Zero-Day Attacks- How Safe Are You?

This is a guest post by Meenakshi Nagri.

In the past couple of years, there has been a rise in cyber-attacks which has eventually pushed for more reliable and better security capabilities such as protection, code security, encryption, authorization, so on and so forth. Moreover, it is imperative to protect global business and critical infrastructure from such cyber-attacks.

An average user or even a web-savvy user has a little knowledge about which application has better security standards. It is imperative to evaluate the safety of applications. There are some security protocols which should be maintained without deviating from the end goal.

Both organisations and individuals should strive to meet all the necessary security protocols and most importantly evaluate and meet all the security requirements and be assured that they meet the baseline for data security.

Vulnerability Timeline

A study reveals that about 20% of the global organisations rank cyber espionage as the most pressing concern, therefore, making it a significant threat to their business. The number of zero days is continually rising and with each attack being more severe. The primary targets under the radar have been government institutions, organisations from various sectors, individuals and so on.

The basic fundamental of cyber espionage is to expose the private information of the concerned person or company. Cyber espionage tops the list of security concerns as it repercussions can be felt even after eliminating the threat as it damages trade and creates a dent in the global economy.

Ransomware, malware attack, phishing, etc. are some common cyber-attacks. In particular, as recent has been the case with WannaCry ransomware attack. It was reported that it had infected more than 230,000 computers worldwide. Many organisations were hit in over 150 countries. The common tactic is to take advantage of the gaps left in the networks that have businesses partnerships and government agencies. Simply put, through these networks, these entities share valuable information that hackers can penetrate into thus easily getting access to useful information.

The question that arises next is why these entities get affected by cyber-attacks? The reason being, the lack of proper security implementation of protocols. Organizations, enterprises, individuals need to be informed of cyber-attack activities, so they better recognize the risk of exposure before it is unsolicited exposed.

Threats are Constantly Evolving

While recently catching up with news, you may have heard terms like ‘zero day’ and ‘cyber conflict’ over and over again. The technology has bestowed us with new exciting security protocols. This implies that with each advancement, we are better at adding an extra layer of security; however, as these approaches become obsolete, they can be bypassed quickly thus leaving a void for the cyber-attacks.

A zero-day vulnerability refers to such voids left in software which is unknown to the developers. This flaw is then exploited by the attackers with malicious intent even before the developers become aware of it. To counter the vulnerabilities, a software patch is released to fix the issue. Once such example is of Microsoft’s Patch Tuesday i.e. Microsoft releases security patches on every second or fourth Tuesday of each month for its products.

One of the reasons of the cyber espionage is the lack of applying these tactics i.e. to update their system with recently security updates. Systems running under unsupported operating systems or older versions were substantially exposed.

Simply put, developers create software that contains some voids and attackers spot the vulnerability before developers can act and exploits it. Once the patches are released, the exploits are no longer a threat.

The Role of Security Standard

As attackers look for advanced ways to exploit the vulnerabilities, new procedures and techniques are being adopted by them. They use hacking methods such as watering hole attacks, spear phishing attack, Whaling, Port scanning, to name a few.

Cyber security is a bigger challenge as one needs to implement advanced protocols and meet safety standards when required. Even though organizations may fulfill all the criteria or the developers checklist everything on the standards of security, there’s always room for enhancing the basic security capabilities. The fast evolving tactics and unpredictable threats used by cyber criminals have pushed for advanced evaluation and monitoring of services.

As the attackers adopt the latest technology, the security community is pushing for other defensive stances as well. They have started putting steps in place to guard against cyber- attack. Struggling to keep up with the security standards means to put the critical information and infrastructure at risk.

Adopting techniques to protect the cyber environment is the need of the hour. The primary objective is to mitigate and prevent any potential for cyber-attacks and for that, more and more companies are implementing various security safeguards, risk management approaches, guidelines, policies, technologies, investing in data recovery services, so on and so forth.

A Helping Hand

Zero-day, cyber conflict and cyber espionage all are a broader picture of cyber-attack, and nonetheless, make up for most of the cyber security challenge. The users need not be security experts to protect themselves against the attacks.

1. Use a top antivirus that will ensure that you are protected against both known & unknown vulnerability.
2. Time again IT experts ask users to update their software’s, the Update may include protection from a recently discovered bug.
3. Upgrade the browsers, push out an automatic update of the browsers regularly.

Stellar Data Recovery is one such name which is capable of countering such cyber-attacks; thereby, it presents itself as a reliable partner when it comes to data security.

The Final Word

We will always be wooed by the latest technological advancement which also means that the old ones will become obsolete; thereby, adopting new security approaches is equally essential. Cyber-attacks expose valuable assets gaining unauthorized access; therefore, businesses need to defend themselves against it and incorporate security protocols to mitigate the risk.

Making Things Uncomplicated In Hacking World With ChatWing Chat Software

This is a guest post by Aaron Kong.

Putting up a site intended to inform people of things they need to know like an online encyclopedia and such is a very good idea of sharing your knowledge to the people who needs it. As such, it is also important that you describe thoroughly these bits of information so these people would easily come to understand it. But sometimes, doing so just won’t cut it since there will always be terms and methods that are totally unheard of to these people. In these cases, you’ll need a tool that can let you engage with your visitors in a more direct manner so you can express your thoughts and ideas to them more clearly – and to do that you need Chatwing chat app.

This chatting tool is very effective in connecting you and your online readers through live chat. It’s easy enough to be embedded into you site in seconds and stable enough to hold out a large number of web traffic chatting simultaneously within the chat room. You don’t have to worry about your chat box not being able to handle large volumes of traffic as it is built specifically for that purpose.

Another good thing about this chat widget is that it’s very lenient in letting your readers gaining access to chat. With its socially integrated log-in mechanism, they are able to log-in using their social media accounts like Facebook, Twitter, Google and Yahoo accounts. They can also use their Chatwing accounts (provided they have one) or log-in as guests, if they want chat with you anonymously.

