Blog
Chrome Users With Weak Passwords Will Get Notifications Soon
Is Google Chrome your browser of choice? If it is, then you’ve probably noticed some changes recently, with the browser offering to check the status of your saved passwords to see if they’ve been compromised. Google has made some excellent moves in recent months designed to bolster the security of everyone who uses their products, […]
Extension Granted For Windows 7 Support For Six Months
Microsoft has had a firm date to end support for Windows 7 on the books for over a year. They’ve insisted repeatedly that there was no flexibility in the date, so Windows 7 users would need to upgrade or risk not being protected by security patches. Then the pandemic hit, and after wrestling with the […]
Watch Out for Egregor Ransomware Now Hitting The Scene
A new ransomware strain burst onto the scene in September of this year (2020). Dubbed ‘Egregor’ by the research team at Digital Shadows who discovered it, it has already claimed more than seventy victims in nineteen countries around the world. Worse, the hackers controlling it appear to just be getting started. The malware is expertly […]
New Phone Malware Signs You Up For Expensive Subscriptions
Researchers at Check Point have recently discovered a new malware threat that targets mobile device users. Dubbed WAPDropper, this is a multi-function bit of code that’s capable of being outfitted with a variety of payloads. At present, the hackers controlling WAPDropper have seen fit to include a premium dialer module, which gives the code the […]
Some Spotify Users Reporting Possible Hacking Of Their Account
Are you a Spotify user? If so, you’ve got plenty of company. It’s one of the shining success stories on the web, and has grown to become one of the most popular music streaming services available. Unfortunately, that also makes it a target, and recently, researchers at VPNMentor discovered a database of more than 300,000 […]
The 2014 Home Depot Data Breach Finally Reaches Settlement
Unless you’re a regular Home Depot shopper, you may have missed the fact that back in 2014, the company was the victim of a successful hacking attack that saw malware installed on the company’s POS (Point of Sale) system. The attack allowed them to collect more than 40 million records belonging to customers in both […]
New Scam Lures Victims With Promise Of Federal Assistance
If you’re a US citizen, scammers have found a new way to make money at your expense, using the global pandemic as a ‘hook.’ Since the start of the pandemic, there have been a number of campaigns designed and run by scammers to spread misinformation, steal vaccine research, and scam people out of money. The latest […]
Hackers Using Minecraft Modpacks To Distribute Malware On Android Devices
If you’re an avid gamer, you’re almost certainly at least passingly familiar with Minecraft, and you may be an active player. Despite its blocky, simplistic graphics, it’s the most popular game of all time. It is very prevalent on the internet. If you play on an Android device, be aware that hackers are now exploiting […]
Transparency Coming To Chrome Extension Data Collection
If you employ a number of Chrome web extensions to enhance your browsing experience, be aware that change is afoot. Google recently announced that as of early next year, the company is adding a “Privacy Practices” section on each extension’s listing on the Web Store, which will outline exactly what data they will collect from […]
People Are Paying Ransomware Attackers In Large Numbers In 2020
Hackers have increasingly gravitated to ransomware attacks in 2020, as being one of the best and most reliable paths to a payday. That brings to mind an interesting question though. Naturally, the viability of this type of attack comes down to what percentage of victims are willing to actually pay the ransom, and what is […]
A Visionary Approach to Your Security
The purpose of an IT partner isn’t just to fix something when it is broken, it is to keep your people working and your data secure. Astral moves beyond traditional managed services by addressing all the key areas of cybersecurity in today’s complex landscape.
