Computer Safety & News

Users of Facebook should be careful of all recommendations in the “suggested friends” category as documented in this CNET article below: http://www.cnet.com/how-to/how-to-turn-off-this-creepy-facebook-feature/ Facebook’s Suggested Friends category is usually full of casual acquaintances, old friends from high school and other random people.  Lately, however, you may have seen random suggestions of people you don’t know, yet somehow […]

While Microsoft has not finalized the special WIN10 Anniversary release, there is speculation it could occur in early August 2016. http://www.pcworld.com/article/3089078/windows/leaked-windows-10-anniversary-update-is-coming-august-2.html Windows 10’s Anniversary Update will happen August 2, if a press headline posted, and then pulled, from Microsoft’s site is any indication. Spotted by Neowin Tuesday morning, the August 2 date would be four […]

Microsoft is offering free planning resources for companies who are evaluating migration to Windows 10 https://info.microsoft.com/Windows-10-for-Business-Onboarding-Kit.html Whether you’re researching a future upgrade, or planning a deployment, the Windows 10 for Business Onboarding Kit is a collection of informative resources that will help you understand how to deploy Windows 10. Learn about secure automated deployment, get […]

The online backup firm Carbonite has setup controls forcing all users to change their passwords immediately.  Carbonite has NOT been recently hacked.  However, they are concerned regarding older security breaches where user passwords had been discovered.  Many individuals use the same password for multiple sites. When a standard password is discovered, it allows attackers access to all […]

Microsoft has improved clarity for the free WIN10 upgrade window, for the WIN7 and WIN8 user community http://www.pcworld.com/article/3089299/windows/microsoft-backs-off-sneaky-windows-10-upgrade-tricks-with-simple-new-pop-up.html http://www.zdnet.com/article/microsoft-to-make-saying-no-to-windows-10-update-easier/ The new interface will feature three buttons with clear options, including Upgrade now, Choose time (in other words, schedule the upgrade time), or Decline free offer. Microsoft also plans to restore proper behavior to the “x” in […]

This PC World article shares reinstall options for Windows 7, 8, and 10 as noted below: http://www.pcworld.com/article/2364269/windows/how-to-reinstall-windows-like-a-pro.html A full, clean reinstall is different from the Reset your PC option in Windows 10 and 8, or a manufacturer’s recovery partition or disk for Windows 7. Those built-in options will set your PC back to its factory-default state—which […]

Ransomware continues to be a highly destructive threat to information resources.  Design innovation continues as documented by the SANS Internet Storm Center and Phishme security sites https://isc.sans.edu/forums/diary/Bart+a+new+Ransomware/21195/ http://phishme.com/rockloader-downloading-new-ransomware-bart/ Phishme is reporting the discovery of a new ransomware which its creators have named Bart. Bart shares several commonalities with the Locky ransomware.  Bart is delivered by […]

Physical security precautions to cover webcam and microphones are shared in article below:  http://mashable.com/2016/06/21/mark-zuckerberg-webcam-cover/ Facebook co-founder Mark Zuckerberg has been increasingly willing to share moments from his family and work life. But a photo he posted on Tuesday, intended to promote Instagram’s user milestone numbers, may have ended up revealing a little more about Zuckerberg than he […]

SANS Internet Storm Center has a  PATCH NOW  rating on this “zero day” exploit circulating in the wild https://isc.sans.edu/forums/diary/Critical+Adobe+Flash+Update+Patch+Now/21167/ https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/flash-player/apsb16-18.html Adobe did not release a patch for Flash on Tuesday, but instead alerted users of an unpatched, and actively exploited, vulnerability (CVE-2016-4171).  Today, Adobe did release a patch that fixes this vulnerability (and others). This […]

John Maxwell shares an excellent leadership article related to key decision points for managers to evaluate prior to moving on to new leadership opportunities http://www.johnmaxwell.com/blog/four-questions-to-ask-before-moving-on Have you ever felt like you were out of place? That where you are, isn’t where you’re supposed to be?  That’s such an important question. Looking back over my four […]