work. See this PC World article on the best ways to protect your home network with encryption.

Monitoring Home Security Systems

cameras and digital systems on your property designed to track the intruder can become tools for home invasion and espionage. Can you open your door and turn the lights on your phone or tablet? So can a cyber criminal. The computers in modern security cameras are just as vulnerable as a desktop PC with an open Internet connection. Someone might control your home surveillance devices for weeks without ever knowing you

left to professionals :. If your home security company offers an option to system wiring in their operations center, do it. Let protect professionals.

Beware of hidden microchips

Have you got a very good deal on a Chinese teapot? This steeper recovery might have a listening device implanted in it. He arrived in Russia where authorities discovered an entire table made in China kettles and irons with implanted devices that may access wireless networks unprotected wire. The purpose of these devices? To get inside retail networks and cause general havoc, says UK tech blog The Register. In your home, spyware of this type could tiptoe past your Internet security settings and enter your stored information, including Social Security numbers and credit card

Be a Shopper lit :. We live in a technological world where a chip no bigger than your fingernail may collect your personal data and store it for later use. Buy products from reputable retailers and avoid very small sites with brands that you do not recognize.

Images and Sounds Give Away tons of data

Each digital picture and sound file created with a cell phone, tablet, computer or other digital device has a tracking variable amount of metadata with it . This image format (EXIF) exchangeable info can carry right down position at which you created the original file. Anyone pinning images from your digital camera, phone, or tablet could understand where you live or places you frequent on the basis of such data

Set your camera settings :. Set your smartphone and tablet settings to file your tracking information when sending images.

There is no way to turn back the dial on the integration of the unit. The protection of your privacy in this hyper communication age is more important than ever. Understand your devices and how they talk to each other. You can just avoid giving your life story of the dishwasher.

Shellshock could be a greater threat than the Bug heartbleed

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Shellshock could be a greater threat than the Bug heartbleed -

Back in April, the Internet has been shaken by the threat of heartbleed, a bug that targeted encryption OpenSSL and flew up to 64kb of data at once. Millions of users and businesses have been affected by the virus, and 40 percent of Internet users actively change their passwords when news broke of vulnerability. Today there is a new threat. Shellshock, a Bug Bash, even Mac and Linux users, Ubuntu, and other vulnerable systems to attack.

What is a Bug Bash?

The shell of a computer is a way for the user to send requests or communicate with a computer, and bash is actually an acronym for "Bourne Again Shell," named after the shell code Stephen Bourne. it is a basic shell with some programs that help compatibility. When there is a vulnerability, hackers add additional code in the hull and can make it do what they want.

a common metaphor used to describe this vulnerability is to leave your door open. Someone can easily open and do what they want in your home. another comparison used by bloggers and the media is having a hole in your shoe. water, dirt and gravel can all slip through and damage your foot.

This is not New Flaw

the reason bloggers use the metaphor leave your door open is because this vulnerability was lurking in the shadows for years. Unfortunately, the recent reveal of the bug and the subsequent media coverage bring to the attention of hackers everywhere. Continuing the metaphor, it is as if a group of criminals has just discovered an entire neighborhood that never closes its doors.

Everyone is looking for examples of Shellshock attacks "in the wild", or for the purpose of operating the systems in place to test vulnerabilities. ZDNet already reported finding malware that launched distributed denial of service (DDoS) on software and ran passwords and common logins (admin, password, 12345, etc.) in an attempt to hack and steal data.

Who Will be affected by Shellshock

For years, Mac users have believed it (Busted) myth that their systems will never get viruses and are impervious to all attacks malicious software or system. This bug could change all that. Moreover, Bash is available on any Linux system, and is a basic common shell that can be easily used. Many non-Windows devices could be affected.

Security researcher Robert Graham told ZDNet that the preliminary calculations of vulnerability could be underestimated. DHCP systems are also vulnerable, as malware can worm his ways past firewalls to infect other systems. "A key question is whether the Mac OS X and DHCP iPhone services are vulnerable - once the worm is behind a firewall and performs a hostile DHCP server, it would be" game over "for large networks," . He said

Therefore Shellshock is such a threat to technology. It is a common bug which can be easily operated, and when it is, hundreds of millions of computers could be affected.