Having your readers join your chatroom with ease is one of the upbringings of this nifty chat widget. But what separates ChatWing from the others is its ability to comply with its lenience in logging methods. Since it is very easy for other people to join in on your conversations, it can’t be helped that your chat room will fall prey to spammers and other people that post messages which can be damaging to your site’s reputation. But as the admin user, you can prevent all that by using ChatWing’s very effective yet easy-to-use security features.

By simply watching over your chat room, you can easily ban people out of it with a simple click of the mouse and at the same time erase their messages. Or you can use the blacklist tab on the Dashboard to do so or unban people if you think otherwise. Using the word filter can block out profanity in the chat room and you also have the choice of putting moderators who can also watch over the chat room for you.

By properly managing the security for your site you can ensure your chatters that the information they’re receiving is totally credible and legit. And with you explaining the things hard for them to understand like different codes or how to crack games and such, it will be much easier for them to understand those. Having a managed and secured chat room will provide you and your chatters a more fulfilling conversation which will benefit you both.

About the author:

Aaron Kong is an active web developer and technology enthusiast who believes in the power of free speech and open communication. These are the driving principles behind his Chatwing chat software. In his spare time he enjoys playing with new gadgets and testing various open source technology.

Essential Security Steps For iPhone Fanatics

This is a guest post by Claudia.

For being an iPhone owner, chances are quite bright that you may be obsessed with the same. You will also never be bored from the same, given a range of cool apps that are available on iPhone.

However, attractive as they seem, iPhone are a big threat too and the chances of these getting stolen are very high. However, taking some security measures will ensure that the iPhone is safe and secure.

1. Have an Auto Lock and a Password: One of the basic security measure that can be taken is to have an auto lock for the iPhone. Though this may not prevent the phone from being stolen, having an auto lock and a password will ensure that all the important data within the iPhone will never fall in wrong hands. In an incident that took place in 2012, an iPhone belonging to a top political leader in India was stolen while he was travelling by a train. However, as per the information given by the leader in media, no vital data was lost as the iPhone had auto lock mode on. Having this basic security measure ensures that your iPhone will never fall in wrong hands, as the data will be secure all the while.
   
   
   Real Life Example: Recently the media in India was abuzz with speculations that iPhone belonging to a senior political leader was stolen when he was away on a tour of his home constituency in Rai Barelly in the state of Uttar Pradesh. However, much loss was prevented as the iPhone had auto lock feature that prevented data loss.
2. Using Wi- Fi Wisely: Wi-Fi is the most important feature on an iPhone and most iPhone users relish having this feature on the phone. However, unmindful to your knowledge, the Wi-Fi facility on your iPhone can be a security concern too.
   
   
   
   
   
   If you are using Wi-Fi facility on your iPhone, ensure that your home network is encrypted so that the iPhone cannot be used without your knowledge. Though, this feature might not be limited to iPhone only but using the iPhone on non encrypted network can have security concerns and you should avoid the same.
   
   
   Real Life Example: Wi- Fi facility needs to be used wisely, else the same can lead to data theft too. Top ranking IT companies as Wipro and IBM have caught some mischievous employees who were in the habit of proliferating data on a regular basis causing numerous losses to the establishment.
3. Have an Insurance Package for your iPhone: One of the biggest security concerns for your iPhone is the risk of it being stolen. Though you might be able to protect the data in your iPhone by enabling the auto lock feature, the physical loss of the iPhone can cost a lot. The best and viable method of getting your iPhone protected is to get an insurance for the same.
   
   
   A range of iPhone insurance services are available. Use your instinct and choose a compatible insurance plan for the iPhone that covers iPhone loss due to theft, fire or data damage.
   
   
   Real Life Example: Having an insurance package for the iPhone can help recover losses, in case the phone is stolen. Leading insurance companies as Bajaj and HDFC have some plans that have been specially prepared for iPhone users who wish to have insurance for their prized possession.
4. Data Wiping: You can ensure an additional protection layer for the iPhone by having data wiping facility for the iPhone. This feature is especially useful if someone accesses the passcode of your iPhone. All the data gets wiped off automatically ensuring that no vital information stored in the iPhone lands in wrong hands.
   
   
   However, this has risks associated too. Small children in your home might access the iPhone and lay seize to vital data in the iPhone. This will lead to wiping of the data in the iPhone and you might end up in unnecessary trouble.
   
   
   Real Life Example: Data wiping is a critical issue that needs to be addressed. A range of software are available online that will help you recover the data in case it is wiped unintentionally. This facility is of special use to intelligence agencies who usually need to crack codes and recover data that might help them solve a case.

Technology comes with its flaws too and safety of your iPhone is one such concern. Pay attention to the above listed facts and your iPhone will be safe.

About the author:

Claudia is a writer/blogger. She loves writing, travelling and reading books. She contributes to Dr. Keith Ostrosky.

Most Friendly Tricks For Your iPhone

This is a guest post by Claudia.

Survey Says There are a Lot More iPhone Users Now in India: The latest gadget to strike human race is iPhones. IPhones are common mobile phones to be used by even the labour class people outside India and is a fast catching device in India. The sales strategies of combined offer of the phone with a sim card seem to be working in their favour and more and more people are using their smart phones as their own peers. These iPhones are believed to have a brain of their own, and are not called smart phones just like that; the features are bound to be user friendly. And so if you are planning to buy an iPhone the following list of tricks is sure to help you get accustomed with the phone.

You Might Lose Track of Your Relationships, your iPhone Will Not:There is a list of user friendly applications or apps as you put it in mobile language. One of them Siri, keeps a track of your relationships. For example you save it beforehand that so and so are your wife and mother. Therefore when you voice command your phone, “call my wife” it has enough intelligence to not mix it up between your mother and wife and dial your wife’s number. This is not the only useful part of Siri, it even stores your home and office address so that it can distinguish between the reminders that you put on your phone and remind you every time before you leave a certain place. Siri even can take quick dictations and reply to a certain email.

