When 2017, cyber security experts warned of a spike in malware attacks. Consequently, they were right. Because this month, they found malware ‘BankBot. They found it in two Google Play Store apps: Happy Times Video and Funny Videos 2017. This is the BankBot Bug: consumer malware alert.
So here is what is scary about the BankBot bug. It looks very legit. It could even look like something from your bank or credit card company. That’s how they lure you in. But when they do, they take over your financial information. Therefore, the hackers either keep it, or sell it on the black market for chump change. Some security experts say the BankBot bug crept it’s way to around 400 apps.
Meanwhile, other security experts say hackers find a way around the Google security scanners. Also, in one day, the Happy Times Video app had as many as 5,000 downloads. That’s a lot of malware to activate in just one day. Thankfully, Google removed Happy Times Video, Funny Videos, and other culprit apps causing BankBot. Furthermore, this malware shows a fake login window. They get the consumer to log in imitated banking services. Then, once they get their banking information, there’s no turning back. It can also steal info from your other legit apps, like Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat and Instagram.
We are a computer repair firm that believes in keeping our readers informed. Yes, that goes for tech trends. But that also goes for tech dangers and threats. So what do we do? First of all, stay informed. There are many, many cyber security websites that do a great job informing us about such threats. If an app looks to fishy or too good to be true, leave it alone. But what if they already hacked you? Get if fixed immediately. Here at Computer Geeks, we specialize in virus removal and laptops fixed. What are some tips you have to avoid the BankBot Bug?
I just had quite the conversation with our computer repair man. It seems that over the last several weeks, Apple machines are getting constant cyber attacks! Attention: Constant Apple hacks are out there! So don’t be naive.
According to my computer service source, constant Apple hacks include just about every kind of computer illness. So this includes spyware, malware, adware, viruses, worms, trojan horses. You name it, he’s had to fix it. But that’s not all. I’m hearing some cases of ID theft, as well as break into people’s passwords and accounts. I can’t stress it enough. The constant Apple hacks’ struggle is very real.
Furthermore, let’s not be naive. I hear Apple users brag about how their machines are hack proof. Not really. Last year, somebody hacked Apple stores in China. Also, in September 2015, 85 iPhone apps got infected with malware. But nobody remembers that one, though. However, I’m sure everyone remembers the big celebrity hacking of September 2014.?A hacker leaked many, many nude photos of celebrities like movie star Jennifer Lawrence. Yes, the culprit behind the hack got 10 years in prison. But keep in mind the hacker broke into an iCloud. Once again I say, don’t be naive.
It’s easy for Apple users to point to Droid users. And they say, “Why would you get a Droid for? Those things are so prone to trouble.” And there is some truth to that. Droids were the subject of ?some bad cyber attacks. But Apple is the subject of constant Apple hacks. This is why you need to get software security. You can start with Avast. It’s easy, free and it works. Of course, you can always pay a little for even extra security. And there are other security software companies that are just as good. Just don’t let your Apple device go without protection. What else can you do to keep your i-device free of constant Apple hacks?
I read an article this kinda disturbed me. They asked the question; Warning: Is antivirus software worth having anymore? But this debate didn’t start yesterday. In fact, the debate is several years old.
They invented the first antivirus software in 1987. Also, the same development team came up with a virus authorizing kit. Ah, the irony. While the antivirus technology gets better over the years, so does the hackers’. There’s another complaint: antivirus software’s basic approach remains the same. This remains true after nearly 30 years. First, it studies data. Then, it catches a malicious file. Afterwards, that antivirus puts down the file. Then, the antivirus puts the data on a ‘blacklist’. This prevents future attacks.
For many years, this worked. But in the last several years, some things happened. The first was stronger malware. Such viruses can take over a system before the antivirus can even catch it. Furthermore, the malware authors got smarter. They even use fake antivirus programs to counteract the real thing. That’s how they evade these programs. Much of this malware is in kit form. When it comes in gangs, that makes it more dangerous. Then there is ransomware. That’s when they hold a computer hostage until the ransomware author gets what they want.
Yes, these are problems. But this is no reason to just say the antivirus is dead. This is no excuse not to get antivirus protection, either. It’s better to have some protection than none at all. Despite the grim report, antivirus can and often does works. It saved more systems than I can count. Just ask some of our technicians and our customers. So get antivirus protection! As far as the problems are concerned, what we need to do is build better antivirus software. The bad guys have techies working hard on their side. We need to work even harder. What can we do to make antivirus protection even stronger?
