Beware of Fake Software updates... Malware Attacks on Hospital are rising fast

This fake software update tries to download malware onto your PC even when you click 'later'

According to W3Techs, WordPress powers 34% of all the websites on the Internet, including those without a content management system (CMS) or with a custom-coded CMS. Or to put it another way, WordPress powers over one-third of the web! And if you limit the data set to only websites with a known CMS, WordPress’ market share gets even more dominant.  WordPress holds a 60% market share for content management systems on websites with a known CMS.  (Kinsta.com)

That said crooks are hacking into insecure WordPress sites through a vulnerability in the theme plugin and interjecting malicious redirect scripts into the site.  What happens when the script runs is an alert will pop up with a fake Flash update message.  The user can click on Update Now or Later, either way, the redirect still occurs and the malicious payload is delivered.  

The payload is what is known as a RAT, Remote Access Trojan which allows remote access to the compromised computer.

A second known way the RAT payload is delivered is if the Chrome Browser is being used to visit a compromised website, a message that the 'PT Sans' font wasn't found and to update the browser.

Be careful and vigilant, especially with the upcoming holiday season when cyber-crooks will be active trying to cash in on consumer holiday buying.

To read more click on the following link;

https://www.zdnet.com/article/this-fake-software-update-tries-to-download-malware-onto-your-pc-even-when-you-click-later/?ftag=TRE-03-10aaa6b&bhid=2219791


Two-factor authentication.  What is it and how to deploy.

The single most important security precaution you can take with high-value online accounts is to enable a mobile device as a secondary identity factor. Which authenticator app should you choose? The correct answer might involve multiple apps.

Malware attacks on hospitals are rising fast, and the problem is about to get a lot worse

The healthcare industry stores some of the most sensitive personal information there can be about people: hackers know this and are looking to exploit what they view as an easy target.

Alongside names, addresses, dates of birth and other information that hackers can use to commit fraud and other cybercrime, the nature of health data means hospitals store extremely sensitive information about patients, something which attackers could exploit.

https://www.zdnet.com/article/malware-attacks-on-hospitals-are-rising-fast-and-the-problem-is-about-to-get-a-lot-worse/?ftag=TRE-03-10aaa6b&bhid=2219791

Coming in the next blog post, the best way to protect your credentials/online identity.

Two-factor authentication.  What is it and how to deploy.

The single most important security precaution you can take with high-value online accounts is to enable a mobile device as a secondary identity factor. Which authenticator app should you choose? The correct answer might involve multiple apps.

don't miss this important info.


Driving Force Intel Gen 8 and 9 Workstations

Dark Mode, What is it and how to enable it in Windows 10

Dark Mode in Windows 10

If you are like millions of computer users the constant glare of bright white backgrounds on your computer screen can take a toll on your eyes.  Maybe you have heard about Dark Mode for Windows.

Dark modes aren’t just for emos or for those who like dressing in black. They are better on the eyes and use much less battery which is ideal for phone and laptop users. I find webpages shown within a dark browser easier to read too. Something to do with the contrast I guess.

If you haven't heard of it and you suffer from eye strain then you owe it to yourself to try Dark Mode.  I didn't like it at first but it was because it is so different, but now I really prefer dark mode.  When I switch to the default white screens my eyes feel it instantly.  Dark mode provides instant relief.


To enable Dark Mode in Windows 10 you have to click on the Settings button, then choose Personalization.

Next click on Colors, select Dark for your default Windows mode as well as your default app mode.

Upon turning on Dark Mode, the most noticeable differences will be Windows Explorer and title bars on certain applications.

To really get the full-blown effect of Dark Mode across your entire computing environment, you need to change settings in Office 2016/365 and Google Chrome.

Dark Mode in Microsoft Office

To enable Dark Mode in Microsoft Office, (BTW, this is supported in Office 2016, 365 and 2013), follow the instructions provided by the following link;

https://www.howtogeek.com/360470/how-to-enable-dark-mode-in-microsoft-office/

Dark Mode in Google Chrome

Firefox and Microsoft Edge were leaders in the implementation of dark mode.

Now Google's Chrome browser also has a dark mode feature.  To enable dark mode in Chrome, you first have to enable it on Windows 10 as described above.  Once you have enabled it on Windows 10, open Chrome and type the following in the address bar;

chrome://flags

Next search flags for Dark Mode, it is an extension that you can enable or disable within the browser.

Enable the dark mode extension.

  Firefox and Microsoft Edge were leaders in the implementation of dark mode.

For a less techy approach, use the following link and read how to change Chrome to dark mode and customize the look;

https://lifehacker.com/how-to-enable-google-chromes-new-dark-mode-and-more-1833265661

DFORCE Intel Generation 8 and 9 workstations