Now we know who hacked Yahoo in 2014. The hackers compromised over 500 million emails. It’s the biggest cyber attack in IT service history. ?So the company has never been the same. But it isn’t a stoner geek living in mom’s basement. Consequently, it has international ties. Yahoo breach: From Russia, without love.
The US Justice Department charged two Russian intelligence agents with the cyber attack. They also charged one Canadian. The Russian suspects are?Dmitry Dokuchaev and Igor Sushchin. The Canadian suspect is?Karim Baratov. The two Russian defendants also paid off two others to get personal information. That’s why they hacked in the Yahoo accounts. They especially targeted journalists and judges. The third paid defendant,?Alexsey Belan, has a history of cyber crime. In fact, he’s on the FBI’s ‘Cyber Most Wanted’ list.
But wait. There’s more. We hear nothing from?the Russian embassy in the US. We also hear nothing Moscow. Yahoo councilman Chris Masden issued a statement about the Yahoo breach. Masden believes the Russian government sponsored the cyber attacks. The Yahoo hack is allegedly the largest in history. In fact, Yahoo leaders couldn’t even grasp how big the attack was. Attorney General Jess Sessions himself made the announcement. The Yahoo breach even hit their deal with Verizon. It drove the price down by $350 million.
So I will say this. Nothing about cyber crime surprises me anymore. ?For instance, it wouldn’t surprise me if this cyber attack reaches all the way to the Kremlin. In fact, it looks like the indicted men are just fall guys for a bigger cover-up. Don’t get me wrong. I’m happy for these arrests. Often time, cyber criminals don’t even get caught. So they just keep on and on. But here is what worries me. If the Russian government is behind this, then they can just replace these for suspects like that. And many cyber crooks would be eager to take their place. That’s the real fear. So what can the good guys do about that?
Over the years, Apple users believed they were malware free. Then I come to our Boston computer service shop. They say, “I have a Mac. I have Apple. It can’t happen to me.” But I’m here to tell you it can. Mac malware: Don’t let it happen to you.
In fact, the latest MacOS is just as venerable to malware as Windows 10. More people just use Windows 10. So more hackers can create more malware, because more people will be susceptible. Hence, when a threat breaks out, more people know about it. But Apple isn’t off the hook. In fact, Mac malware threats are more common than you think. But what can be done to protect your MacOS?
First of all, run the latest software. Use the latest system update that you can. Because malware loves outdated systems. Furthermore, turn on firewall. It secures the right network traffic and protects you from the wrong traffic. ?Set up VileFault’s full desk. It gives you even more protection. Furthermore, get some anti-virus security. This should go without saying. Avast! offers free anti-virus and anti-malware security for Macs. It also protects from email schemes and phishing. But Avast! isn’t the only one. Malwarebytes’ offer good protection from Mac malware. So does Sophos Antivirus Mac and a few others.
So what am I saying? I’m saying malware attacks can happen to Macs as much as they can PC’s. It can happen to Apple devices just like it can happen to Androids, Samsungs, and Windows. I also say there are no excuses. It’s a lot cheaper and easier, to take these steps then to call for computer repair after the fact. Look, nothing is 100% guaranteed. But it’s a lot better to have some protection than take you chances with none at all. Consider this an advisory. Will you take heed?
Do I have any inventors in the house? If you’re a history buff like me, you know necessity is the mother of invention. This includes the IT service business. ?However, one Israel father took the prize, especially with cyber security. So this is The Dojo: innovation from necessity.
So Yossi Atlas sees a Band-Aid on his daughter’s laptop [our Boston site is wonderful at getting laptops fixed]. She put the Band-Aid on because she fears someone is spying on her. Then he noticed she had the Band-Aid on the camera. That’s what did it for this dad. Now, Atlas works to protect his daughter.
He invented The Dojo. That’s a device protecting electronics from spying and surveillance. Then, he founded Dojo Labs in 2015. Atlas’ invention came at the perfect time. Because by 2021, the number of smartphones, smart TVs, laptops, tables, and other devices will double from what they are now. Just connect the Dojo to your WiFi router. It filters traffic and stops spying software, like a goalie blocking the opponent’s shot. They expect to release it to the US in March 2017. It may be already here. Furthermore, it will cost you $199 the first year, and $99 for ever additional year.
Not only could The Dojo protect his daughter, it could protect us all. This week, we learned our Samsung TV’s are spying on us. I often report on cyber crimes like sextortion. Think of how many times hackers compromised major stores chains and even health care companies. Furthermore, this affects tens of millions of people. Also, in October 2016, web traffic firm Dyan suffered a cyber attack. This attack nearly brought the US East Coast’s web infrastructure to it’s knees. Thankfully, it only remained down a few hours. But what if somebody brings the web down and it stays down for months? It sounds sensational and apocalyptic, but cyber security experts say it’s very possible and plausible. ?Then you have governments like Russia, Iran and North Korea. They can use cyber warfare to shut ours website down. We’re in a dangerous world. Shouldn’t we protect ourselves? Will The Dojo help?