What this means for the Internet of Things

The National Institute of Standards and Technology National Database vulnerability has Shellshock 10 of 10 for impact that the bug might have on the internet of Things and its operability.

This bug affects more than laptops or a particular device, but rather a range of computers that are connected to the Internet. It would be one thing if only the Mac and iPhone users have been hurt by Shellshock, but more than half a billion devices of different brands could be available. Routers, medical devices, and cell phones that use UNIX-based Web servers are vulnerable. It is not only a Mac problem; it is a problem of Internet.

The main difference between Shellshock and heartbleed is that this bug has access to your operating system, giving total control to an attacker that exploits the bug to access your computer. It goes much further than information theft.

How long before the hole is patched?

Unfortunately, the creation of a fix for this bug is not an easy proposition. Heartbleed only affected a version of OpenSSL, but this hole is in any and all devices that use Bash. Developers can not begin to calculate a time to correct the bug until they have an idea how many devices are actually vulnerable.

Apple announced that it was working quickly to create a patch Shellshock on its devices, and urges users not to worry. Some Linux vendors have released patches, and Ubuntu has changed Bash Dash. Dash is short for Debian Almquist Shell, which is a shell replacement orders

What users can do

Users who are not familiar with bugs -.? Much less coding and DDOS attacks - are often left wondering what they can do when something like this happens. While most users have to sit and wait for a solution, there are preliminary steps that all computer owners can take to ensure that their devices are secure from other types of attacks that could result from Shellshock.

First, change your passwords. If you were one of the 40 percent who changed their heartbleed over there six months, then it's time to change again. If your password or passwords are easy to guess (such as admin and password123), then switch to something stronger. Hackers already use this vulnerability to insert malware to guess the password, to change yours before your unit is attacked.

Also, update your hardware and software immediately. It is tempting to click on the window and install an update later, but different software vendors will be releasing patches in the coming days. Update your computer today and keep the installation as new updates arrive.

Finally, those who are tech savvy can follow the instructions provided by WonderHowTo to check whether or not your device is vulnerable.

In the coming days, more information about Shellshock arise. Some will be good as developers create patches and can determine exactly how many devices are affected. More news will be bad that hackers have broken developers and take advantage of the vulnerability before it can be fixed. It is up to users to protect their devices at best they can and hope the developers can fix the bug before all Internet objects is affected.

Image via Flickr by Robbert van der Steeg

Why the FDA investigation of medical devices cybersecurity

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Why the FDA investigation of medical devices cybersecurity -


Health care providers have long sensed a threat to medical devices and systems that use wireless connectivity thread. Hospital information systems have dealt with hackers to access their files and corrupting their systems, but the threat of implanted medical devices is even greater.

In 08, researchers at the Medical Device Security Center found that implantable cardiac defibrillators using a pacemaker technology could be hacked wirelessly with potentially fatal results. These products used unencrypted radio signals, allowing an attacker access to the device if he or she was in range.

The researchers of this study have access to patient data, adjust how the device would respond to cardiac events, and induce fibrillation. Essentially, it showed that a hacker could turn a device off or administering a potentially lethal shock.

In 2011, a researcher demonstrated at the Black Hat security conference that he could hack into his own insulin pump. With only the serial number of the device, he was able to set the parameters remotely. He also wrote a program that could scroll through the available numbers to find the serial target device number. This would give the attacker the ability to administer a potentially lethal dose of insulin. Though both attacks were hypothetical, this research has shone a light on a glaring flaw in the way work wireless medical devices.

Get involved government

The researcher who hacked his insulin pump successfully drew attention public to the issue of cybersecurity for medical devices. Reps Anna Eshoo (D-CA) and Ed Markey (D-MA) asked the Office of the Government's responsibility to review the safety of wireless medical devices. In 2012, the Information Security and Privacy Advisory Board urged the FDA to take steps to ensure that medical devices are safe.

Following a panel discussion on the topic, the Board noted several important issues. Among them, a lack of government accountability and oversight for cyber security of medical devices and the vulnerability of medical devices in the unsecured family. The Board recommended that the FDA take full responsibility of the government to oversee cybersecurity medical devices.

