Snapchat 4.6 million usernames and phone numbers hacked.

If you haven't heard by now, Snapchat, a mobile app that allows you to share pictures via iPhone and Android it uses your mobile devices data plan, has been hacked.
The  bad part is, Snapchats was told about two weeks ago by Gibson Security it had problems with it's security when they hacked Snapchat on Christmas Eve. Snapchat ignored the warning.
Gibson Security then proceeded to hack them and stole all their user info which they posted online New Years Day, leaving out several digits of phone numbers and other personal info.
Snapchat management has since shut down their site.
Read the following links for more info.


http://news.msn.com/science-technology/security-exploit-compromises-snapchat-users-info?ocid=ansnews11

http://www.cnn.com/2014/01/01/tech/social-media/snapchat-hack/index.html

Read More

73% Of U.S. Adults Use Social Networks.

Hello and I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas.
I think the title speaks for its self.
More and more adults are using social media either to reconnect with family & friends, stay connected with them, or  to see what's going on around them, just to name a few things.
Check out the article to see which one leads the pack for popularity.
Have a safe and Happy New Year.

http://techcrunch.com/2013/12/30/pew-social-networking/

Read More

iPhone 5C will be just $27 this Friday in Walmart

Yes, you read the title right: "iPhone 5C will be just $27 this Friday in Walmart."

Before you get too excited, this is a deal on the iPhone 5C, not the more premium iPhone 5S.
The 5C is the basic one and normally sells for $99.00. Still, $27 is a good price if you don't need all the bells and whistles. If you want 5S, it too will be on sale for $127.00 down from $199.00.


Read the following article for all the details.

http://www.geek.com/apple/iphone-5c-will-be-just-27-this-friday-in-walmart-1579527/

Read More

Somebody is watching you and using your own smartphone to do it.

Have you ever had that feeling that someone was watching you. If you have the mSpy application installed on your smartphone or tablet, they could be.

mSpy is a mobile surveillance application that runs on smartphones and tablets including iPhone, Android, BlackBerry, Symbian, iPad and Galaxy Tab devices.

From the company's disclaimer:

My Spy (mSpy) is designed for monitoring your children, employees or others on a smartphone or mobile device that you own or have proper consent to monitor. You are required to notify users of the device that they are being monitored.

Its maker claims that the app is 100% undetectable by the device user, as a sale rep told The Next Web:

After complete installation the application runs in a stealth mode, so it is undetectable and completely invisible for the target phone’s user.

This is some scary stuff. That's why I still carry one of these.
 

http://nakedsecurity.sophos.com/2013/12/05/mspy-app-lets-someone-remotely-snoop-on-you-through-your-phone-or-tablet/

Read More

Cyber Monday sting seizes 706 counterfeit sites.

This article points out just how serious the bad guys are to take your money. 706 counterfeit sites were seized on Cyber Monday. These sites sell all kinds of stuff like: counterfeit headphones, sports jerseys, personal care products, shoes, toys, luxury goods, cell phones and electronic accessories.

This explains why the Nike shoes I got last year had the swooshes upside down.

http://nakedsecurity.sophos.com/2013/12/04/cyber-monday-sting-seizes-706-counterfeit-sites/

Read More

2 million passwords stolen in massive hack

Yes, a file containing 2 million passwords has been found on the Internet for use by hackers. The list of sites associated with the file is as follows: Facebook,, Google,, Yahoo, Twitter,  LinkedIn, and others.


http://money.msn.com/top-stocks/post--2-million-passwords-stolen-in-massive-hack?ocid=ansmony11

This article also has a list of the most popular passwords which they suggest you change if your is on the list.

Read More

On Cyber Monday, here’s how to not get cyber scammed.

Good morning and I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving.
Black Friday week is over and now we move onto the latest special shopping day: Cyber Monday!

Tis the day to get monster deals online.

But just because Cyber Monday lacks the threat of being trampled to death by a hoard of penny pinchers or the threat of getting into a stun gun fight like the two women in the Franklin Mills Mall in Northeast Philadelphia this past Black Friday, that doesn’t mean you’re safe. Scammers, hackers, and swindlers of all types are lurking in grungy basements around the world, ready to dupe anyone who fails to properly protect their e-commerce transactions.
Here’s everything you need to do to make sure your Cyber Monday goes off without a hitch.

Get updated
Software updates can be annoying, but they often include key protections against the latest security threats. To have the best chance of escaping Cyber Monday without any battle wounds, install updates for your Web browsers, email clients, and operating systems.

