Category: Malware

Why You Should Update Your Web Browser right NOW!

Why You Should Update Your Web Browser right NOW!

A person using Google Chrome on a Windows 7 desktop PC.

Have you updated your web browser recently? Most browsers update themselves, but be sure to check that your browser is handling it! Regular updates are vital for everything, from making sure you can see the modern web to protecting your devices and privacy.

Browser Updates Are The Easiest Way To Protect Your Computers and Devices!

Today in 2021, there are TWO primary ways for anyone in the world to access/compromise your Device/Computer: a. Your Web Browser and b. Your Modem/Router. In this exclusive Cyber Security Article, we will be reviewing your Browser. Specifically, the primary focus is to ENSURE YOUR WEB BROWSER IS UP TO DATE NOW AND ON A REGULAR BASIS (AT LEAST ONCE EVERY MONTH).

You should be aware that running an out-of-date web browser could put your system at risk. Bad actors will use vulnerabilities in web browsers to target users with malware such as ransomware, privacy exploits, and other attacks.

So-called “drive-by downloads” will attempt to download malicious content onto your computer regardless of whether you consent to it. All you need to do is visit a compromised website or be served a malicious advert, and you don’t even need to be visiting unsavory corners of the web, since many of these attacks are spread via social media.

Then there’s the practice known as “malvertising,” which inserts malicious code into legitimate-looking adverts. According to a report by the leading cyber security news source Confiant, 1 in 200 online advertisements is malicious. Depending on where you live in the world, you might see many more malicious adverts. Patching your browser can help defend against such vulnerabilities, particularly once they become common knowledge.

Extensions and plugins that you have installed alongside a browser could also pose a risk. Adobe finally put Flash to rest in January of 2021, with security vulnerabilities playing a large part in that decision. All versions of Flash since May of 2020 have had a killswitch in them that disabled the plugin permanently after December 31, 2020.

If you’re running a version of Flash released prior to this (32.0.0.371 or earlier) on a browser that hasn’t been updated since then, you’re assuming a huge level of risk every time you browse the web. If you’re holding out because you’re fond of Flash, you should know that there are ways of using Flash that don’t put you at risk.

Browser updates can disable extensions and plugins with known vulnerabilities or change the underlying code in a way that renders these exploits ineffective.

Privacy exploits in browsers are also common. In May of 2021, FingerprintJS discovered a vulnerability in Safari, Chrome, Firefox, and Tor Browser that could link a user’s identity across different desktop browsers, effectively bypassing privacy protections put in place by those same browsers. By the time FingerprintJS had discovered the issue, Chrome’s developers had already added a fix to their update roadmap. Of course, you won’t get the benefit if you don’t apply the update.

Browser-based attacks can also do some pretty eyebrow-raising things when taken to extremes. There are many examples of devices being jailbroken that use browser exploits, such as the iPhone OS 3 jailbreak that exploited a flaw in the way that Safari rendered PDF files. This provided hackers with the system-level access that they needed to install custom firmware on Apple’s smartphone.

Even if you’re not attempting to jailbreak, from a security standpoint, Safari is probably your iPhone’s weakest link.

Outdated Browser? You Could Be Missing Out

Another great reason to update your browser is to ensure that you’re getting the best possible web browsing experience. Web technologies are constantly changing, with technologies like HTML5 and WebGL pushing the boundaries of what’s possible on a web page.

It was through HTML5’s <video> tags that YouTube and other streaming sites were able to move beyond Flash. This move massively improved page performance and device compatibility, providing a plugin-free video streaming experience. These modern browser advancements make it possible to run emulators and games in your browser without having to download and maintain additional software like Flash or Java. Per our previous GeeksByTheHour.com article on Windows 11, Android Apps will run integrated with it (aka without a 3rd Party Software Emulator needed for Windows OS up to Windows 10) such as the award-winning BlueStacks found here: https://www.bluestacks.com/

Playing DOS Games in the Internet Archive via a Browser

An outdated browser can also present you with website compatibility problems. Sometimes, this manifests as page instability, crashing, or rendering issues where the page doesn’t display correctly. Other times, you’ll see a “your browser isn’t supported” error message without being able to access the website at all.