Some time ago, I wrote an article about how Samsung TV spies on it’s users. But apparently, I was just scratching the surface. According to WkiLeaks documents, the CIA (Central Intelligence Agency) can turn most electronics into spying devices. Hence, the CIA listens: big brother era arrives!
So, these phones and other devices have microphones. WikiLeaks reports the CIA exploits these microphones. Also, they seem to have documents to prove it. But wait. There’s more. There’s a program the CIA calls ‘Weeping Angel’. Their hackers get access to Samsung TVs. Furthermore, while the TV is off, the microphone remains on. But that’s not all.
Wikileaks obtained over 8,000 documents. None paint the CIA in a good light. In fact, documents show this kind of hacking done to iPhones, Androids and Windows Phones. Nobody ever reports these cyber attacks to parent companies, like Apple, Google, or Microsoft. And let’s call them what they are: cyber attacks. They’re not even trying to hide it anymore. In fact, one article from The Guardian gave a disturbing report. They said one intelligence leader bragged how it was spies’ priority to breach smart devices. He said they’ll use the ‘internet of things’ for monitoring and surveillance. When they said the ‘internet of things’, that means all things internet, from desktops to smartphones.
Yesterday, I had an interesting conversation with a tech at our Boston computer service shop. He won’t even buy a Google Home system. There is a story out that they can record everything in your home, and take it over, too. When I read this article, his concerns, and the story, ate not that far-fetched. Maybe this is what Edward Snowden has been warning about for years. Remember that song by Rockwell, called “Somebody’s Watching Me” back in the 1980s? It’s almost like he predicted the future. Because in 2017, they are watching, and they’re using our technology to do it. And what can we do about it?
So do you remember that one movie? The one where your TV spied on you and shared your conversations with the government and others? But wait: This is really happening to Samsung TV owners! So here’s a warning to Samsung TV owners: don’t talk too loud!
In fact, Samsung itself confirms it and issues the warning. They actually told customers their smart TV can pick up on every word they say. Therefore, they warn Samsung TV owners not to talk about personal or incriminating things. ?Their own TV’s voice activation feature can share the information with Samsung, the government, your employer, your family/friends, your church, your kids’ schools, anybody!
Samsung even talked about how the voice activation feature works. The Samsung TV owner uses this feature. Then the feature gives voice data to a third party. Again, keep in mind that third party could be anything or anyone. This happens after somebody activates a certain command. However, you can disable voice recognition. Just do so on the settings menu. Also, you can disconnect your Samsung TV from WiFi. Yes, you’ll be watching TV 1990s style. But to me, it’s worth it to keep your privacy and sanity in tact. A Samsung spokesperson insists they take privacy very seriously. The jury is still out on that one.
This is the third severe foul up Samsung had in six months. In September-October, Samsung’s Galaxy Note 7 phones exploded on customers, literally. It was so bad us in Boston can’t fix it with our screen replacement. Then, their washing machines literally blew up on customers. These two mishaps costs Samsung billions of dollars. And now this. This is the last thing Samsung needs right now! And wait until privacy rights activists get a hold of this. Don’t you think they’re going to raise cain over your TV spying on you? How much can one corporation take?
You think it’s tense here in the USA? But try living in some African nations. The mass protests and turmoil are so big government leaders are shutting down the Internet. African online censorship: It’s widespread and common.
So in Cameroon, leaders turned off the Internet lights. They say it’s because of security measures. But this African online censorship has deeper meaning. Businesses can’t function without online service. International money can’t come in. In fact, it’s difficult for Cameroon people to contact relatives outside the country, without the Internet. In Gambia, they cut off international cell phone use. They also cut off the Internet. They did this under their president, Yahya Jammeh’s, strict orders. Also, keep in mind Jammah has a notorious reputation for human rights abuse.
In Congo, they blocked the Internet. Furthermore, they cut off all TV stations. ?They even shut down the major airports. There was an election that night. The Congo officials said they feared violence and riots. But reports say it was officials bombing their opponents. In Ethiopia, they shut down social media sites because of growing protests. And in Zimbabwe, after a few protests, they raised the prices on cellphones. I could go on and on.
But what does online African censorship have to do with us in Boston’s computer repair industry? In fact, what does it have to do with IT service at all? For years, we heard of Turkey and China using such tactics. But this is the United States of America. That can’t happen here, can it? I hope not. That’s one reason why I report these things. So we can be educated and make sure this kind of censorship does not come to America! You know, Edward Snowden addressed the issue. He took to Twitter stating, “This is the future of repression.” He’s right. But I’ll go further than that. I’ll say what Dr. Martin Luther King said: Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. Shouldn’t this concern us?
