malware

Threat researchers from Avast, a company known for digital security and privacy products, have discovered a massive amount of malware infections for people around the world. The researchers say that around 3 million people globally are infected with malware via third-party browser extensions for Instagram, Facebook, Vimeo, and others. Avast researchers say that malware is hidden in at least 28 third-party Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge extensions associated with some of the most popular platforms on the Internet.

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We covered a bit about this hack earlier today - it's the one were a single code invades every iPhone within radio broadcast distance. There's another demonstration video you're going to need to see, too. This video was made by the same security researcher as the last one. This time, he makes the potential for chaos as clear as possible.

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Ransomware might not be new to our ears but, save for some high-profile cases like Garmin's last July, most of the news revolved around companies or unwitting individuals being hit by the malware. Those, however, have never been the only targets and things take an even worse turn when health care facilities become the victims. Such was the case last Sunday when Universal Health Services, one of the largest hospital networks operating in the US, had to resort to pen and paper after several facilities' computer systems shut down and refused to start up due to a ransomware attack.

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Given its more open ecosystem, Android has become notorious for the rampant operation of all kinds of malware. Some of those even get past Google's own scrutiny in reviewing apps for the Google Play Store. Those covertly try to hide their less than innocent behavior but it seems that a certain class of software has been operating out in the open under Google's nose. Starting today, however, stalkerware apps are banned from the Google Play Store, except in cases when they're allowed.

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Once the darling of the Internet, Adobe, formerly Macromedia, Flash has long fallen from grace and even banned in many corners of the Web for its security vulnerabilities. That, however, hasn't really stopped some users from trying to install it, for one reason or another, nor does it stop malware writers from taking advantage of that. Unfortunately for Apple, the latter group was able to pull a fast one and it unknowingly notarized malware disguised as an Adobe Flash installer not once but twice.

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Long gone are the days when Windows is the only vulnerable operating system or at least the most reported one. Mac and Linux computers have their own share of vulnerabilities, some worse than others, but recent times have made them just as enticing to data and money thieves as Microsoft's platform. And then there is Android and iOS which is home to even more personal and sensitive data than our desktops and laptops. A new ransomware has popped up that specifically targets Macs and its mere existence is reason enough for both users and developers to wake up and be on guard.

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For decades, Windows has been regarded as one of the most easily compromised platforms, especially because of its ubiquity, that there has been no shortage of security software developed for it. Over the recent years, however, Microsoft has been developing its own suite of security tools that have become good enough that some users have even started to swear by the Microsoft Defender name. Now Microsoft is bringing its Advanced Threat Protection (ATP) system to two new operating systems, taking it one step closer to becoming truly universal.

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The COVID-19 pandemic isn't just an opportunity for some to finally embrace the work from home life, it is also an opportunity for hackers to exploit people's newfound dependence on the Internet and apps. Of course, it does seem that it's business as usual for Android users as news of yet another malware sneaking into Google Play Store surfaces. Given how it has targeted even children's games, it's a worrying precedent that needs to be nipped at the bud immediately.

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Google is upgrading its Advanced Protection system, the most stringent security it offers to at-risk users, with two new ways protect from potential hacks and malware. Announced at the tail-end of 2017, Advanced Protection builds on existing two-factor authentication with extra security systems, for those who might be a more alluring target for hackers.

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The Internet has connected thousands if not millions of computers to make the world a virtually smaller place but that has also enabled a new form of criminal activity. Botnets do more than just infect computers, they also use those infected computers to further spread their illegal activities. Now Microsoft is proudly announcing how it took part in an operation that has disrupted one of the most prolific botnets in the world, at least for the next 25 months.

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Not all two-factor authentication systems, a.k.a. 2FA, are created equal and some, like SMS, are deemed insecure but still better than no 2FA at all. In lieu of ubiquitous biometrics, the easiest 2FA method recommended is the use of a 2FA app of which Google Authenticator is perhaps the most popular. But what if that 2FA app itself is discovered to be insecure? That's the rather worrying situation users may find themselves in thanks to a new but thankfully still unreleased malware.

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Today Microsoft Defender ATP for Linux was made available for public preview, and a version for iOS (for iPhone and iPad) and Android were announced. The Android and iOS versions of Microsoft Defender ATP will be released later this year. Today's preview of the Linux version was first shown at Ignite 2019 running on Ubuntu.

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