FDA Response to Cyber ​​medical devices

In June 2013, the FDA issued a draft guidance entitled "Content Premarket Submissions for the management of cybersecurity in medical devices. "The project identifies potential risks associated with medical devices and submissions premarket addresses for these devices, including prior notification to marketing applications for approval before marketing and product development protocols. The same month, the FDA issued "Cybersecurity for medical devices and hospital networks :. FDA Safety Communication. "This document urges device manufacturers and health care facilities to actively put in place safeguards that protect medical devices cyberattack

Less than a year later, the FDA and the national information sharing on health and analysis Center concluded a memorandum of understanding. the collaboration was formed to encourage stakeholders of public health to pursue new innovations in cyber security. it also hopes to create a basic confidence in the public health sector where manufacturers and health care providers can openly share cybersecurity vulnerabilities and work together to solve these problems.

FDA public Workshop on medical devices and health care cybersecurity

October is National cybersecurity awareness Month, and the FDA has used this opportunity to host a public workshop on October 21-22, 2014, entitled "collaborative approaches for medical devices and cybersecurity health care. "the workshop, organized in collaboration with the Department of Homeland security and the Department of health and Human services, discussed the unique security challenges present with advanced medical technology today.

the workshop was to create a collaborative environment where participants could address the risk assessment frameworks for medical devices, identify security problems in the industry, and develop tools for creating a cyber security program for the sector. The workshop program included topics such as "The shortcomings of cybersecurity and challenges: the need to share versus need to guarantee" "The models for information sharing and assessment of shared risks" and

the real dangers of the medical Device hacking

clearly hacking medical devices is a pressing concern and that the vulnerabilities can pose a very real threat. in 2013, former vice- President Dick Cheney revealed that he had wireless capabilities disabled in his pacemaker when the device was implanted in 07. Although this is prior to the media coverage of cyber security threats to medical devices, it shows how very real the threat may be In an interview with CBS, Cheney said. "I am aware of the danger, if you will, that existed."

The TV series "Homeland" highlighted the potential threat posed to medical devices by working an attack of cybersecurity in its plot. While some might argue that this is just fictional television drama, Cheney said he found credible the rebound.

While the medical devices and systems have long been vulnerable to hackers, the growing concern now relates to implantable devices as more of them are coming with wireless connectivity. Customers want insulin pumps they can monitor with smartphone applications. Pacemakers that can transmit patient data to medical providers help providers make decisions in emergency situations. The advantages of this technology are many, but when doctors and patients have access to their devices and data, there is the risk of pirates on their way as well.

Fortunately, although piracy potential is there, there were no cases of malicious hacking implanted medical devices. Researchers have demonstrated the potential of these hacks on either their own or those who are not actually implanted in a patient.

Although hacking medical devices is still mostly a hypothetical concern, it is prudent that the FDA now turn, as he did with his workshop on the subject. With new security measures in place, patients can rest easier knowing that their devices are protected.

The Flaw Mask Attack iOS security: stay safe

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The Flaw Mask Attack iOS security: stay safe
-


The threat of attack Mask has made headlines in recent weeks, warning iOS users Latest Details and this potentially dangerous security flaw. Although such attacks have the potential to compromise a user's data, it is not as malicious or as urgent a concern as it may seem.

The key to avoiding a mask attack is as simple as understanding how it works and take sensible precautions to protect yourself.

What the attack Mask?

at first, the headlines on a security flaw Mask Attack are alarming. However, it is important to understand that an attack mask is just a special way that an attacker can target you and access your data.

A security company has given this type of attack its catchy name, but the underlying idea is not new. Attack a mask is just one approach to hacking into an iPhone in which a developer creates an application that mimics a piece of existing software.

For example, an application that looks and acts like Gmail, but Gmail is not actually could have the potential to collect user's private data without making him realize that something is wrong. The application may prompt the user to enter login information on a fake page, or ask other personal details that could willingly give up if they believed in applying a well-known program they use often.

How Operation

the security flaw that would allow a mask to work attack is a little iOS programming certification applies matching applications with the same packet identifier. This function, which is handy for updating an application with a newer version, could replace a legitimate application with the wrong version of Mask Attack, provided both have identical group IDs.

Although it may be considered a minor security breach, a recent article by iMore highlights the fact that it is neither a default nor a bug. It is simply the way the operating system works. Because the system is designed this way, it is also designed with appropriate security measures to thwart most attacks Mask.

