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WireLurker: A New Kind of Security Threat for the iOS

November 6, 2014 by

Apple devices have long lorded their comparable lack of malware over their Windows competitors. However a new cyber security threat, dubbed WireLurker, may signal a coming change in the iOS’s fortunes. Working Nets, one of Maryland’s leading cyber security providers, is here with the details on why this malware is particularly dangerous for iOS devices.

What is WireLurker? What Makes it Dangerous?

WireLurker is a piece of malware, originating in China on some 500 infected apps on the unofficial Maiyadi app store, which has already infected close to 400,000 iOS devices. More importantly, WireLurker is the first known malware to target non-jailbroken iOS devices. Previously malware on the iOS was confined to users who jailbroke (disconnecting their operating system from Apple’s network and disabling limitations on installing unauthorized software) their phone, meaning that most consumers of Apple products had a very high degree of guaranteed security. The discovery of WireLurker could herald an onslaught of malware directed at iOS devices belonging to anyone.

How Does WireLurker Work?

WireLurker makes its way onto a device through infected malware downloaded from an app store or the internet, from there it infects the iOS of that machine, and makes its way to others by installing rogue apps whenever an infected device is connected via USB to an uninfected one. The original WireLurker malware made its way onto such a large number of devices because it was hidden inside seemingly legitimate applications, including illegitimate versions of highly successful games like The Sims 3 and Angry Birds.

What Does WireLurker Do?

WireLurker like most malware is used for data collection. What’s especially unusual is what data the malware seems to be interested in collecting. Most malware gathers up as much personal data as it can handle but WireLurker has only been observed identifying device owners, leading some to speculate that it was being used by the Chinese government to root out the identity of software pirates. However the amateurish nature of WireLurker’s distribution has made most cyber security experts skeptical of that assertion.

Keep All Your iOS Devices Secure With Working Nets

Keeping up with the latest cyber security threats can be exhausting, especially if you’re already running your own business. Outsourcing your IT can give you peace of mind and allow you to take care of the things that are important for your company. Working Nets is a Maryland based IT Service and Security company that services businesses nationwide. We’re always on top of emerging cybersecurity trends and threats so you don’t have to be.

To talk to someone about managed IT for your business, give us a call at (443) 992-7394. We’d be happy to assist you with your professional business networking needs.

You can also visit WorkingNets.com and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Google+

Filed Under: Cyber Security, Explanations, IT services Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Why is Cyber Security Important for Small Businesses?

August 1, 2014 by

The Internet is a busy place. In fact, at any given time, there are approximately 14 billion devices connected to the Internet. That number is supposed to rise to over 50 billion by the year 2020. It’s important to remember that not all of these devices or the people behind them have good intentions. It’s also important to remember that almost everything that we do today is influenced by mobile technology and computer technology. Many small businesses rely on computers for storing information and contact clients and colleagues. For this reason, having a solid knowledge of cyber security has never been more important than it is now.

How Does Cyber Security Keep Your Small Business Safe?

  • Save money and resources – Computers aren’t cheap. Even inexpensive computers run companies a couple hundred dollars for anything worth buying. When your computer crashes, you have to replace the hard drive at the very least, and many companies would prefer just to replace the entire computer at that point. A couple hundred dollars may not seem like that much, but when it’s being spent to replace things instead of on new technology or customer service, it seems like a huge waste – plus, it can really add up.
  • Keep your private information safe – Malware and spyware is everywhere. The reason we run so many blogs about it and talk about it so frequently is because hackers are constantly learning and evolving with technology. Just because one bug or virus has been squashed doesn’t mean that a new strain of malware won’t come out stronger and more aggressive than the last. The goal of cyber security is to ensure that you don’t end up accidentally leaking important information to people who can take it and use it for their own means.
  • Help keep the rest of the Internet safe – By participating in cyber security, you make a hacker’s job more difficult. If they’re not able to infiltrate your systems, they’re going to have to regroup and start again. Making sure that you know how to keep yourself safe from would-be Internet thieves and troublemakers is beneficial to everyone. Avoid clicking on suspicious links and always keep your security software as well as your computer up to date to avoid getting viruses or allowing your computer to be hacked.

Cyber Security Services for Small Businesses

Does your small business need some help in the cyber security department? Outsourcing your IT and learning more about it can be a great first step. To talk to someone about cyber security for your small business, give us a call at (443) 992-7394. We’d be happy to assist you with your professional business networking needs.

You can also visit WorkingNets.com and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Google+

 

Sources: Cisco, MSIAC, Telegraph.co.uk

Filed Under: Cyber Security Tagged With: , ,

Another Website Hacking Incident: What the LinkedIn & DropBox Hacks mean

August 2, 2012 by

First there was the infamous LinkedIn hack a few months ago. Now, another major website has been attacked, Dropbox.

“Our investigation found that usernames and passwords recently stolen from other websites were used to sign in to a small number of Dropbox accounts,” said Aditya Agarwal, VP of engineering at Dropbox. “We’re sorry about this, and have put additional controls in place to help make sure it doesn’t happen again.”

In instances such as these, hackers breach a website to steal usernames and passwords in hopes that these login credentials work for other services, as well. If they do, these hackers harvest personal data to use in future scams.

Protecting your Information: Simple IT Security Tips

The only way to truly prevent cyber-attacks is completely avoid using the Internet, which is nearly impossible these days. There are, however, several ways in which you can make your business network more secure. These security tips include:

  • Stop Password Reuse: Do not use the same password for multiple accounts. Yes, using multiple passwords will not be as easy to remember, but it will make you much less susceptible to cyber-attack.
  • Reset your Passwords Regularly: Security experts advise people to regularly change their passwords.
  • Choose your Security Question Carefully: Don’t make it too easy for hackers to access your information. Do not use personal information or basic information that can be found on the Internet.
  • Be Careful: Only access the Internet over a secure network.
  • Keep Everything Up to Date: Keep your operating system, browser, anti-virus and other critical software up to date.
  • Outsourced IT Security Services from Working Nets: Data protection is crucial. Working Nets assures that your vital business data is available when you need it by implementing tools to protect you!

If you have any questions about Hackers, Hacking, and IT Security, please contact Working Nets by calling (443) 992-7394 or visit WorkingNets.com today!

Welcome to Working Nets – your virtual IT Department!

At Working Nets, we support your business by providing top-notch Information Technology (I.T.) services to companies like yours: Companies that don’t need full-time I.T. services, but do need someone to turn to, when they are having a problem. We provide services like Network Design, Monitoring and Maintenance. We troubleshoot technical issues when they arise, and give you options for solving them. We help you use your technology investment to achieve your business goals.

At Working Nets, our focus is on your needs!

You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Google+.

Filed Under: Computer Security Baltimore, IT industry, IT Tips Baltimore Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,