Security Bulletin: Ending Windows 7 support, infected phone apps, ransomeware and hacked encryption
And let's start the New Year off with...
Ending Windows 7 support, infected phone apps, ransomeware, hacked encryption and tons of other things I can help you with...
Microsoft officially ends support for Windows 7 TODAY.
Microsoft has been announcing for some time it would be ending it's support for Windows 7. Well, TODAY IS THE DAY! (and the final one). On the upside, Google announced that it will be extending support for it's Chrome browser in Windows 7 for another 18 months. There are also ways to upgrade Windows 7 to Windows 10 for free. For more information about Chrome support, click [here]. For information about Windows 7 support and how to upgrade to Windows 10, click [here].
Google removes some 1,700 apps from the Play store.
In an article on Threatpost.com it was noted that Google has remove some 1,700 Android apps from the Play store due to a malware infection called "Joker" (also called "Bread"). Actually, the post notes some 17,000, but I believe this is a typo. This malware uses SMS (text messaging) or another means called WAP (a wireless form of mobile payment) to pay for things via the phone user's account. For additional information and a short list of some infected apps click [here]. My advice would be at the very least install some form of anti-virus on your phone. Most popular anti-virus vendors offer a mobile version of their software (click [here] for a list). Some vendors even have a free version you can use. My phone came with a service called "Lookout" which seems to have done well by me for some time. You can also check out other anti-virus such as Avast or AVG. You can usually download a free version of these for your phone from the Play store (Yes, I see the irony).
"Snake" ransomeware finding it's way to Windows PCs.
Snake ransomeware made the news (and it's way to PCs) this week. Noted for maliciously encrypting files, including online backups, Sophos.com had some suggestions for avoiding infections of this virus, including the all-too-popular "DON'T OPEN UNKNOWN EMAIL ATTACHMENTS!!". Although their article [here] is ridiculously wordy for the average laymen, the bottom of the article offers good advice to avoid infection. And, as usual, make certain you have good anti-virus installed on your computer.
And last, but not least, a common web encryption algorithm has been hacked.
For users of PGP (Pretty Good Privacy), an encryption scheme used for email privacy, some bad news abounds. The "SHA1" algorithm used to encrypt these emails as well as other services has been found to have an weakness that allows hackers to access secure information. From what I've read it doesn't seem like there is a way to repair this algorithm. As such some software services using the SHA1 algorithm may have to abandon it entirely. The researchers who discovered the flaw have been quietly contacting the developers of services that use SHA1 to inform them of the issue. In the meantime I don't imagine I'll be encrypting any emails with PGP and I'll also be on the lookout for any other programs or services that utilize SHA1 encryption. For more information check out the article on ArsTechnica [here].
I'm sorry I can't offer better news at the start of the new year. I can offer some decent tips for using and managing your computer. Check out my short video on Windows Desktop Organization. For more videos and tutorials check out The Nerd Cave Video Channel.
Also, if you need computer service feel free to call. Aside from repair and web development, I offer basic maintenance services which include:
- Checking for slow start-up programs.
- Removing unwanted background programs that could be slowing down your computer.
- Virus and malware scanning.
- Making sure effective Anti-Virus software is installed and working.
- Scanning for a corrupt file system that could lead to damaged or missing files in the future.
- Checking for possible hardware upgrades that could improve PC performance.
Take Care,
Jeffrey Cobb (Owner/Operator)
(747) 248-7790
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