If you’re heavily reliant on web apps like Google Docs or Microsoft 365, then you’ll want the latest updates to ensure that browser-based software runs as smoothly as possible.

Don’t forget about the features baked into the browser, too. Apple regularly adds new features to Safari with each major operating system upgrade, like the ability to share tabs seamlessly between devices or pay for items on your desktop using Apple Pay on an iPhone. Google also rolls out new features regularly, with some web apps reliant on the latest version of Chrome to unlock features like offline mode.

Gmail Offline Mode

Version mismatches can also be a headache—for example, running an outdated version of Safari on your Mac and the latest version on your iPhone. Features like Handoff and iCloud Keychain might not work correctly if you’re running an outdated version (We GeeksByTheHour.com geeks have seen this happen ourselves internally during testing).

There’s a reason that developers implore users to update to the latest version of their apps if they’re having technical issues. It’s one of the first places you should start when troubleshooting any tech issue.

How to Update Your Web Browser

Most browsers update automatically in the background, but you can always force an update by manually checking. In some cases, browser updates are tied to operating system upgrades, with a few caveats for security updates.

How to Manually Update Google Chrome

By default, Chrome will update itself.

If you want to make certain it is updated (very recommended):

You can run a manual update check using Chrome’s “Safety check” tool. To access this, launch Chrome, and then click on the “three dots” menu button in the top-right corner of the window.

Click “Settings” and look for the “Safety check” section.Click on the “Check Now” button, and Chrome will check for any new updates.

Update Google Chrome

How to Update Mozilla Firefox

Firefox will also try to update itself, but you can search for a Firefox update manually, too:

First, click the “three lines” menu button in the top-right corner of the window, and then click the “Preferences” option. In the “General” section, scroll down to “Firefox Updates” and wait.

Firefox will download any available updates. If an update is applied, you will see a “Restart to Update Firefox” button, which you can use to finalize the update. You can also manually enable “Automatically install updates” below if it’s disabled for some reason.

Update Firefox

How to Update Apple Safari

Updating Safari can be a bit confusing depending on which version of macOS you are running. Generally speaking, Safari is kept up to date using regular macOS updates, which you can find under System Preferences > Software Update.

Update Safari via Software Update

Major new versions of Safari are delivered via major new releases of macOS, usually each fall. Security updates are still delivered to older versions of Safari using the aforementioned Software Update tool in your Mac’s System Preferences.

 

Caveat: If you are running an older version of macOS (or OS X), you might find that updates are delivered via the Updates tab in the App Store.

How to Update Microsoft Edge

If you use Microsoft Edge, you can manually check for an Edge update by first launching the browser and then using the “Help” drop-down menu at the top of the window (on Windows) or screen (on a Mac), and then clicking the “Update Microsoft Edge” button.

Shortcut: You can also get there using the ellipsis “…” icon, followed by Settings > About Microsoft Edge.Update Microsoft Edge

 

Update Your Mobile Browsers, Too

Your mobile browser is just as important as your desktop browser. Both Android and Apple’s mobile ecosystem have had their fair share of attacks and vulnerabilities, so make sure that you’re applying updates across all devices.

If you use an iPhone or iPad, make sure that you install the latest iOS or iPadOS updates, since these will update the rendering engine that’s used by all browser apps on the system. You can do this under Settings > General > System Update.

iOS System Update Notification

For Android, make sure that your browser of choice is kept updated via the Google Play store. Launch the Play Store app, and then tap on the “three lines” menu button, followed by “My apps & games” in the top-left corner. Find your browser in the “Updates” section and tap “Update” to manually apply the latest version.

Update Automatically and Forget About It

Automatic updates take a lot of the pain out of keeping your software in great shape. Since most browser information is now synced with the cloud by default to make tab retrieval and bookmark sharing simple, there is little risk in allowing software to update itself (even if something goes wrong).