Apple has commented in a statement to the Telegraph, "We designed OS X and iOS security with high guarantees to help protect customers and notify them before installing a potentially malicious software. "

to mask an attack to work, the user must install an application from a source other than the official app Store. After installing voluntarily said application, the user must also press "Trust" on the warning dialog box that appears. Understand the possible dangers of these two actions will go a long way toward protecting users of such an attack.

What is the attack Mask No

Attack A mask is not something that can attack completely ignorant users. If you did not install new applications on your phone, you can not succumb to the attack. If you install applications exclusively from the Apple App Store, you're so sure. Unlike some security threats, where the technology can become infected with low participation of the user, this type of attack is something that will only impact you if you are not careful about what you download and where you get it.

known attacks

the most important thing to know about the Attack Mask is that it is only theoretical at this stage. Although some companies detected and highlighted the potential of this type of attack, Apple released a statement saying: "We are not aware of any customers who have actually been affected by this attack" Despite the hype. about this new iOS security flaw, the Attack mask is not something that actually took place, so that the potential threat is much smaller than some users perceive.

Like so many threats for security, understanding that this flaw exists gives users a huge advantage to protect and prevent. Keeping your iPhone safe is as easy as following a few steps sense.

protect yourself

If you are concerned about the potential threat of an attack mask, the most important thing to do is ask about the applications you download. Paste applications from the App Store to keep you safe. If you download applications from a third party, you are always open to the possibility of a security threat.

iOS show a warning "Untrusted App Developer" for applications that are not in the App Store. Pay attention to warnings like this on your phone and you can easily stay away from potentially dangerous applications. Even if you download an application that is intended to be used as a mask attack, you still have to trust this application because it can start collecting data.

If you download an update to a known application and suddenly see the Untrusted App Developer warning when you open the application, you should click "Do not Trust" and remove the application immediately. This is a huge warning sign that the downloaded application is not authentic and can compromise your privacy and security.

the most effective way to attack a mask work is through a link e- mail. When you click on an embedded link in an email that asks you to download an upgrade, you are less likely to see if the request comes from. It is generally considered good practice to avoid clicking on links in e-mail, especially from an unknown sender.

Downloading applications from an email link will make you more vulnerable to attack Mask. If you get a message alerting you to a bet upgrade, leave the e-mail and download the update via the App Store instead.

Although Apple claimed that the attack mask something that has not happened yet, some companies say the attack begins to circulate. If hackers try to exploit this weakness, the research by security companies will give users a huge advantage against such attempts. Stay alert and aware is all it takes to keep you away from this minor threat. Know your applications and stay aware of your downloads, and you can easily keep your personal information safe from an attack mask.

AnchorFree Hotspot Shield new versions of

10:53 PM Add Comment
AnchorFree Hotspot Shield new versions of -

AnchorFree has recently released new versions of its Hotspot Shield VPN application for Apple iOS 8.0 and Android.

new versions include new features that make the privacy, Wi-Fi security and access to information in the world smarter, easier to use and more secure.

With the latest version of Hotspot Shield, we are making privacy, security and access, a process in one easy step.

now, all you have to do is download Hotspot Shield and with one tap they have access to simple commands privacy, wireless security, and freedom of access to all of the Internet services and the world's information:

Furthermore, we now offer virtual slots 9 on all platforms : uS, Japan, UK, Australia, Canada, Germany, Hong Kong, India and China.

iOS 8.0

iPhone and iPad users can turn Hotspot Shield on and off and select the country they want to connect to from the application of a simple tap. Previously, older iOS limitations have done this, a process in several stages heavier.

Android

The new Android version of Hotspot Shield offers the Smart Protection mode, which automatically detects Wi-Fi networks hazardous and lights to protect users when they surf the Web, shop, enter passwords or sensitive information access.

again, you can choose to activate Hotspot Shield for specific sites. The Hotspot Shield application automatically detects when you visit a site that can be censored or blocked starts to allow access to this site. You can also disable certain sites to be protected by Hotspot Shield and opt-in protection of the sites they frequently visit.

