Google Chrome Browser Security Update - 43.0.2357.65

Google has released another update to its Chrome browser, now version 43.0.2357.65.

This update applies to Windows, Mac, and Linux to address multiple vulnerabilities. 

Per Google, exploitation of one of these vulnerabilities may allow a remote attacker to take control of an affected system.

I recommend updating Google Chrome if you have it.

To update the browser: 

1. Open Google Chrome.
2. Click at upper right on the three horizontal bars.
3. Click Help, About Google Chrome near the bottom.
4. Chrome will then check for updates and install if any.

While you're in the update mode, I suggest you check for OS (Operating System) updates for Windows, Mac, or Linux, whichever you are running (on all computers you own); and update your AV (Anti Virus) software.

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Be Careful Which Data You Store on the Internet

Be Careful Which Data You Store on the Internet

What's the issue?
Photos, videos, emails, documents, spreadsheets, etc. - all the stuff you create on your digital devices and post or store on the Internet - are accessible to other people, and not just people you've shared them with. 

The internet is a public network and as such is a tempting target for hackers. Whether it's called the Web, the Net, or the Cloud, all services are running on a public platform.  

Cloud storage companies that host your email, your personal or company files, your precious pictures of family, etc. are usually doing their best to limit access to authorized users only, i.e. those users having passwords or other means of authentication. 

But the potential to score some valuable confidential data is very tempting. So cyberthieves are thriving by exploiting weak points in software all across the internet. 

Why is software so vulnerable?
Software - whether a web browser, PDF reader, email program, cloud application, etc. - is inherently insecure the moment it's released, whether it's a free or paid version. 

Computer code is too complicated to be perfectly debugged. That's why all software companies and programmers issue fixes, patches, updates, etc. for their programs. There's no way around it. 

Given this fact, and the growing opportunity and enthusiasm for cybercrime, we users must be suspicious from the outset whenever we do anything online, especially posting, storing, and sharing our data.  

How to improve protection of your data?
First decide what's confidential. Usually this includes anything you don't want others to see besides yourself or trusted people. Confidential data can range from the obvious - a bank account number - to the seemingly innocuous, such as a carefree photo taken of you at the beach. Data is like a gun; its potential for good or ill depends on the intent of the person wielding it.

If you are running a business and need to store confidential data online for staff access make sure there is strong encryption during the transmission and storage of the data. (I will write more about encryption in a subsequent article.)

When should you take action?
As soon as possible, take stock of the data you store online. 

After you determine which files you consider confidential, decide your risk tolerance for storing those files online. Translation: If the site storing the files got hacked, how vulnerable would you feel? 

And this begs the question: Why are you storing any confidential data online? (There are secure ways of storing passwords, data, account info, etc. using websites like lastpass.com)

Where can you find more info on this topic?
Here's an article posted on a Boston University page outlining the concerns of storing data in the cloud and which addresses the importance of encryption. 

Who can help?
If this all seems too technical but you are concerned and want to be better protected, you may want to hire an IT consultant. This is an especially good investment if you are responsible for data security in an office environment. 

In Sum
We don't leave our car doors unlocked or windows rolled down in public parking lots. We don't leave our home doors and windows unsecured when we're on vacation. We have some common sense in these areas. In this new digital age, we need to develop common sense concerning our private data. Not doing so can be very damaging to our finances, our identity, and our reputation. 

Thanks for reading.
-Sam

Adobe Acrobat Reader Security Update - 11.0.10

Adobe has released a new security update for Acrobat Reader, now version 11.0.10

I recommend that you install it. 

Before doing so, close all open programs and save your work, as you may be prompted to restart the computer when the update installation is completed. 

You can check if your version of Adobe Reader is current by opening the program. 

Then click the Help menu at upper right. 

Then click Check for Updates. 

Adobe will check for updates, and download if needed. Note: You'll see the Updater at lower right of your screen. 

Once the Updater has downloaded the updates, click the Updater icon to install, then follow the prompts. 

You may be prompted to click Restart Now to complete the procedure. This will restart your computer. 

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Adobe Flash Player Security Update - 17.0.0.188

Adobe has released a new security update for Flash Player, version 17.0.0.188.

I recommend you install it. 

You can check if your Flash is current on the site listed just below. (Do so in each of your browsers, i.e., Firefox, Internet Explorer, etc. Note: if you update Google Chrome, it includes the latest Flash version.)

Check your Flash version:

http://www.adobe.com/software/flash/about

If you need to update, here's a link to Flash on Adobe's site:

https://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/otherversions

Again, be sure to install Flash per the version needed for each of your browsers.  

And very important, now and forever: Don't download Adobe Flash Player from any other site except the adobe domain (adobe.com)

Last, when updating Adobe products don't install any optional offers, such as McAfee. Just uncheck the box and proceed to download and install Flash, or Reader, etc. 

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Mozilla Firefox Browser Security Update - 38.0.1

Mozilla has issued another security update for its Firefox browser. 

I recommend you install the update. 

To do this, open Firefox. Then at upper right, click the three horizontal bars. At the bottom of that menu click the ? symbol (help). 

In the next window click About Firefox. The browser will check if it's up to date. If not, it will download updates and prompt you to install. 

Then Firefox will restart and be current (version 38.0.1). To verify, you can follow the above steps again. 

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