Staying ahead of security and feature updates applies not only to your browser but to your operating system, too. Allowing us GeeksByTheHour to help you keep Windows, Android and Mac/Apple Browsers up to date will significant;y assist the security of your technology.

 

How to Add Exclusions in Windows Defender on Windows 10

                      How to Add Exclusions in Windows Defender on Windows 10

 

Windows Defender

The Windows Defender main page is pictured above (all content and images are the rights of SkyTheTechGuy.com and GeeksByTheHour.com respectively). Windows Defender is intentionally fully integrated into Windows 10, constantly running in the background by default and scanning your files for malware against its Cloud database per updates in real time unless one disables it (not recommended).

Geeks aka Windows experts like Dr. Sky and John do not take responsibility in any way if you attempt to exclude any file or files from Windows Defender. We usually only do this to improve performance for tasks like compiling programming code, running virtual machines, etc. DO NOT DISABLE GROUPS OF FILE TYPES, only specific files unless you consult experts like us at GeeksByTheHour.com

Exclusions can also help if you’re running into false positives where Windows Defender marks legitimate files as malware.

**Warning: Be careful about what you exclude. Windows Defender won’t scan your excluded files and directories for malware. You wouldn’t want to exclude everything in your Downloads folder, for example!**

I. First, we need to launch Windows Security to change some settings. Open the Start menu and type “Windows Security.” Then, select the “Windows Security” app.

Launch Windows Security from Start menu in Windows 10

 

II. In Windows Security, navigate to “Virus & Threat Protection.” Then, click “Manage Settings.”

Click manage settings in Windows Security on Windows 10

 

III. In “Virus & Threat Protection Settings,” scroll down to the very bottom of the page, and click “Add or Remove Exclusions.”

 

Select add or remove exclusions to Windows Defender in Windows 10

 

IV. On the Exclusions page, you can add or remove files that you want to exclude from Windows Defender scans. To add an exclusion, click the “Add An Exclusion” button beside the large plus symbol (+).

Click Add an exclusion in Windows Security Settings for Windows 10

–>A small menu will pop up allowing you to define your exclusion by File, Folder, File type, or Process.

Exclusion types menu in Windows Security for Windows 10

V. What you choose depends on what type of exclusion you are trying to make. Here’s what each choice does.

  • File: If you select this, a box will pop up allowing you to browse your computer to select a single file that will be excluded from future scans. Select the file you’d like, then click “Open.”

  • Folder: Like the File option, this will let your browse your computer for a specific folder to exclude from scans. The folder’s contents and subfolders will be excluded as well.

  • File type: A box will pop up asking you to enter a file extension (e.g., “.MID”) representing the file type that you’d like to exclude. All files of that type will be excluded from future scans. This one is dangerous because you might accidentally exclude a large class of potentially hazardous files, such as PDF or DOC files.

  • Process: A pop-up will ask you to enter the name of a process (a running program, i.e., “explorer.exe”) to exclude from scans. If a certain program you know is safe keeps getting flagged by Defender, you can enter it here.

Select one of these options and make the necessary selections in the pop-up dialog that follows.

Selecting a file to exclude from Windows Defender scans in Windows Security Settings for Windows 10

VI. Once you add an exclusion, it will show up in a list on the Exclusions page.

A list of Windows Defender scan exclusions in Windows 10

 

VII. If you’d like to remove an exclusion you’ve already defined, hover your mouse cursor over the item until the downward-pointing carat arrow appears, then click the “Remove” button that pops up.

Removing an exclusion from Windows Defender scan settings in Windows 10

ALL DONE!

Now that you are all done, close Windows Security and your settings will be saved automatically. The next time your system does a Defender scan, the item(s) you added to the exclusions list will no longer cause trouble and will be bypassed from Defender and can be ran and used as needed.