Saving you From Tacky Situations - iPhone Dictation:IPhone is getting forever upgraded with newer and newer versions.

• The latest is the iPhone5 but the software of taking dictation was developed in iPhone4 itself. The microphone button is present in the keypad itself that saves you in a situation where it is easier to dictate a quick reply to an email or text.
• Whereas iPhone5 launched the panorama concept of photography. In this mode you can take a long picture as soon as you press star and move the camera in the direction of the picture without the resolution creating a difference.

iPhone Made Web Browsing a Hobby For Everyone:Emailing is made easy with iPhone where if you just touch and hold the compose button you can edit the last saved draft item. And refreshing your inbox is always ready with a download swipe that is quick enough to save your precious time. While switching to landscape full screen mode gives a totally different and realistic view of the website. Touching and holding a picture in the web browser easily saves the image in your own gallery.

Conclusion:IPhone is also very handy for all those messaging fingers. The customized keyboard offers you an option of saving your very own short forms so that later you don’t have to type the whole thing while replying to a text. And the oh-so-delightful app iCloud easily tracks your iPhone after you have lost it by simply activating the “find my iPhone” option in the app itself. If you just zeroed in another model of mobile phone think again about all the features and don’t forget to compare them with those of the iPhone. This is sure to change your decision for good. This one time investment has a long way to go.

About the author:

Claudia is a blogger by profession. She loves writing, reading and traveling. Beside this she is fond of luxury cars and wishes to own one day Lexus GS 450h Sedan.

The Grinch And His Data Theft Antics 2012

This is a guest post by Jane Andrew.

Check list for this Christmas:

• Gifts for loved ones
• Menu for Christmas dinner
• Christmas tree
• Shopping
• Data protection…?

You must be surprised to see the last chore in your Christmas checklist. Prevention is better than cure. With rise in data breach incidents, it is better that you keep a backup of your data, so that it is not lost forever. You can also install an anti-virus or anti-spyware in your gadget to prevent attack of malware, hackers and thieves.

About the author:

Written by Jane Andrew. "The Grinch who stole data" has been created to keep you in the loop about Data Theft trends 2012. Mobistealth, the firm that developed the infographic, deals in keylogger software.

Why These Days Hacking Is Easy And Everyone Is Hacked?

This is a guest post by Claudia.

This is among the most common questions which seem to be troubling the modern day generation. People with even some basic computer and internet knowledge can understand the severity of this issue.

However, hacking is not an easy nut to crack; it requires lots of skills and efforts and is considered among the tougher tasks. Yet, these days, hackers have created whole lot of mess by simply cracking passwords of emails, bank accounts, and other similar things. This has emerged as a serious threat in the present context especially when you transfer money online, and carry out countless things on the web. The following are few possible reasons why hacking is becoming a rampant phenomenon where so many people are getting hacked.

The Password Habits of Users are Getting Worse

Any average internet user maintains around 25 different accounts but simply uses merely 6.5 passwords to secure them. The fact is maintaining this much of accounts is not an easy job as you need lots of brain space to remember complex code combos which is actually a difficult task. This simply ends up creating common passwords for a number of accounts.


Further, the password people select are often very simple and even stupid which are easy to crack. According to different studies, it takes hardly ten minutes to crack any lower case six character based passwords. The best way to avert this issue is to use dumb passwords.

Cracking Passwords Have Become Easy

Earlier cracking passwords was really a tough nut to crack, however, these days with so many tools, graphic processors, and password cracking programs doing this job has become faster and easy. In fact, there is a drastic advancement seen in the hacking world which has made cracking password a simple exercise. The most classic example is the LinkedIn breach of how things have changed in hacking domain. This has therefore proved that modern passwords are no more secure as they were in the past.

Growth in Hacking Network Effect

With every successful password hacking effort, the hackers and cyber thieves learn a lot about these crimes. The fast growing list of a wide range of leaked passwords has enabled the programmers to device rules which make the cracking algorithms more accurate and fast. This has therefore made the password attacks a cut and paste job, which even the script kiddies are able to carry out without much efforts. Still, you would see many web users having a password like ‘123456’ or words like ‘password’ despite being cautioned several times to use difficult and unique passwords.

Websites Have Now Turned Worst in Protecting the Users

The best example is again the case of LinkedIn breach where the company confessed that it simply occurred due to some poor protective measures. There are other examples of such hacking over a number of big and small websites. Most of these sites simply do not have sufficient amount of ‘cryptographic salt’ to their password protection. This renders opportunities to cyber criminals to hack such sites. A number of popular sites are seen ignoring this cryptographic salt element in their password security system.

Conclusion

Checking the above reasons confirms a fact that we have now reached to end of these password security systems. However, let’s keep our fingers crossed and see technology fixing these issues for the millions of users. Or, we need to simply embark with our own solutions to shield us from different hackers attack.

About the author:

Claudia is a writer/blogger. She loves writing, travelling and content marketing. These days she is busy to write an article on content marketing. Recently she did an article on viral marketing.

New Headache: Hackers Targeting Android Browser

This is a guest post by Jaskirat S Talwar.

According to statistics, cybercriminals and hackers are now targeting the Android browser. Many Android phones are now malware-infected through the browsers. This tactic is working and so if you are an Android phone user, you have to take the necessary precautionary measures.

Hackers implant hidden downloads in the web pages that are optimized for mobile internet users. Reports claim that there are now over 4,500 malware species infecting Android phones, Java ME, and Symbian.

A great disadvantage in using Android phones is that the security etiquette adopted by laptops and desktop computers is not yet available to mobile gadgets. Most Android users are unaware that there are infected sites that can cause potential harm to their mobile phone. Fake files make use of unsuspected names and the vulnerable Android user downloads it thinking that the file is a system or software update.