This is a consumer alert. Malware compromises Google/Android accounts! They call the malware ‘Gooligan’. But Gooligan breached around a million Google accounts. Also, the attacks started in August 2016.
As a result, the malware infects these systems. Then, they steal from systems. Systems include Google Docs, Gmail, Google Photos, Google Play, and a handful of others. This is especially relevant because so many people have Google accounts. Furthermore, so many have Android devices. I have one. And so many use these systems. The hackers make money by putting apps on infected phones. The malware takes over after a user unknowingly downloads a Gooligan infected app on a 3rd party app store. Then the malware app takes hold. It sends data to the malware’s server. Consequently, hackers get control of your device.
This mobile attack concerns many cyber security experts. Many say hackers are targeting mobile devices now. Hence, the fact that hackers hit one million Droids concern them. It should concern us too. But for American Android users, there is some good news. Of all the Google systems infected, over half of them come from Asia, about 57%. Another 15% come from Africa, and another 9% come from Europe. The remaining 19% of infected systems come from the Americas. They didn’t specify any nation; they just broke it down by continents.
So I guess we could say statistically, American Droid users might have dodged a bullet. They hacked a million phones. So according to these stats, about 190,000 hacked systems were in North or South America. What I’m trying to say is: this malware attack could have been much worse. I know; I covered?them. But let’s learn a lesson here. Get anti-virus and anti-malware protection for your smartphone! Get it now! It’s just as important as anti-virus on your desktop. Come to think of it, with all we do on our cellphones today, maybe even more so. Don’t think are protection these hackers are going to stop with a million phones. They’ll go on and on. What are you doing to keep your smartphone safe?
Summer is literally just a few weeks away. Many of us are toiling, sweating and sacrificing to get that beach body or get into that dream swimsuit. Your fellow beach companions aren’t the only ones watching. Hackers and cyber criminals are, too.
According to Intel security, 88% of people have clicked on pro-diet or pro-weight loss diet pop-up ads, even though many know what pop-up ads can lead to. ?Of the 15,000 people, nearly a third have purchased a diet product from a pop-up without even researching the business or product. They knew the purchase could even cause malware. And clicking these ads can cause vicious malware. And purchasing from such ads could lead to far worse consequences: id theft, fraud, online robbery. The same way professional con artists on the street are upping the ante, so are cyber con artists. Criminals know what season it is. They know dieting is almost a $65 billion a year industry. They know everyone wants to look good for summer. They know what season it is too. In much of the country, May is when people get summer minded. Weather gets warmer. Bathing suits are on store shelves. Criminals take advantage of this.
I am not here to play ‘blame the victim’. Those who are behind this needs to be caught and brought to justice. Those who are using this to phish and steal need harsh criminal and civil penalties brought against them. But we need to be more vigilant. If a weight loss pop-up ad comes your way, don’t purchase what they’re selling. Don’t even click on it! Hit the ‘x’ off button immediately. If you’re into weight loss products, they’re plenty of respectable companies either online or in person that have products that truly work. Or you can just do what I do: Be satisfied in the skin you’re in. That concept isn’t that radical, is it?
Over the last many weeks, we’ve read about Apple’s case against the US government. Some say the FBI is just keeping us safe. Others argue our civil liberties and privacy rights are being violated. It seems that Apple isn’t the only ones fighting the fight against alleged government misbehavior.
Google’s Gmail will let you know when you’re being target and when you’re about to open a suspicious email link. They’ve always warned you when a linked was clicked. Now, a warning will show up between the link is clicked and when the link is actually downloaded. Right before the link is opened, Gmail will give you one last chance to ignore the page. Google wants to stop it’s customers from wandering onto malicious sites, and give them every opportunity to keep from wandering before it’s too late. This warning includes government associated hackers and cyber attacks. Google admits the probability of someone getting this last warning is 0.1%. But if you’re a known journalist, activist, or blogger who is critical of the US government and foreign governments , that number will surely increase. Gmail has been stepping it’s security up lately. They’re going to start warning email senders who send emails using TLS encryption.
Gmail’s security over government hacking isn’t the only issue. We all know stories by now about people hacking for financial reasons, as well as for sexually perverted reasons. But for the last three years, there’s been a growing concern of cyber attacks by rival governments overseas, as international tensions continue to escalate. ?There’s also concerned about our own government spying on us and doing online misbehavior to it’s own citizens. This is especially true if for someone who is criticizing the government. A lot of people are doing so. Just look at social media. Something tells me that 0.1% is going to increase and increase in a hurry. Is Google Gmail doing the right thing here?