The Best 5 Antivirus Software Programs of 2021

How GeeksByTheHour Rated the Best 5 Antivirus Software Programs of 2021:

  • Strong malware protection. We only recommend products that have proven to protect against the most advanced malware threats — not only viruses, but also spyware, rootkits, ransomware, and anything else that could cause me or my devices harm. We personally conducted dozens of malware tests, stress-tests, and CPU performance tests to make sure that these products can provide rock-solid protection against all viruses, malware, and other dangerous internet security threats with no bias, and just the results.
  • High-quality features. Most antivirus brands offer additional internet security features in their paid antivirus packages. But the majority of times, these extras are just flashy additions that will weigh your computer down and affect your device’s performance (not to mention increase the price). I personally tested each of the features for each of the products on this list to guarantee that each antivirus’s features are genuinely useful and effective, not just expensive, flashy extras.
  • Speed and efficiency. The best antivirus programs are lightweight and run smoothly — even on older or slower computers — across all of the software’s intended operating systems. I personally tested and measured how quick and efficient each antivirus on this list performed against all the other antivirus programs on the market.
  • Easy-to-use. Whether you’re an amateur or an expert, you need virus protection for your computers, your phones, and your tablets. We personally tested each antivirus software here to make sure that pretty much anyone will be able to set it up easily and use it properly.
  • Good value. Antivirus software can be a big investment. We considered all relevant factors such as web and browsing protection features, how many devices are covered, and whether or not there’s a free trial or money-back guarantee. We personally feel that all of these top antivirus programs provide great value!
  • For MAC Users Only: ? Intego — Best antivirus for Mac as determined by Dr. Sky Houston after comparing it to all of the other Mac results (only for macOS systems).
  • For WINDOWS Users Only: WINDOWS DEFENDER is the best Antivirus as long as you maintain its Updates, use WinPatrol, and use MALWAREBYTES as a 1-2-3 Best of Breed PC Security Defense!

  1. Kaspersky Total Security

The best antivirus protection overall outside of the above-mentioned Intego (only if you are a Mac user).

Features:

Anti-theft: Yes

Backup software: Yes

Firewall: Yes

Game mode: Yes

Hardened browser: Yes

Parental controls: Yes

Password manager: Yes

Ransomware rollback: Yes

Webcam protection: Yes

Virtual keyboard: Yes

VPN: Limited upsell

Wi-Fi scanner: Yes

 Reasons to buy

+Excellent malware protection   +New stalkerware protection   +Password manager, parental controls

Reasons to avoid

-Limited VPN usage-Microphone protection hard to enable (we here at GeeksByTheHour are unbiased and only report testing results. With this being said, NONE of the Antivirus Software listed should be purchased based only on its VPN offerings. Instead, we advise strongly NordVPN if privacy and security in a VPN are important to you!

Kaspersky’s Windows products have excellent malware-detection scores and a light-to-moderate system-performance impact, the two most important criteria in our rankings.

The best antivirus software you can buy
Kaspersky offers excellent malware protection, lots of useful extra features and a light system impact with an easy-to-use interface.

 

  1. Bitdefender Antivirus Plus

The best value in antivirus software currently available.

Features:

Anti-theft: No

Backup software: No

Firewall: No

Game mode: Yes

Hardened browser: Yes

Parental controls: No

Password manager: Yes

Ransomware rollback: Yes

Webcam protection: No

Virtual keyboard: Yes

VPN: Limited upsell

Wi-Fi scanner: Yes

Reasons to buy

+Very good malware protection     +Lots of useful extra features       +GeeksByTheHour ranks it #2 overall in terms of virus protection, just 6 points lower than Kaspersky listed above!

Reasons to avoid

-Heavy background system impact

Bitdefender Antivirus Plus is our top choice among entry-level antivirus products. It has very good, if not perfect, malware-detection scores. Its active scans don’t add much to the background system impact, but that background load is a bit heavy.

It also offers the most value, with an unlimited password manager, a secure browser with a virtual keyboard, a Wi-Fi network scanner, a file shredder, protection against encrypting ransomware and Bitdefender’s new web-privacy software — features often found only with pricier antivirus packages.

