Installing a Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) certificate on your website is one of the best things you can do to increase security and instill confidence among your site visitors. While there are several types of SSL certificates available, ranging from wildcard certificates to multi-domain options, all of them are designed to protect your (and your visitors') data. Unfortunately, fraudulent SSL certificates have become a problem across the web, leaving major gaps in security for unsuspecting users. By understanding what a fraudulent SSL certificate is and what kinds of warning signs to look for, you can make sure the certificate you install on your site is genuine. What Are Fraudulent SSL Certificates? Hackers have discovered that they can create "fake" SSL certificates by obtaining the login credentials of a certificate authority. It is also possible for fake self-signing certificates to be developed and installed on a user's machine. In these instances,

Windows 11, which launched in June of 2021, boasts a number of upgrades compared to Windows 10. Perhaps what sets Windows 11 apart from its predecessor the most is its advanced security features. Currently, Windows 11 is available as a free upgrade for Windows users; however, not all computers have the system requirements needed to install the upgraded operating system (OS). The good news? Even if you can't (or don't want to) upgrade to Windows 11, you can still take advantage of many of its security features while using Windows 10. New Windows Security Features So, what are some of the most notable new security features you'll find on Windows 11? First, there's the addition of virtualization-based security (VBS) and hypervisor-protected code integrity (HVCI). This feature minimizes operating system vulnerabilities by creating and isolating memory regions from the OS itself. Another new security tool worth noting in Windows 11 is

Whether you're casually into cryptocurrency or consider yourself a cryptocurrency expert, you should be aware of a recent DDoS attack against Bitcoin.org. This popular cryptocurrency website provides people with information on how bitcoin works and how to obtain it. With a solid understanding of what led to this attack and what it could mean for you as a cryptocurrency investor, you can take steps to better protect yourself. More About the DDoS Attack on Bitcoin.org In July of 2021, a massive attack was launched against the Bitcoin.org website, resulting in the complete crashing of the site's server. Specifically, the type of attack used was a distributed denial of service (DDoS) attack, which involves flooding a server with request traffic until it crashes entirely. In addition to the DDoS attack that was carried out against Bitcoin.org, there was also a ransom attached. This came several months after another DDoS event brought

While Joker malware may not be a new security threat, it has recently gained newfound attention, as more apps have been discovered that contain it. By understanding what this malware is and how it works, you'll be in a better position to protect yourself. Let’s take a closer look. What Is Joker Malware? As one of the most prominent malware families in existence, Joker malware has been around for years. This cyber-attack works by hiding within apps found on the Google Play store. As a result, Joker malware exclusively affects Android users. When a user downloads and installs an app that contains this hidden malware, it is then installed on the user's device. From there, Joker malware can gain access to the files on the device, as well as text messages, contact lists, photos, and more. This spyware can result in a serious compromise of personal data. While Google has

Phishing schemes have been a major security concern for many years. However, instances of these attacks have recently seen a substantial increase amid the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. One type of phishing attack, in particular, has been aimed at those using Google Docs and Google Drive. If you rely on Google Docs or Google Drive to conduct any of your business, you must be aware of this growing threat – and take measures to protect your data. Google Docs Phishing Scams Are On-the-Rise With many teams working remotely due to the coronavirus pandemic, more people have been using platforms like Google Docs and Google Drive to share files and collaborate online. While it's true that Google has several safeguards in place on these web apps to protect data, some phishing schemes are able to bypass them by relying on human error. Specifically, when these attacks are carried out, a person may

While many people tend to think of cyber threats as isolated incidents, this isn't always the case. In fact, it appears that the entire landscape of cybersecurity is changing; in recent years, attacks have even become a part of a thriving underground economy. This is especially true when it comes to ransomware, which many hackers have begun selling as a service to make substantial profits. So, what is ransomware as a service (RaaS), how could it threaten your business, and what can you do to protect yourself from it? Read on to learn more. What Is Ransomware as a Service (Raas)? In the past, those carrying out ransomware attacks needed to know how to create and deploy their own malware. Today, this is not the case. Instead, hackers have realized that they can sell their malware to other cybercriminals. This is known as ransomware as a service. Often, malware developers

The term "encryption" typically has positive connotations. After all, encrypting your data is a great way to keep it safe and secure. With that in mind, you would think that "double encryption" would be even better...right? Unfortunately, double encryption actually refers to a new type of ransomware attack that has emerged in the digital space. By understanding what this attack entails and how to protect yourself, you can avoid falling victim to one. What Is Double Encryption? A double encryption ransomware attack occurs when two different ransomware groups target the same user simultaneously. When this happens, the victim may pay off one group with the expectation that their data will be recovered shortly after. However, once they’ve paid off the first attacker, they learn their information is still being held for ransom by a second party. As you can imagine, recovering files and other compromised information after one of these

With malware and web attacks becoming more common than ever before, there has perhaps never been a more pertinent time to revisit and beef up your organization's cybersecurity strategy. As part of your cybersecurity solutions, you may also want to implement deep packet inspection (DPI) for added peace of mind and protection against data leaks, malware, and other potential security threats. What Is Deep Packet Inspection? Specifically, DPI refers to a method of examining and filtering traffic as it passes through a "checkpoint" on your server. Deep packet inspection is the most thorough filtering method currently in existence. In addition to looking at the source IP address, port number, destination IP address, and other basic information, DPI looks even further at individual packets and their data and metadata. As a result of this deeper inspection, DPI can often identify threats that could otherwise be overlooked as traffic passes through a

Google Alerts can be a convenient way to receive notifications on your phone any time new content is posted about something you're interested in. Unfortunately, within the past year, hackers have begun using fraudulent Google Alerts to deliver malware to unsuspecting web users. By understanding how these malware attacks are being carried out and avoiding falling victim, you can keep your important information safe. Google Alerts and Malware: What Happened? In 2020, fraudsters began using black search engine optimization (SEO) and Google Sites to create fake Google Alerts notifications. Specifically, these hackers create fake websites, usually for things like contests, giveaways, and other types of spoofed content from popular sources. From there, scammers use black-hat SEO strategies to help these sites capture the attention of Google's search algorithms. Google Alerts will pick up these sites as legitimate sources, not realizing the links lead to malware, and send out alerts to

You rely on your server to keep your data safe and secure. Unfortunately, many scenarios could render a traditional server compromised. From natural disasters to cybersecurity attacks, your sensitive data is never more than one disaster away from potential loss. The good news? There are proactive steps you can take to protect your data and ensure that it is not lost in the event of a disaster or other emergency. Specifically, more people are relying on a redundancy known as automatic failover. By learning more about what automatic failover is and how it can protect your data, you can begin using it for added security and peace of mind. What Is Automatic Failover and How Does It Work? Specifically, automatic failover refers to a practice that allows data handling to automatically be switched to another server or standby system in the event of a disaster or other emergency that could