Antivirus all the way
Many of the online threats this year come from malware that can steal your payment information and otherwise wreak havoc on your life. To limit the chances of getting pawned by a virus, make sure you have antivirus software installed and activated. There are many quality free versions to choose from, which you can check out here:
http://freebies.about.com/od/computerfreebies/tp/best-free-antivirus.htm

Ignore emails and pop-ups
Even if you have antivirus software up and running, there’s no guarantee that you’re completely safe. To further avoid allowing any life-screwing viruses onto your machine, don’t click any pop-up ads, as they may contain malicious software. Put any Cyber Monday emails that include attachments directly in the trash – they may contain a virus. And always check the email address of any Cyber Monday deal offerings.

Look for the lock
This one is a no-brainer – and absolutely crucial. Anytime you go to check out online, “make sure the website you’re using has an SSL ‘padlock’ icon, which ensures information passed between a server and a browser remains private,” says J.D. Sherry, a vice president at cybersecurity firm Trend Micro. “The symbol should appear in the far left corner of your browser’s search bar.”
Another way to know that your connection is secure is to look at the URL in your browser, which should show “HTTPS,” rather than just “HTTP.” If you don’t see the padlock icon or HTTPS, don’t enter any personal or payment information, close the window, and shop somewhere else.

Credit, not debit
Credit and debit cards are so similar that it’s easy to forget how different they are. But when it comes to getting hit with fraudulent charges, the differences couldn’t be more important. With debit cards, it’s your money that’s being stolen, and it can often be difficult to recover those lost funds – right when you need them the most. With a credit card, on the other hand, no money is being taken from your bank account. And credit card companies are merciless when it comes to combating fraudulent activity.
In other words, if you’re shopping online, only use a credit card – it’s the safest bet. And keep close tabs on your statements – if anything looks out of the ordinary, call your credit card provider or bank immediately.

Switch it up
We all know that using quality passwords is essential – but it’s even more important when shopping online. Because of this, Sherry suggests you “use different passwords for every login you have to ensure your accounts are not compromised when you need them most.” If you’re not sure what makes a password good quality, check out our guide to crafting excellent passwords, and then change any passwords you’ve already created to make sure they are the best that they can be.
An even better option is to use a password manager app that will do all the heavy lifting for you. The best ones cost a bit of money, but they’ll keep you safe while saving you the hassle of remembering a billion different login credentials.

How to make a good password: http://netforbeginners.about.com/od/antivirusantispyware/tp/5-steps-to-a-strong-password.htm

Password Manger Apps:
http://password-management-software-review.toptenreviews.com/


Stick with what you know
There will be a ton of deals from all over the Web flying around on Cyber Monday, and a lot of them will seem too good to pass up. If staying safe and secure is a top priority, however, you’re best off only buying from online stores that you know and trust. Sure, SuperCheapGadgets.com might have the best deal – but can you trust it? Don’t take a risk and find out the hard way, even if it means spending a few bucks extra for the peace of mind.

Go for home base
As tempting as it may be to pop into a Starbucks to get some online shopping done in the middle of your offline present buying, don’t do it. Public Wi-Fi connections are ripe targets for cybercriminals looking to steal buyers’ personal information. Instead, only shop online from an Internet connection you know and trust – preferably a home connection that’s protected with a good password.

Beware of eBay, Craigslist, and so on
When you’re in a rush to get all your shopping done on one day, it’s easy to forget to take extra precautions. This is especially true on eBay & Craigslist where scammers can fool buyers directly with too-good deals. So don’t let your skepticism lapse just because you’re in a hurry. “Buyers should pay attention to the reputation of sellers,” says Joe Schumacher, a security consultant for mobile and cloud security company Neohapsis. “If you are buying from eBay or Craigslist, then look at the person’s rating and history before forking over hard-earned dollars.”

Stay regular
Just because it’s Cyber Monday doesn’t mean that you should be required to hand over any personal information, like Social Security Numbers, that you wouldn’t otherwise need to enter when buying things online. So if a site is asking you to enter anything out of the ordinary, stop the transaction immediately. There’s no reason any online store needs more than your name, billing and shipping address, payment info, and perhaps a coupon code or two.

Watch the step
Finally, stay on top of all your tracking information. That way you know when a package is supposed to arrive, and when it actually does. If it’s not there when you know it should be, you can call the shipping company to report a theft.


Follow these suggestions and it should be a very happy Cyber Monday and a Merry Christmas.


The preceding suggestions were courtesy of FoxNews.com
http://www.foxnews.com/tech/2013/12/02/cyber-monday-heres-how-to-not-get-cyber-screwed/

Read More