The midrange Bitdefender Internet Security adds parental controls, webcam protection and a two-way firewall, while Bitdefender Total Security tops off the lineup with an anti-theft feature for laptops, a system optimizer and licenses for Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac and Bitdefender Mobile Security for Android.

A fourth product, Bitdefender Premium Security, is basically Total Security with unlimited VPN usage and priority tech support. (The other programs limit you to 200MB of Bitdefender VPN usage per day.)

But the best deal is the Bitdefender Family Pack, which puts Total Security on up to 15 devices for (a frequently discounted) $120 per year.

 

  1. Norton 360 Deluxe

Lots of products, but no file shredder, file encryption or secure web browser options.

Features

Anti-theft: No

Backup software: Yes

Firewall: Yes

Game mode: Yes

Hardened browser: No

Parental controls: Yes

Password manager: Yes

Ransomware rollback: No

Webcam protection: Yes

VPN: Unlimited

Reasons to buy

+Excellent malware protection    +LifeLock identity protection with top tiers

+Parental controls, backup software, online storage, password manager, webcam protection, unlimited VPN.

 Reasons to avoid

-Heavy slowdown during full scans         -Pricey

All nine of Norton’s antivirus products offer excellent malware protection, and the once-heavy system-performance load is much lighter. The number of extra features each program has varies according to price, but the sweet spot in the lineup is Norton 360 Deluxe. 

It includes a password manager, unlimited VPN service, dark-web personal-data monitoring, parental controls and up to 50GB of online storage space. Two retail-only offerings, Norton 360 Premium and Norton 360 Platinum, give you more online storage and expand the antivirus and VPN coverage to 10 and 20 devices, respectively.

If you want full-on identity protection, Norton offers three bundles with varying degrees of LifeLock service and even more online storage space. Their annual subscription prices run well into the triple digits, but still cost less than if you were to buy the identity protection, password manager, cloud-backup storage and antivirus software separately.

Unlike some of the other best antivirus software makers, Norton doesn’t offer a file shredder, file encryption or secure web browser with any of its products. Yet every other digital-protection service you could possibly ask for is included with at least some of its bundles.

 

  1. McAfee Internet Security

A bargain for big families, but far from perfect protection

Features

Anti-theft: No

Backup software: No

Firewall: Yes

Game mode: Yes

Hardened browser: No

Parental controls: No

Password manager: Yes

Ransomware rollback: Yes

Webcam protection: No

Virtual keyboard: No

VPN: No

Reasons to buy

+Protects lots of machines for cheap    +Password manager       +Improving malware protection

 Reasons to avoid

-Very heavy performance hit       -No parental controls on mid-priced tier.

McAfee’s malware detection has improved greatly in the past couple of years, but it’s still not quite top-of-the-line. 

Despite that, the entry-level McAfee AntiVirus Plus is a bargain: $60 per year buys software for up to 10 (in practice, unlimited) devices, whether they run Windows, macOS, iOS or Android, and the software comes with a file shredder and a two-way firewall. 

McAfee Internet Security adds one of the best password managers in the business, but to get parental controls, you’ll have to spring for McAfee Total Protection or its sibling McAfee LiveSafe, which comes pre-installed on many (most) new PCs.

The multi-device licenses of those two security suites also come with an identity-protection service. But none of the McAfee products have a secure browser or webcam protection, which you often get with other premium antivirus programs.

At the top is McAfee Total Protection Ultimate, which adds unlimited VPN service with no strings attached (but remember, we do NOT recommend any VPN Services here). Hardcore PC gamers may consider McAfee Gamer Security, which for $60 per year offers low-overhead protection for a single rig.