Hackers these days are very specific in choosing their targets, and are also more precise. If you want to protect your phone from hackers, here are some things you can do:

• Update your Android browser automatically: This is to ensure that you’re using the latest browser version. You need to be sure that it is set in auto-updating because in some browsers it is disabled.
• Disable cookies tracking: At some point, cookies can be useful. However, there are individuals who don’t like cookies that follow you anywhere you go. A good option is to block the so called third-party cookies. The procedure in blocking these cookies may differ depending on the browser that you’re using.
• Sync bookmarks: You can say goodbye to manual wrangling of bookmarks. Premium services are now available to sync bookmarks to the Android browser. However, you may have to pay around $12 per year for such services. Despite the cost that you will incur, there are also benefits to enjoy.
• Use reliable mobile security for your Android. It is better to pay for premium services because you can take advantage of better features like secured internet browsing, remote locking function, back up of important files, and many others.
• To keep all data in your phone, you have to make a password today.
• Get only the official apps for Android – Be selective with what you download and get it from the official Android Market

It is truly a headache for Android phone users once their device is infected with malware. Now that you know the latest news about hackers targeting the browser of Android phones, it is your responsibility to browse the web securely. Follow the suggestions above and you can protect your device from the many malware species found on infected websites.

Safety is an important factor whenever you surf the web. You can combat these hackers and cybercriminals but you should be equipped with the right knowledge and tools. Frequent updates on your browser are the best way to keep hackers at bay, and this is true whether you own the Google Android or the Apple iOS.

Because of the popularity of Android phones, it has become one of the primary targets of hackers and cybercriminals.

About the author:

Jaskirat S Talwar is the owner of Imping Solution. Impinge Solutions is a WEB DESIGN COMPANY which offers full-cycle services in areas of custom web design, web development, MOBILE APPLICATION DEVELOPMENT, SEO, hosting & support in all over the Globe.

Two Leading Hacking Vulnerabilities In Your Mobile Device

This is a guest post by Ryan Corey.

Mobile devices including smartphones and tablets are convenient tools used to connect people to professional contacts, friends and family members. While this technology has made life easier for many people, weaknesses in mobile devices that leave these devices open to hacking can result in theft of personal, corporate, Government and classified information and lead to the burden of dealing with identity theft, public humiliation, reputation damage and even legal penalty and financial loss.

Downloading Applications

Apps are fun and useful additions to a mobile device, but users should take care when browsing the app store and starting a download. While most apps are perfectly safe, there is the possibility that an app will contain malware. Even if the app itself does not contain malware, ads that are featured when a user is using a free app could prompt a person to start a download of malicious material. Anyone who notices that a download has started on their mobile device after they have clicked on an ad should be sure to immediately stop the download and delete anything that has been downloaded on to their mobile device.

Preventing malware downloads in the first place requires a person to be diligent about what is downloaded on a personal mobile device. Free apps require a bit of research before a download is completed. Make note of the publisher, and run an online search to find out if anyone has reported that apps from this publisher contain malware. Read all of the information provided before the app is download. Permissions that are required prior to a download should be related to the features contained in the app. For example, there is no reason that a calculator app would need to access a user's contact list.

The final line of defense against malware downloaded from apps available on mobile devices is utilizing a virus scanner. As with any other download, make sure that the virus scanner itself is from a reputable source. Online reviews can help a person decide which virus scanner is most effective for their mobile device.

Wireless Man in the Middle Attacks

Setting your mobile device, and in most cases your phone, can be one of the main perks of upgrading your device to the latest model. 3G mobile hotspots became popular years ago and now everyone wants a device that can act as a hub for multiple devices to get online at almost any 4G location. These devices are also extremely vulnerable to what is referred to in the hacking community as Wireless Man in the Middle Attacks (MiTM). These attacks are easy to implement from a hacker perspective and can be the most personally damaging because they usually offer up the majority of a person’s personal information via their cell phone and other active mobile device like an iPad or Laptop. The MiTM attacker can easily mask themselves as an authorized user on the network and can give themselves full access to almost all information on your device including credit card numbers, access codes, data and even access to other networks related to you.

Wireless hacking is rampant. It is not just a tool for covert ops professionals overseas anymore. Thieves are using these types of attacks daily across the country.

Using the Android Operating System (OS)

Reports related to the number of malware attacks on mobile devices have shown that the Android OS is the most vulnerable to these attacks. According to McAfee, mobile devices with an Android OS accounted for approximately 70 percent of all malware attacks on mobile devices in 2011. The most common way for malware attacks to occur on these devices is through the download of an app.

The fact that the Android OS is most vulnerable to malware attacks does not necessarily mean that people should avoid all mobile devices using an Android OS. As detailed above, users of mobile devices can avoid malware by being proactive about the security of their devices.

Owning a mobile device is a convenient way to stay connected with your organization as well as your social world, but this connectivity does result in serious vulnerabilities. Want to learn more about mobile security and hacking? Check out the TrainACE Advanced Mobile Hacking Courses.

About the author:

This is a guest post by Ryan Corey or TrainACE, a computer training school in Maryland. TrainACE provides on campus, on-site, and online training for various IT security classes such as CEH, CHFI, Security+, and more.

Are Social Networks Putting You At Risk?

This is a guest post by Phoenix TS.

Consumers share a significant amount of personal information on various social networking sites and as a result are putting themselves at greater risk for identity fraud. So how can you protect yourself? Follow these simple steps and decrease your chances of falling victim to identity thieves.

Are Social Networks Putting You at Risk?

There is no denying that in today’s world there isn’t much that can be done without using the internet. A person can very easily perform their banking needs, complete a graduate degree, find a job and even find that perfect someone all on their laptops, smartphone or tablet. The use of the web has become an integral part of life and as a result many people do not see it as anything but a means to going about their day and do not think twice about the information they put out there for the world to see. 

