Archive for the ‘Privacy’ Category
Friday, August 20th, 2010
Recently, a researcher demonstrated how he could impersonate a GSM cell tower at the Def Con Convention in Las Vegas. Chris Paget, a security professional created a device which impersonates GSM cell phone towers for about $1,500.00. Note: cell phone snooping is illegal and Chris took many precautions not to break the law.
The device impersonates AT&T cell phone towers, making Android and iPhones think they are connecting to a legitimate phone tower. The system can be configured enabling the call to be listened to. The device could also be configured to intercept calls.
As Verizon Wireless and Sprint use CDMA technology, their systems would not be affected by this vulnerability. While the hack will not work with 3G, it is possible to knock the 3G offline and then the hacking device would take over. The cost to build the equipment to knock 3G offline would be less than $1,000.00.
Even if a phone has the voice mode set for encryption, the hacking device could just turn it off. And depending on the phone, there may be no notice that encryption has been disabled.
Information provided by: HITman Services, a computer and IT services company located in Clifton Park, New York.
Tags: 3G, AT&T, cellphones, Clifton Park, Clifton Park computer repair, Clifton Park New York, GSM, iPhone, Las Vegas Nevada, mobile phone, Science and Technology, Verizon
Posted in Privacy, Security, Smartphones, cell phone | No Comments »
Monday, August 9th, 2010
How many people download software such as tip calculators? How many of these people are aware that simply by downloading that program, they may have been compromised?
With the proliferation of texting as a primary method of communication, software writers have developed programs which can look like harmless games or utilities such as tip calculators, yet are devious. Once loaded, these programs send out copies of all SMS text messages to another person.
Many are offered as a means to track a spouse or significant other who may not be faithful. Some are promoted to track what children are doing. One partner or the other involved in a divorce could load the software on their unsuspecting soon-to-be ex-partner.
One of the safest preventative measures is to create a password and always keep your phone locked when it is not in your possession. While some may see this as an inconvenience, what would the cost be if the wrong person or people had access to your personal information?
Tags: Business and Economy, Mobile, Mobile Computing, Network Specific, Short Messaging Service, SMS, Telecommunications, Wireless Data
Posted in BlackBerry, Life Management, Privacy, Smartphones, Software, cell phone, email | No Comments »
Monday, July 12th, 2010
Part of Google’s data collection for its Street View product also collected SSID’s (which is the name people give their wireless home network routers). This news is not new.
Consumer Watchdog, which is a Santa Monica, California based advocacy group, hired a company to check the network traffic of Congress members whose homes were on Google’s Street View maps.
According to Consumer Watchdog, the tests revealed that Representative Jane Harman, a Democrat from California and House Intelligent Subcommittee of Homeland Security Committee and a former member of the Intelligence committee had at least one wire less network in her Washington, D.C. residence which may have been breached by Google.
Congresswoman Harman was not alone, as there were four other members of Congress who may have had vulnerable wireless networks.
To even think that anyone related to the security of our country is allowed to have a wireless network in their home or office goes beyond stupidity.
Tags: Congresswoman Jane Harman
Posted in Privacy, Security, Technology | No Comments »
Wednesday, May 19th, 2010
Many times when in businesses, I am asked for personal information. Usually I do not provide it and if required to do so, I voice my concerns. The person asking me for the information may think I am paranoid or difficult, but I am simply practicing what I preach.
How many businesses really take proactive steps to ensure they are protecting their customer’s data? What are their browsing habits? Do they visit gambling or pornography sites? Is their anti-virus software up-to-date? Do they have a firewall? I could go on and on, but you get my drift.
It is our responsibility to keep our personal data secure. Just because someone asks for information doesn’t mean you have to give it to them.
Tags: AntiVirus, Data, Detection and Removal Tools, Firewall, Malicious Software, Pornography, Security, Viruses
Posted in Life Management, Privacy | No Comments »
Tuesday, May 18th, 2010
Thinking about how people use their smartphones and the associated applications led me to thinking if we are giving away much of our freedom and anonymity which we will be sorry for later. According to JWire, 76% of smartphone users prefer free apps with location based ads rather than paying for apps.
While location based services can certainly be very helpful, is it really good to have many people know where you are at every given moment?
Could hackers exploit these apps and gain knowledge of our daily habits?
While it may be too soon to know all the implications with which new technologies bring with them, it might be wise to err on the side of caution.
Tags: Android, BlackBerry, Business, Handhelds, iPhone, Location and Tracking, Location-based service, Smartphone, Technology, Telecommunications, Windows Mobile
Posted in Life Management, Privacy | No Comments »
Wednesday, April 28th, 2010
The firewall and security tools provided in the Microsoft Operating System are all the maintenance and protection I need.
Again, this is a terrible misconception. Microsoft does NOT include ALL of the security features to protect your data from viruses, hackers, and data loss or prevent your PC from running slowly.
