Tag Archive for: Careful

Why I’ve switched from Android to iOS: A story of possible malware and why you can never be too careful

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Why I’ve switched from Android to iOS: A story of possible malware and why you can never be too careful

The price of freedom is (personal) vigilance. Image credit: Pexels/Towfiqu barbhuiya.

Editor’s note: This is a personal anecdote shared by a long-time HWZ writer and is not representative of the security postures afforded on any operating system. The writer has been a phone reviewer since the 2000s and has freelanced with HWZ since.

An unwilling switch from Android to iOS

I’ve been writing for HardwareZone for a while. I continued freelancing whenever I could, after moving on from my role to another career path back in the noughties. Those who know me and are reading this will say that I’ve been among the most ardent defenders of Android since I first laid hands on the HTC G1 Dream in 2008. 

While that early HWZ team was evenly divided between iOS and Android loyalists, I endured a lot of good-natured ribbing as one of Android’s loudest supporters. I would jump in to defend Google’s mobile OS at the slightest hint of debate. 

It helped that my colleagues were largely Android users in the roles I moved on to. Some even converted after a bout of “passionate” evangelism on my part.

Unfortunately, I can no longer express that enthusiasm for Android’s open-source ecosystem, as it was also my downfall. It led to a month of panic, frustration, and many missed deadlines.

(Editor’s note: Non-apology apology accepted.)

What prompted the change of heart? It’s probably malware and has been in the news lately.

Malware: never say never

What I never thought would happen to me, happened to me. Image credit: Pexels/Mikhail Nilov.

When I made my first public appearance with an iPhone 15 Pro Max earlier this month, there were exclamations of surprise and satisfaction from friends and family alike:

“You aren’t the real Count! What have they done to him!”

“Finally, you’ve come to your senses! Better late than never…”

Whether I had “come to my senses” is up for debate, but I knew for certain: I no longer felt safe using Android phones after losing hundreds of dollars in online transactions I did not know of, or approve of. 

As you’ve probably heard by now, there has been an exponentially growing number of scammers exploiting Android’s openness to third-party apps and accessibility…

Source…

What the Tech? Malware Can Strike Your WiFi Router If You’re Not Careful

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Posted:

by
Alabama News Network Staff

The home WiFi router is one of those things we don’t think about until it stops working.

It’s responsible for making sure all of those devices in our homes can connect to the internet. You could even argue it’s the single most important device in your home.

The bad guys apparently think so, because they’re making WiFi routers their favorite target.

Cyber Security analysts at Black Lotus Lab discovered malware in routers used in small homes and home offices. Here’s how they say it works:

The malware is deployed, most often, when someone opens an email attachment or visits a rogue website. The malware gains access not just to the computer but to the network’s WiFi router.

If you never changed the default username and password, hackers can easily find the login information online and have access to the router’s administrator settings. Once logged on as an administrator they can upload and download files to any device that’s connected to your WiFi router.

Phones, computers, web cameras, TVs, doorbells, and locks. Everything.

The Black Lotus Lab analysts say so far this malware has primarily stolen personal information, financial information, and secure business info, but add, it’s very sophisticated and there’s no limit to the damage it can do.

How do you know if your router is compromised? If the computer is sluggish, not loading pages or running programs like before. Of you get unusual pop-ups on the screen or get taken to strange or spoofed websites.

To protect your router and everything connected to it, turn the router off, wait about 20 seconds and turn it on again. This will reset the router and install any updates, this will delete the malware from running on the WiFi network. Change the username and password in the router’s settings.

If your router is 5 years old or older and it hasn’t been updated, you’ll want to re-set the router soon. You may also want to get a new WiFi router. They’re much faster and more secure than they were 5 years ago.

 

Source…

If you’re taking advantage of Prime Day, be careful you’re not being taken advantage of

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This year’s Amazon Prime Day – well, two-days – is upon us once again. Peak shopping days like these are seen by many as a chance to grab a bargain on a new gadget, toy or appliance. But if you’re planning on taking advantage of the deals on offer, you should be aware that there are plenty of scammers out there keen to take advantage of you as well.

Research conducted by Bolster Research already highlighted a sharp rise