Millions of people actively engage on multiple social networking sites in order to connect with the world around them. These sites are used in order to form social, business or personal connections with people all over the world. While creating these connections is fun and often times necessary, it is also one that cannot be completed without disclosing personal information. For this reason, Javelin Research incorporated social media behaviors amongst consumers into their 2012 Identity Fraud Report. This report actually showed that consumers share a significant amount of personal information on various social networking sites and as a result are putting themselves at greater risk for identity fraud. Since the 2011 report, identity theft increased 13%, affecting roughly 12 million Americans, the majority of which were actively engaging on social networking sites. The identity fraud rate associated with the world’s top social networks includes:

• 10% of LinkedIn users 
• 7% of Google+ users 
• 6.3% of Twitter users 
• 5.7% of Facebook users

Based on this information, roughly 17.5 million LinkedIn users experienced some degree of identity fraud; all of which could easily be prevented if the right precautions were taken. 

So how can you protect yourself from falling victim? Realize that you are vulnerable on these sites and don’t put anything that could put you at risk for identity theft. Some basic tips to follow when using social networking sites:

• Ensure your device has the proper security measures in place and the connection is secure, this includes mobile phones, tablets and laptops.
• Use strong passwords and do not use the same password for every account.
• Think about the information you make available, if it is not something you would tell to a complete stranger, then don’t post it.
• Do not use your full name to identify yourself or use your full date of birth.
• Do not post your current or past addresses, phone numbers or primary email address.
• Use private profiles and only invite into your network those people you know.
• Be aware of the groups you are joining because then all the members of those groups can gain access to your information.

Finally, just to be sure your information is safe, Google yourself. Go through the results and see if personal information about you appears and then do something about it. By following all of this tips and managing your online presence you can reduce your risk of becoming a victim of identity fraud.

About the author:

Phoenix TS is a management, computer, IT and cyber security training company headquartered in Columbia, Maryland.

Steps To Increase Your Smartphone Security

This is a guest post by Lucille J Cronk.

The increasing use of smartphones and the reliance placed on it by smartphone users has made them the targets of many malicious activities. Their enormous storage capacity has given relief to our brains in trying to recollect all information at odd times. However, in case of loss of the smartphone, the security of such confidential information is compromised. The phone as well as the data would be subjected to misuse by fraudulent persons. To prevent such misuse, it is necessary to increase the security of your smartphone. There are various ways by which you can step up your smartphone security.

1. Set a Non Decodable Password: You would be using your smartphone for many activities like online banking, shopping, internet surfing and for a whole lot of activities which you do using a computer. You would also be accessing your company mails and portals. To ensure the security of the activities that you have gone through, and to prevent anybody from gaining access to private information, it is essential to secure your mobile either with a password or PIN. You need to select a password which is strong and cannot be easily decoded. Setting a password is the first and foremost step in mobile security. If access is denied by setting up a strong password, the safety of your all data in the smartphone is safeguarded.

2. Verify the Authenticity of Downloads: The multi functionality of smartphones allows us to install numerous applications. There are many numbers of fraudulent sites operating in the cyber world. They would entice you with free downloads and ultimately install malicious software on your smartphone. Always install apps from trusted and verified sources. It is safer to download from the app website.

3. Install Antivirus Software: Lots of malevolent software is circulating with the net result that lots of your mail attachments and apps are loaded with virus. It is advisable to install antivirus software on your smartphones to prevent any damage. You should also frequently check and install the updates too, to ensure that your antivirus software is potent to weed out all malicious software.

4. Anti Theft Spyware: The Smartphone is prone to mobile thefts due to its utility. Though you cannot prevent theft, other than being careful; by installing anti theft mobile apps you can secure your stolen smartphone. Anti theft spyware has features which allow you to lock the phone remotely and also allow wiping out the data to prevent misuse in your stolen smart phone. Such spyware enable you to track the location of the phone through text messages.

5. Mobile Monitoring Apps: Mobile monitoring apps have gained popularity in view of the emerging mobile threats. Their features are designed to protect your smartphone and safeguard the information stored on them. The mobile monitoring app or cell phone spy software is very easy to install. There are many such monitoring apps like Mobile Spy, Mobistealth, Spybubble, Stealthgenie and Flexispy. Installation can be done in a few minutes by downloading the application from your chosen apps website. Installation is the only time that you require to gain physical access of the smartphone on which you wish to install the spyware. Later on, you can review the activities of the smartphone like call and mail tracking, location tracking, browsing history, pictures and contacts stored on the smartphone from a remote user account.

On the whole, securing your smartphone from human and cyber world threats is of utmost importance in order to ensure that all your confidential information is well protected.

About the author:

Lucille J Cronk is a blogger who is enough passionate about mobile technology and other monitoring apps. She has her own blog on cell phone spy and one can get plenty of information on her site.

Is Your Mobile Device Hacker-Proof?

This is a guest post by Alyse.

If it's connected to the Internet, it can be hacked. For years, this was mainly a concern to PC users and IT guys, but anything that achieves mainstream usage and market share will eventually attract black hat types. From greedy cyber-criminals to malicious joy riders, the latest lure is the Internet-connected device in everyone's pocket.

Unfortunately, the very things that make our Smartphone’s and tablets so appealing to us -- mobility, ease of use, always-on communications -- render mobile devices even more exposed to the hijinks of hackers. Plus, let's face it -- most of the people walking around with tablets and Smartphone’s aren't going to take the same basic security precautions that have become second-nature to "serious" PC and IT folks.

With that in mind, let's run down a checklist of what you can and should be doing to make your constant mobile companion as safe as possible.

They're Just Little Computers

Although hackers need a different set of tools to gain access of a mobile device, many of the vulnerabilities are very similar to well-known PC security risks. Browser exploits, email phishing, password cracking -- all of the classic holes can be found on mobile devices.