 

  1. Trend Micro Maximum Security

Solid protection, but scan slowdowns

Features

Backup software: No

Firewall: No

Game mode: Yes

Hardened browser: Yes

Parental controls: Yes

Password manager: Yes

Webcam protection: No

Virtual keyboard: No

VPN: Yes

Reasons to buy

+Very good malware protection         +Secure browser, password manager                  +Dark Web scans

 Reasons to avoid

-Heavy performance hit during scans – Many false positives on 125+ GeeksByTheHour’s rigorous tests.

Trend Micro offers very good protection, but its malware-detection engine creates a heavy system load during scans and returns a fair number of false-positive results.

The brand’s entry-level program, Trend Micro Antivirus+ Security, has basic tools but does have a secure web browser. Parental controls, a system optimizer and a file shredder are bundled into the mid-range Trend Micro Internet Security.

Trend Micro Maximum Security adds a password manager, a secure browser and file encryption, while the new Trend Micro Premium Security adds a VPN and dark-web monitoring of personal data.

However, none of Trend Micro’s programs include a two-way firewall or webcam protection, standard with other brands’ midrange offerings. Nor does the premium product have the cloud storage or backup software that some of the best antivirus brands add as enticements to their flagship packages.

10 Latest (Most Dangerous) Virus & Malware Threats in 2021

Viruses and malware are constantly evolving, becoming more advanced and more dangerous by the second, making it extremely difficult to keep your data protected. Unless you’re properly protected (which most people aren’t), you’re at risk of becoming a victim of the latest computer virus threats and malware attacks.

Cybercriminals are relentless and will stop at nothing to hack your computer or phone to steal your most valuable data — including bank details, personal photos, and sensitive ID card information. This is why you must have a working antivirus installed on your PC, Mac, Android, or iPhone. Our top recommended Anti-Virus Programs are:

  1. Kaspersky Total Security
    The best antivirus protection overall.
  2. Bitdefender Antivirus Plus (The best value overall)
  3. Norton 360 Deluxe
  4. McAfee Internet Security
  5. Trend Micro Maximum Security
  6. ESET Smart Security Premium
  7. Sophos Home Premium

Here are the 10 most dangerous computer viruses and new malware threats in 2021 that you need to protect yourself from.

1. Clop Ransomware

Ransomware is malware which encrypts your files until you pay a ransom to the hackers. “Clop” is one of the latest and most dangerous ransomware threats. It’s a variant of the well-known CryptoMix ransomware, which frequently targets Windows users.

Before beginning the encryption process, the Clop ransomware blocks over 600 Windows processes and disables multiple Windows 10 applications, including Windows Defender and Microsoft Security Essentials — leaving you with zero chance of protecting your data.

The Clop ransomware has evolved since its inception, now targeting entire networks — not just individual devices. Even the well-known academic institution Maastricht University in the Netherlands became a victim of the Clop ransomware, with almost all Windows devices on the university’s network being encrypted and forced to pay a ransom.

2. Fake Windows Updates (Hidden Ransomware)

Hackers have been increasingly sending emails that instruct readers to install urgent Windows OS updates. The emails trick readers into installing the “latest” Windows updates, which are actually ransomware ‘.exe’ files in disguise.

The ransomware contained in these emails is known as “Cyborg”. It encrypts all of your files and programs and demands a ransom payment to un-encrypt the files.

Unfortunately, many email service providers and basic antivirus software aren’t able to detect and block these emails. This is why you must be using an antivirus that provides proper internet security, protecting you from dangerous emails.

3. Zeus Gameover

Zeus Gameover is part of the “Zeus” family of malware and viruses. This piece of malware is a Trojan — malware disguised as something legitimate — that accesses your sensitive bank account details and steals all of your funds.

The worst thing about this particular variant of the Zeus malware family is that it doesn’t require a centralized “Command and Control” server to complete transactions — which is a flaw found in many cyberattacks that authorities can target. Instead, Zeus Gameover can bypass centralized servers and create independent servers to send sensitive information. In essence, you cannot trace your stolen data.

4. RaaS

“RaaS” — also known as “Ransomware as a Service” — is a growing industry in the underground hacker community. People without the knowledge to carry out a sophisticated ransomware attack can pay to hire a professional hacker or team of hackers to perform the attack for them.