You also have the option to change the country setting, change their virtual location and connect to servers in the US, UK or Japan to access your favorite content, like a match football or entertainment and social media sites with a process with a single tap.

for the American, British and Japanese travelers and expatriates, Hotspot Shield gives you the opportunity to have access to the US, UK and Japanese content everywhere. In addition, both versions include default presets for some of the most popular sites in each country to be always available. Examples of sites that are often censored, but still available through Hotspot Shield, is Google in China, Skype in the Middle East, Twitter and Facebook in many parts of Asia and Africa.

In summary, the incredible things our new versions of Hotspot Shield can do:

  • Secures public Wi-Fi and mobile with HTTPS encryption
  • Prevents hackers from stealing your private information and data
  • Active private and anonymous browsing on the Web
  • Protects against malware from a database of more than 3.5 million suspicious domains
  • allows access to all services and information over the Internet in the world, without geographical restrictions
  • provides easy on / off switch in the application
  • allows you to switch easily between countries (virtual location) with a tap
  • Compatible on all devices on iOS, Mac, PC, Android, Kindle. A subscription covers up to five devices

Price and availability

Hotspot Shield for iOS 8.0 and Android are upscale versions available immediately free and Elite ($ 4.99 / month or $ 29.95 / year). Furthermore, Hotspot Shield is available worldwide for PC, Mac and Kindle devices. For a free download Hotspot Shield visit: www.hotspotshield.com. The free version has ads, while the Elite subscription gives you protection without ads, on up to 5 devices and faster browsing experience

Download Hotspot Shield for free now :.

  • Download Hotspot Shield for iOS from the iTunes Store
  • Download Hotspot Shield for Android Play Store
  • Download Hotspot Shield for Windows
  • Download Hotspot Shield for Mac from Mac App Store
  • Download Hotspot Shield for Mac (.dmg)

How to watch ICC Cricket World Cup live online

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How to watch ICC Cricket World Cup live online -

If you are a cricket fan and are looking for a way to watch the live broadcast of the 2015 Cricket world Cup matches, you came to the right place.

about the 2015 ICC World Cup

ICC World Cup Cricket 2015 is jointly hosted by Australia and New Zealand. The great cricket tournament began February 14th and runs to March 29. Fourteen teams will play 49 matches in 14 venues, with Australia hosting 26 matches, while New Zealand welcomes 23 games.

Team India (aka Men in Blue) are the defending champions after beating Sri Lanka in the last ICC World Cup in 2011. Who do you pick to win the tournament this year?

Follow these steps to live stream Cricket World Cup matches using Hotspot Shield

  1. Download Hotspot Shield on your device (Windows, Mac, iOS and Android). You will need to upgrade to the Elite version to get access to India virtual location, allowing you to broadcast live the cup cricket world. Use promo code "cricket20" to get 20% discount on annual membership Elite (limited time only). Download now:
    • on your Android device
    • on your PC / Mac
    • on your iOS device
  2. Open the application , login to your account to Hotspot Shield Elite benefit from virtual locations and select 9 India
  3. Enable protection (if not already)
  4. Open http: // www ... starsports .com on your Internet browser (Star sports is an Official partner of the ICC). You must have a subscription for the final stages if you want to get live coverage, which is available at Rs 10.. So about 20 US dollars
  5. Now you have unlimited access to live games

Watch our video tutorial:

use Hotspot Shield to watch live games on ESPN and other networks

If you prefer to watch coverage of the tournament by other networks, you can still use use Hotspot Shield to obtain 'access. Note: these networks are offering the services you will need to subscribe to paid. This could become very expensive if you only want the world cup cricket

  • ESPN3 in the United States - .. Select the virtual location US to watch the games via ESPN3
  • Fox sports in Australia -. Select Australia as your virtual location to watch the games via Fox Sports
  • SportsNet in Canada -. Select Canada as a virtual place to watch the games via SportsNet
  • Sky Sports in the UK - select the UK as a virtual place to watch the games via Sky Sports

Enjoy correspondence

I hope this post has helped you to find the best way.! to enjoy all the games cricket live online and also save you time and money. Let us know in the comments if you have questions or send us an email to support@hsselite.com and we will be happy to help!



Peter Nguyen

about Peter Nguyen

Peter Nguyen is passionate about marketing content, blogger and advocate of privacy.

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