How to protect yourself: Simple common security precautions: use strong passwords, don't open unknown attachments or click on unknown links, use HTTPS whenever you can while browsing, pay even closer attention to security certificate warnings, and avoid transmitting personal and financial data as much as possible (and never unencrypted!).

There's an App for That

iOS users don't yet need too much app help for security and antivirus tasks, but the Google or Amazon app markets should be your first stop for mobile security and antivirus solutions.

How to protect yourself: Use one of the big security names like avast!, Norton, and Kapersky, or a proven mobile-specific security developer such as Lookout or Antivirus Free by Creative Apps.

Cool the Hotspot

Many mobile devices, especially tablets, regularly connect to the Internet via Wi-Fi. This means that they share all of the risks of any wireless network, which can be infiltrated by any self-respecting hacker with a sniffer, or simply riding on the same public hotspot.

How to protect yourself: Practice basic router sense by changing the default login and SSID using strong passwords, enabling WEP / WPA encryption, restricting allowed devices (MAC filtering), and making sure the firewall is active. On the device side, turn off any "auto-connect to Wi-Fi networks" settings, and disable Wi-Fi completely when it's not needed. In addition to being more secure, this will noticeably increase your battery life.

Stop Malicious Apps Before They Start

This tends to be a bigger problem with Android, because Apple has historically been very restrictive when reviewing app submissions. Still, some things get by the review process on any mobile OS, so you should be very careful when downloading and installing, especially if you are "side loading" (i.e., installing an APK from a non-market source).

How to protect yourself: Don't leave everything up to the antivirus software. Do your research before adding apps. Check for plenty of reviews (number of downloads means nothing). Note how long the app has been available, and investigate developer websites (and any other apps they may have). Think carefully about the requested permissions -- a flashlight app does not need to know your location or connect to the Internet.

Location, Location, Location

Location tracking is a common worry for most Smartphone users, all the more so since Apple and Google were questioned by the federal government for keeping detailed logs of user coordinates. The good news is that GPS data is securely transmitted, but the bad news is that many phones use a technology called "Assisted GPS" which makes an insecure connection to cell towers. Because it's a low-level process, hackers could get access to the processor itself, enabling remote takeover.

How to protect yourself: Find the "Assisted GPS" setting on your phone, and make sure that it's turned off. This will make it a little harder for you to get your exact location, but it will close a major hole in your mobile security.

When Texts Attack

Simple SMS / MMS text messages can be used by hackers, for DoS attacks or in many of the same ways that email is vulnerable. But there's no "spam filter" for texts, and SMS is "always on" by default, so there may be no way of avoiding opening potentially malware-bearing messages with links or embedded multimedia attachments (pictures, graphics, and sounds). Luckily, SMS exploits are relatively rare, but the sheer vulnerability of them is appealing to hackers.

How to protect yourself: You'll be safest if you can turn off the automatic multimedia display so that you need to click on any attachment first, but not all devices have this function. If you get a text from an unknown number, it may be safest to delete it ASAP before reading it.

Armed with these tips, you should be as safe as possible from the black hat hackers out there. As we've seen, there's nothing that can't be hacked, but if you make it difficult enough, they'll go find something easier to mess with. Oh, and one final tip: the most time-honored way to gain access to a device is to simply pick it up and walk away. It's not very high-tech, but keeping an eye on your Smartphone and tablet at all times may be the best advice of all.

About the author:

Alyse is a marketing, photography, and tech addict who spends her time investigating the next generation of technology. When she is not brushing up on her art of the scientific know how in the world, you can find her contributing to ATTSavings or on Twitter @Alyse_1.

Remove Unwanted Files With CCleaner

This is a guest p​​​​​ost by Vincent Ammirato.

Your personal computer has a lot more junk in it, than what is visible to the eye. To ensure this junk does not hinder the performance of your PC you must do away with it on an on-going basis. This will not only keep the system clean but also help your PC and the various software and applications therein to function efficiently.

CCleaner is a handy system utility that helps in handling everyday PC issues. The software simply analysis your PC and scrubs out all the junk files it can find. Given below is a brief tutorial on how to remove unwanted files with CCleaner:

• After you install CCleaner you will be asked about good cookies, i.e. your email login details etc. Click OK.
• Once the CCleaner is launched, you will notice two option tabs, ‘Windows’ and ‘Applications’ whereas on the left you will see vertical list of options namely, Cleaner, Registry, Tools and Option.
• In the Windows and Application, tabs select the data you wish to do away with.
• Thereafter click on ‘Analyze’ to get a brief overview of the total data that can be deleted in the various categories. This feature will give you a detailed analysis of the files and the total number of files along with the space they are accumulating on your system.
• After ‘Analysis’ you can hit the ‘Run Cleaner’ button to permanently delete the analyzed files. Remember that you will not be able to recover these files once you delete them.
• After the Window and Application related data, you can also check the Registry option to know the Registry related issues in your PC. When you install various software and application on your system, there could be some registry related issues due to the various overlapping changes made to the registry.
• Before you clean, the Registry issues remember to take a backup of your Registry just for precautionary reasons. There could be a probability that the registry clean could create new issues for your system. The registry also cleans the system of unused and orphaned keys.

You can download it from here.

Before you initiate the cleaner process, make sure you have checked the software and applications that you wish to do away with. The most common applications are web browsers like Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox as well as multimedia like Adobe Flash Player, etc.

The CCleaner cleaning process is very easy. You need not break your head trying to find your way around the various options. In addition to cleaning junk files and registry clean up, you can also make changes to your windows startup. You can use CCleaner as often as you wish to, may it be everyday or even before you wish to cleanup your system before installing a new software. CCleaner can also be used as a portable application on your USB and run on any system. Therefore, if you are looking for a handy system-cleaning tool that will not eat up your memory, you can opt for CCleaner.

