Blog
Another Intel Processor Vulnerability Found
Intel just can’t seem to catch a break. By now, almost everyone has heard about the dreaded Spectre and Meltdown vulnerabilities which have been plaguing the chip maker since they were first discovered. Now, it seems there’s a new chip-based threat. This latest threat has been dubbed PortSmash by the research team from the Tampere […]
Video Embedding Feature In MS Word Has Security Vulnerability
Researchers have discovered a security flaw in MS Office 2016 and older versions that leave the door open to hackers who can take advantage of it to run malicious code on a target computer. This latest hack exploits a flaw in the software’s online video option, which allows users to embed a YouTube video via […]
Most Apple Devices Are Getting A Major Software Update
If you own Apple devices that use iOS, watchOS, tvOS, or macOS, there’s good news. The company just released major updates for all of those. They’re available right now, and here are a few of the highlights: For iOS 12.1, the big changes are as follows: Group Face Time, with support for audio and video […]
iOS Gmail Users Will Be Able To Access Multiple Accounts
Earlier this year, Google introduced a new and improved Gmail that gave users virtually unlimited customization options. In addition to that, it included some exciting new AI-based features that cut down on repetitive tasks and made email management significantly easier. These advancements are important in this day and age, given the sheer volume of messages […]
Yahoo Is Compensating Victims Of Their Massive Data Breach
Yahoo has the dubious honor of having been on the receiving end of the largest data breach in history. As a consequence, the company has recently agreed to pay $50 million in damages and provide free credit monitoring services to its impacted users. The company actually suffered a pair of breaches in 2013 and in […]
IBM Invests Billions To Purchase Popular Red Hat Linux
IBM has recently announced what is to be the largest open source acquisition in history. They’re buying Red Hat for a staggering $34 billion dollars. This, as the saying goes, changes everything. IBM has lagged behind its competitors for years in the area of cloud computing. When the ink dries on this deal, they’ll move […]
Deleting Your Google Search History Will Soon Be Easier
Google is rolling out some important changes that will make it easier for people who use their services to control their data. They’re starting with their most widely used service, which is search. In the weeks ahead, it will be easier than ever for users to delete their search history, on both PC and Android […]
Google Finally Cracking Down On Manufacturer Device Updates
Security in the Android ecosystem is awful. There’s just no other word to describe it. In large part, the blame for that can be placed at the feet of Google. Although they have succeeded in creating a wildly successful platform, their management of OEM devices (in particular, security updates for them) have been virtually nonexistent. […]
Hackers Now Targeting Girl Scouts, Raising Privacy Concerns
As far as hackers are concerned, no target is safe. Not even the Girl Scouts. Recently, one of the Girl Scouts’ official email accounts was accessed by an “unauthorized third party” and as a result, as many as 2,800 girl scouts in Orange County, California may have had their personal information compromised. Gaining access to […]
Some Tumblr Users May Have Had Their Data Breached
Do you use Tumblr? If so, be aware that your personal information may have been exposed. Tumblr recently added a feature called “Recommended Blogs” that presents you with a list of blogs you might enjoy based on your past viewing habits. It’s a great idea in theory, but unfortunately, there were problems with the way […]
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.