As a matter of fact, there is no one single vendor that provides ALL of the system security features you need to keep your computer and files safe from harm.
Security and protection from these malicious attacks takes a multi-faceted, layered approach.
Tags: Business, Consultants, Data, Data loss, Firewall, Microsoft, Personal computer, Security, Virus
Posted in Privacy, Security | 1 Comment »
Tuesday, April 13th, 2010
If my computer is working fine right now, I don’t need to perform maintenance on it.
This is probably one of the biggest and most deadly misconceptions that most computer users fall victim to. Computers are just like cars. If you don’t change the oil, change the filter, rotate the tires, flush the transmission, and perform other regular maintenance on your car, it will eventually break down and cost you FAR MORE to repair than the cost of the basic maintenance.
There are certain maintenance checks that need to be done daily (like virus updates and spam filtering), weekly (like system backups and a spyware sweep), and monthly or quarterly like checking for and installing security patches and updates, disk defrag, spyware detection and removal, checking the surge suppressor and the integrity of the hard drive, and so on.
Your computer repair technician should be adamant that you have regular maintenance done on your computer and should offer to set up automatic virus definition updates, spam filtering (to avoid viruses), and automatic system backups that are stored on an OFF SITE location (this protects the backup from fire, flood, or other natural disasters).
Lack of system maintenance is the NUMBER ONE reason most people end up losing valuable files and incurring heavy computer repair bills.
Tags: Backup, Computer virus, E-mail filtering, Malicious Software, Security, spyware, Spyware and Adware, User
Posted in Privacy, Security | No Comments »
Monday, April 5th, 2010
It is my computer’s fault that I continue to get attacked by spyware, malware, and viruses.
In all cases, malware, spyware, and viruses are a result of some action taken by the user (you or a family member that uses your computer). Remember, cyber criminals are incredibly clever and gain access to your computer via some of the most innocent and common activities you are performing; that is why it SEEMS as though it is your computer’s fault.
For example, many of the clients we see simply downloaded an emoticon software program. Emoticons are the smiley faces and action characters that you see at the bottom of many people’s e-mails. In doing so they also (unknowingly) downloaded a payload of spyware and malware and before they knew it, could no longer use their computer due to the instability and pop-ups.
Other deadly programs to avoid are free “enhanced” web browsers, screen savers, and just about any “cute” programs you come across that are free to download. Always read the terms and conditions before downloading ANY program to look for clauses that allow them (the software vendor) to install spyware programs on your computer.
Installing programs is not the only way a hacker or malware program can access your computer. If you do not have the most up-to-date security patches and virus definitions installed on your computer, hackers can access your PC through a banner ad on the web that you accidentally clicked on or through an e-mail attachment that you opened.
Just recently, hackers have even been able to figure out ways to install malicious programs on your computer via your Internet Explorer web browser EVEN IF YOU DIDN’T CLICK ON ANYTHING OR DOWNLOAD A PROGRAM. Microsoft is constantly providing patches to their operating system software and all it takes is one missed update to leave you completely vulnerable.
Finally, you should COMPLETELY AVOID any and all peer to peer file sharing networks such as KaZaa and filezilla. These sites are the absolute WORST online activities you can participate in for your computer’s health because they are pure breeding grounds for hackers, spyware, malware, and other malicious attacks.
Tags: AntiVirus, File sharing, Internet Explorer, Kazaa, Malicious Software, malware, Microsoft, Security, spyware, Virus
Posted in Privacy, Security, Software | No Comments »
Tuesday, March 30th, 2010
The latest scam to hit is one which is especially devious as it instills fear in most Americans.
The email states in the subject line something to the effect of “Under Reported Income Notice”.
Once opened, it starts its insidious work by downloading software to seal sensitive data such as bank information.
In the event the link in the email was clicked, unplug the computer from the Internet and contact a professional to help resolve the issue.
Tags: Fraud, IRS email, IRS email fraud, IRS email scam, IRS email spam, Scam, Spam, Virus
Posted in Privacy, Security, Technology | No Comments »
Monday, March 29th, 2010
Part of my job at HITman Services is researching software at our Clifton Park office.
Over the weekend I was trying out some new BlackBerry apps. One which I thought was very interesting was Visible Vote. I signed up for an account and started using the application.
Shortly thereafter I received an email from the company with my user name and password in the email. I was under the impression that the practice of sending passwords in emails ended years ago, but obviously I was wrong.
When I sign up with companies I am not familiar with or whose security procedures I am unsure of, I use a throw-away password. Which in this case turned out to be the right thing to do.
I sent the company an email regarding their antiquated security methods, and have yet to hear back.
Tags: BlackBerry, Clifton Park computer repair, E-mail address, HITman Services, Password, Security, Shareware, User
Posted in BlackBerry, Business, Privacy, Security, Smartphones, Software, Technology, email | No Comments »
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