About the author:

Vincent Ammirato is the marketing strategist for Alter Imaging -a digital agency in Charlotte, NC. Vincent has over 15 years experience in digital design, development and marketing working both large corporations in house and in agency settings. He also teaches web design at UNC Charlotte.

Tips For Making Your Computer / Internet More Secure

This is a guest p​​​​​ost by iPayX.

Hacking of websites is big news nowadays. Companies have their sites shut down or sensitive customer data stolen at an alarming rate. While companies with websites can afford online security consultants to help ward off the latest attacks to their sites, the average computer user can do a lot on his/her own behalf to help make the home computer secure.

To begin with, when setting up an account of any sort, be it an email account, online bank account, or other, be password savvy. Avoid the obvious. A user with the name "Alfred Crandall" should avoid passwords with any semblance to that name. Hence, "alcran" or "cranoo1" are bad ideas. The best passwords use non-words (i.e., made up words not found in the dictionary) such as "klurpthon" or "fruzzle".

It is also important to add numbers to a password, preferably within the word itself instead of at the beginning or end. In the previous example words, putting in numbers would result in "klu7ptho9n" or "f4ruz2zle". These bizarre combinations are much more difficult to hack than simple words or names. However, since they can potentially be difficult to remember, always write them down somewhere.



Another way to add to security is to limit online tracking by web programs. The most common of these trackers are known as "cookies". They pay attention to the sites that a user visits and then sends that information to a variety of companies looking to send users everything from unwanted ads to potentially dangerous malware or viruses.

To stop all this, use the "tools" button on whatever web browser is being used and find the option tab. Next find the security tab and click it. Most browsers give users the option to block cookies. This will eliminate much of the tracking that can be done when a user is online.

A good anti-virus program is also essential. While there are plenty of good pay programs, there are also plenty that are quite robust and free to boot. ZoneAlarm is a simple and effective anti-virus program that is free to use, as well as Avast, Avira, and others. Download one and run scans often to check for problems.

Finally, be careful of online transactions. Stick with well-known names and payment systems, such as PayPal or Google Checkout, and only give a company a credit card number after thoroughly researching the company.

About the author:

Guest post by iPayX, an online payment processing company, specializing in secure billing solutions.

What Is Phishing And How To Prevent Getting Hacked?

This is a guest po​​​​​st by Fenix Raw.

The problem with phishing is that most of the people are unaware of the whole issue of phishing. Web users, who are already in threat from various elements like virus, spyware etc, are facing a larger threat than any of them, but what is phishing? And how can it harm you? These are the questions, which will be answered in the next few lines.

Phishing

Phishing is an online scam, where people associated with it pose as legitimate website or links and ask for the details of the user, like the personal, contact and financial details. Then they fraudulently access your accounts with the information provided by you, and leave you bankrupt. The problem is so overwhelmingly huge that it costs US government about one billion dollars every year.

How Does the Phishing Scam Work?

Most of the time, a phishing scam starts off with the victim receiving an email to his or her email account. Apparently, these mails look legitimate and from a trusted source. The most common types include emails from bank, financial companies like brokerage or even from credit card companies. These emails claim that your account is going to face some serious impending problem, like delay in payments or account closure, and demands attention from your side. They also provide the solution to the same like changing the account details, like username, password etc to get rid of the problem.

The same applies for the spoof websites or rather to say the mirrored website. It may seem to you that you are entering your details into a legitimate website. However, in reality, the website you are browsing is simply a fake one.

Once you provide them with your account details, the financial account of yours is now vulnerable to them, as they are the ones who can hack and operate it easily. Most of the time, it is observed that they usually utilize the account information to get loan grants and credits from the bank, leaving a huge financial problem for you.

How to Prevent Phishing?

Once you have fallen in to the trap of some phishing scam, it may take years to get rid of it. It is always said that prevention is better than cure and this applies to phishing scams too. One of the easiest ways to avoid phishing attacks is to have your anti-virus updates regularly. Also, make sure that you are installing an anti-virus, which has got email scanner and link scanners, which detects the safety of a link before you click over them.

A good spam control program can also provide protection from phishing. The most difficult part is to detect fake websites and mails from the real ones, as the scammers do not keep any single stones unturned to make them look like real ones.

Getting all the security settings of your browser turned “On” will also help you to prevent yourself from falling in some phishing scam. Browse safe and be away from the dangers of phishing.

About the author:

Guest post by Fenix Raw from ExamsKey Looking for Exams key exam assistance? Let’s take benefit of Exams key self-paced Security+ Certification Preparation Certification training material and pass your IT certification on first attempt with guaranty.

Steps To Prevent Getting Hacked

This is a guest p​​​​​ost by Fenix Raw.

A security threat to your PC is a common problem these days and users need to address a little caution when it comes to the safety of their systems. We hear more and more reports about the security levels of systems being compromised due to being hacked.

Here are a few steps and pointers that will help and guide the users to prevent their systems from being hacked:

Antivirus Solutions

There is no running away from this. There are still quite a few people, who feel the need to install antivirus solutions on their system. Many of them also fail to update their antivirus software’s regularly, which makes them outdated and less effective. In order to prevent your system from being hacked it is absolutely crucial to have a good antivirus solution. 

There are many good brands of antivirus solutions available on the internet and moreover, many of them are free. Still it would be recommended for the user to go in for a paid version as they are the safest choice. They have better scanning potential and some of the good ones and also many best anti-viruses are available online.

Importance of Firewalls

Firewalls also play a crucial role in protecting your system from being hacked. It acts as a barrier and keeps the threats out of the network. This will prevent the influx of Trojans, malware and other forms of threats.  Hence, it is important for all the users to implement a strong firewall that work effectively to prevent possibly any such threats.