The growth of the underground RaaS industry is worrying, as it shows how easy it is to infect people with ransomware despite the bad actors having no previous experience with designing or coding malware.

5. News Malware Attacks

Cybercriminals often use current news stories and global events to target people with malware.

One example is hackers using the wave of the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) outbreak to target individuals with malware. Hackers send out emails that are disguised as legitimate information about the outbreak. Readers are prompted to click a link to learn more about the information, but the link contains malware that copies the files on your device and steals your personal information.

Research currently focuses on the spread of this malware in Japan. Still, it will become an issue worldwide during any kind of newsworthy outbreak.

6. Fleeceware

Fleeceware continues to charge app users large amounts of money despite users deleting those apps. Recent research has found that over 600 million Android users have downloaded “Fleeceware” onto their device in the past few years.

Although Fleeceware doesn’t pose a considerable security threat to a user’s device and data, it’s still very common, and it’s a shady practice by app developers wanting to cash in on unsuspecting users.

7. IoT Device Attacks

As the popularity of IoT (Internet of Things) devices grows in 2021 — things like smart speakers and video doorbells — hackers are looking to exploit these devices for valuable information.

There are multiple reasons why hackers choose to target IoT devices. For one, most IoT devices don’t have enough storage to install proper security measures. These devices often contain easy-to-access data such as passwords and usernames, which then can be used by hackers to log into user accounts and steal valuable information, such as banking details.

Hackers can also use internet-based cameras and mics to spy on and communicate with people — including young children via smart baby monitors.

These devices can also act as weak points in a corporation’s network, meaning hackers can gain access to entire systems through unsecured IoT devices — spreading malware to other devices across the network.

8. Social Engineering

Humans are possibly the weakest link in any security protocol. This is why cybercriminals are now turning to human psychology and deception to try and gain access to personal information.

The hacker will start by contacting a company or service provider and pretend to be a specific person. They’ll ask questions regarding the victim’s account and trick the customer support team into handing over pieces of sensitive information. Then, they’ll exploit that information to gain access to a person’s account and data, including payment details.

Although this isn’t a type of malware per se, social engineering is an alarming trend, as it doesn’t require hackers to know about coding or malware development. Instead, all the attacker needs is to be convincing and allow human error and complacency to reward them with the data they need.

9. Cryptojacking

Cryptojacking malware is designed to use a person’s computing power to help “mine” cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin. Mining requires a huge amount of computing power to generate new crypto coins, which is why hackers are attempting to install cryptojacking malware on computers and mobile devices to help with the mining process — slowing down the user’s device considerably.

Although cryptojacking attacks dropped significantly in previous years — mainly due to the sharp fall in the value of cryptocurrencies, this trend remains a threat. Cryptocurrency prices continue to rise through 2021, with Bitcoin booming over $40,000 as recently as January. Given the value of cryptocurrency, cryptojacking malware attacks will continue to be lucrative for cybercriminals.

10. Artificial Intelligence (AI) Attacks

As more tools become available to developers who want to program AI scripts and software, hackers will be able to use this same technology to carry out devastating cyberattacks.

Although cybersecurity companies are using artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms to help combat malware, these technologies can also be exploited to hack devices and networks on a massive scale.  

Cyberattacks can often cost cybercriminals a lot in terms of time and resources. So, with the expansion of AI and machine learning technologies, we can only expect hackers to develop highly-advanced and destructive AI-based malware in 2021 and beyond.

Do You Have A Dell Machine? You Have To Watch This!

‘Millions’ of Dell PCs will grant malware, rogue users admin-level access if asked nicely.

Learn more here!
https://www.theregister.com/2021/05/04/dell_driver_flaw/

 

Please know this is a serious threat to your computer and data!

We can make sure your drivers are all up to date to help prevent hackers accessing your computer for various reasons, all bad!

Call today to set up a time for us to login to your computer and get to work securing your computer!