Tag

Antivirus

All articles tagged with #antivirus

cybersecurity1 year ago

Hackers Exploit Corrupted Files to Bypass Antivirus Protections

Cybersecurity researchers have identified a phishing campaign that uses corrupted Microsoft Office documents and ZIP archives to bypass email defenses and antivirus software. These corrupted files evade detection by exploiting built-in recovery mechanisms in programs like Word and Outlook, allowing malicious emails to reach users' inboxes. The attack, active since at least August 2024, aims to trick users into opening these files, which contain QR codes leading to malware or credential theft sites. This highlights the ongoing evolution of phishing tactics to circumvent security measures.

technology1 year ago

Why You Should Ditch Third-Party Antivirus Software

The U.S. Department of Commerce has banned Kaspersky software, preventing it from providing updates to U.S. customers. Despite the prevalence of third-party antivirus software, built-in protections like Microsoft Defender are now highly effective, making additional paid antivirus programs largely unnecessary. Older Americans are more likely to pay for these services out of habit, but modern default protections are sufficient for most users.

technology1 year ago

"Top Antivirus Picks for 2024: Expert Recommendations and Deals"

Bitdefender and Norton are top-rated antivirus software options, both offering strong malware protection, various features, and competitive pricing. Bitdefender excels in offline detection and offers robust malware protection, while Norton provides extensive features like cloud backup and identity theft protection. Pricing varies, with both offering promotions for the first year but higher renewal costs. Both have responsive customer support and are suitable for protecting multiple devices across different platforms.

technology2 years ago

Avira Antivirus Update Freezes Windows PCs on Startup

Windows users have reported system freezes shortly after booting, which have been linked to a faulty update for Avira's security software. Affected computers become unresponsive approximately 20 seconds after Avira launches, with the only solution being to uninstall Avira's software while booting into safe mode. Avira has acknowledged the issue and is currently investigating it, with a fix expected to be automatically deployed through an update.

technology2 years ago

Avira Antivirus Freezes Windows PCs at Startup, Fix Underway

Users have reported that a recent update to Avira antivirus is causing Windows systems to freeze at startup, with 100% CPU and RAM usage. The issue is affecting both Windows 10 and Windows 11, and appears to be related to Avira's application loading process. Some users have been able to resolve the problem by uninstalling Avira. Microsoft Defender can provide malware protection as an alternative. Avira has not yet addressed the issue, but it was ranked among the best performers in the latest malware protection ranking.

technology2 years ago

"Revolutionize Your Vacation with These Tech Tips"

Planning a vacation? Don't forget to take these 10 tech steps to ensure a stress-free trip. Back up your data, update your devices, set up automatic payments, turn off unnecessary devices, connect your smart devices, set up security features on your devices, have your mail held, set up a VPN, pack a portable charger, and turn on antivirus protection. These precautions will keep your devices safe and secure while you enjoy your vacation.

technology2 years ago

"Apple's Rapid Security Response update: A crucial step in protecting your iPhone and data."

Apple has announced its first-ever Rapid Security Response update, which provides quick security and bug fixes to iOS 16.4.1 and macOS 13.3.1 users without requiring a full software update. The update will be applied automatically to all Apple users with devices running the latest version of iOS, iPad, or macOS. The Rapid Security Response is meant to deliver important security improvements between software updates and mitigate security issues more quickly. While having antivirus software installed on devices is still recommended, the Rapid Security Response update can help with recent malware attacks on Apple devices.

technology2 years ago

Securing Your Printer from Cyber Attacks

Hackers can gain access to your printer and retrieve sensitive information, conduct ransomware attacks, and send threatening messages. Printers can get viruses through infected software, printouts, or USB drives. Signs of a hacked printer include unprompted printing of blank pages or random characters, documents being printed that you did not initiate, and changes in printer settings. To protect your printer, update software, change default passwords, secure your WiFi, disable unused features, install antivirus software and a firewall, and connect your router to the modem via an ethernet cable.

cybersecurity2 years ago

Beware of Latest Banking Trojan and Android Malware Threats

A new Android banking trojan named "Chameleon" is capable of changing its app icon and stealing sensitive data, including passwords and text messages. It can disguise itself as any app, including commonly used ones like Chrome and Bitcoin. The trojan can disable Google Play Protect, the Android antivirus app, and is currently spreading through Australia and Poland. To protect yourself, install antivirus software, update passwords, turn on 2-Factor Authentication, and keep software updated.

technology2 years ago

Stay Protected: Microsoft Updates and Cybersecurity Warnings

Microsoft has released security fixes for seven critical vulnerabilities, including a zero-day vulnerability actively exploited by hackers, through its monthly Patch Tuesday. The fixes include 45 remote code execution vulnerabilities, 20 elevation of privilege vulnerabilities, and 10 information disclosure vulnerabilities. Microsoft users are advised to update their software immediately to protect against potential attacks, especially through phishing campaigns. Having antivirus software installed is also recommended for added protection.

cybersecurity2 years ago

Rising Concerns Over Malicious ChatGPT and AI-Generated Malware

A security researcher has created powerful data-mining malware using OpenAI's generative chatbot, ChatGPT, in just a few hours. The malware disguises itself as a screensaver app and steals data from Windows devices, hiding it within images uploaded to a Google Drive folder. The researcher was able to refine and strengthen the code against detection using simple prompts on ChatGPT. This raises concerns about the strength of ChatGPT's protections and the potential for hackers to use it to create malware. It is a reminder to always have good antivirus software running on devices to protect against malware.

technology2 years ago

McAfee and Samsung Extend Partnership for 9 More Years of Mobile Security

Samsung has renewed its partnership with McAfee to provide pre-installed antivirus protection on Galaxy phones, tablets, and laptops for at least nine more years. The McAfee anti-malware solution will continue to keep future Samsung devices protected from threats throughout the remainder of the decade and into 2032. The solution works in the background and scans devices regularly, backed by more than 200 threat researchers and protecting over 600 million devices in 182 countries.

cybersecurity2 years ago

Beware of Malware Scams During Tax Season

A new malware campaign is targeting taxpayers by sending fake emails claiming to be from the IRS with a W-9 form attached. The form may be sent as either a ZIP file containing a Word document or as a OneNote document. If a person downloads this file, malware is installed on their device. Tax forms are almost always sent as PDF files, and this dangerously deceptive one is sent as a Word or OneNote document. To protect yourself, have good antivirus software on all your devices, be careful what emails you open and which links you click, and avoid opening emails from unknown senders and downloading any attachments they may contain.

technology2 years ago

Antivirus Debate: To Use or Not to Use in 2023?

While antivirus providers are trying to sell subscriptions for their wares, macOS is still secure enough for users to resist the products. The best antivirus for Mac is a combination of existing protections and user awareness. Apple includes various mechanisms in macOS that make it difficult for malware to be a problem for the typical user, such as Gatekeeper and System Integrity Protection. However, these protections can only go so far, and user awareness is still the best defense against online hazards.