Clear Your Browser Periodically 

This is another effective step that enhances security levels in your system. Hackers often target the users through their surfing habits. While Cookies do not pose any threat to your PC, they give an idea about your surfing habits. Hence, erase your cookies from time to time to avoid detection. 

A lot of users also have the tendency to store passwords on the websites and they frequent to initiate quick log ins. This could possibly be a little dangerous, especially if the user uses the same password for many accounts. Hence, erase browser history along with site passwords on a more periodic basis.

Creating Backups

Always create backups of important data that you have on your system. Sometimes, virus attacks can lead to loss of crucial data that was important for the user. 

Scan Attachments

Be wary when you receive attachments through e-mail from unknown sources. While today’s major email providers comes with scan protection, it still pays to be cautious when it comes to receiving mails from unknown sources. 

Always scan the mail before opening, as it is one of the easiest methods through which your system can get infected. Also, take care to ensure you do not send unsafe links or attachments to your friends and colleagues.  

Keep OS Updated

Updating the OS on a regular basis is also very helpful towards preventing security threats on the system. In case you are looking for updates in Windows, you can look for them online.

About the author:

Guest post by Fenix Raw from ExamsKey Looking for Exams key exam assistance? Let’s take benefit of Exams key self-paced CCNA Wireless Certification Preparation Certification training material and pass your IT certification on first attempt with guaranty.

The Nitty-Gritty Of Being An Ethical Hacker

This is a guest post by Monta.

Ethical hacking is a fairly old profession. As a matter of fact, the U.S government employed hackers to penetrate its computer security systems in the 1970s. Since then, ethical hackers have played an integral role in maintaining the computer security systems of many organizations.

Benefits of Ethical Hacking:

1. Protection from anti-terrorism: With advancements in technology, terrorism has assumed a more sophisticated angle. Ethical hackers sniff out terrorism threats by identifying any loopholes in the country’s security systems.
2. Adequate security preparations: Hackers also enable the country to ready itself for any security breaches. They help the security authorities to seal potential security pitfalls by forewarning them.
3. Improve computer systems: Companies that employ the services of ethical hackers can insulate themselves from unscrupulous hackers. This is possible when these professionals unearth any tricks that malicious hackers can use to infiltrate the systems.

How to Become an Ethical Hacker?

Those who want to become ethical hackers must fulfill certain conditions. These requirements include:

1. Gain formal training: As is the case with most careers, ethical hacking requires formal training. The would-be ethical hackers must have an experience in Information Technology (IT).
2. Gain A+ certification: As part of their formal training, hackers must gain their A+ certifications. This will enable them to acquire a technical support position while preparing to scale the ladders of their experience.
3. Acquire additional certification: The next step after gaining the A+ certification is the acquisition of a CCNA or Network+ certification. It is a mandatory requirement for would-be hackers to gain an administrative role.
4. Earn security certifications: Earning a CISSP, TISCA or Security+ certification is important for elevation to the post of an information security officer. At this stage, prospective ethical hackers will gain access to the necessary materials for penetration testing.
5. Acquire a CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker) certificate: The CEH certificate opens the way for prospective hackers to market themselves. They can acquire this certification from the EC-Council (International Council of Electronic Commerce Consultants).
6. Possess adequate knowledge of related fields: Potential ethical hackers must also familiarize themselves with other fields. For example, they can engage in activities like programming, database management and analysis of Linux/Unix commands.
7. Equip oneself with soft skills: Ethical hacking requires possession of soft skills besides its technical aspect. They include good communication skills, dedication, astute work ethics and problem-solving skills.

It is important to remember that ethical hacking is a challenging task. This is due to the temptations of crossing over to the dark side. As such, ethical hackers can turn on their employers by breaching the security system or infecting it with harmful elements. All ethical hackers must live by the name of the profession. This involves staying legal always.

About the author:

Monta the mother of three children serves as an Expert Advisor on multiple household help issues to many Organizations and groups, and is a mentor for other “Mom-preneurs” seeking guidance. She is a regular contributor of “nanny jobs”. You can get in touch with her at montafleming6Atgmail dotcom.

Security Checks To Be Performed For PHP Web Development

This is a guest post by Nishant.

Web applications have been used today for a higher extent for marketing the products and services provided by various companies and consultants. As there is an increased demand for the web development activity there are also security breeches creeping in internally from the development activity and also from the external market. So, if a developer is developing a web application, he/she should be more careful and should be aware of all the required development techniques which will make the website more secured.

Here are the few suggestions which will help web developers in web applications development more secured way:

• Most of the time developers will make use of variables for providing the authentication which is very dangerous. These variables can be replaced very easily by the hackers which will make to loose the important data of based on the user roles. At this situation take the complete benefit of PHP where there is “define” functions for providing authentication for the specified role users.
• The other mistake done by the developers is that not using the escape characters for database queries and urls. They will just use the value of the variable based on the user input. This helps the hackers from accessing the database values. They can make any kind of changes for the database which is not acceptable. One can make use of “addslashes” function which will help to escape the special characters wherever used through out the application.
• When there are cases of uploading the files, php web developers should be more careful. Commonly for file uploads developers will make use of variables. So as soon as the file is uploaded the PHP script will create a temporary file. This URL can be easily tracked where hackers can make the script to create the file in some other path or also can make the script not to create the file. To ensure the safety of the uploaded files it is highly recommended for the web developers to sue is_uploaded_file and move_uploaded_file methods to ensure that the file is uploaded in the correct path.
• One more mistake done by the developers is that they will forget to escape the HTML characters. When it happens the visitors can make use of <blink> tag in the comments sections which will make the rest part of the website after the comment section to blink.

Create a best secured website so that business can be executed with ease without any issues externally and also internally.

About the author:

Nishant is very passionate about PHP development, codeigniter web application, web designing, SEO/internet marketing and blogging. If you like this post, I would love to hear from you. Leave a comment, share my post and follow me @phprockerz on Twitter.