Check your phone: Necro malware has infected 11 million Android devices through the Wuta Camera and Max Browser apps. The malware steals info and downloads harmful programs. If you downloaded either app, uninstall it and run a malware scan. My pick is TotalAV.
6 pro tips to stay protected against malware
When a word begins with mal-, you know it’s bad news. Malodorous. Maleficent. And one that’s woefully underused: Malversation. (Look it up; it’s a good one.)
But the most dangerous to our tech lives? Malware. These insidious little programs crawl into our phones, laptops and any other smart device and wreak utter havoc. And unfortunately, it’s everywhere.
Oh yes, everywhere
It’s mostly just random sites spreading this stuff. For example, a malware app called CherryBlos just snuck past the Google Play store’s filters. It got the green light even though it can steal cryptocurrency wallet credentials.
Before you hit that ‘download now’ button
Usually, you can trust the Google Play Store, Apple’s App Store, Amazon apps and all the other official sources. That said, it’s just plain smart to “trust but verify.” All of these are free and most only take minutes, if not seconds:
- Keep your devices updated. Don’t put off updating because it’s too inconvenient. These “annoying” updates often contain tighter and better security measures.
- Do your research. If an app looks good, Google it before you download it. A few minutes of research could save your phone, data and even your bank account.
- Scan the reviews. Tempting as these free or cheap apps are, the proof is in the pudding. Look for any signs of devices behaving strangely after downloading.
- Never blindly grant permissions. I get it. Our attention spans can be very limited. Still, the time you take to read exactly what permissions you’re granting is time well spent.
- No jailbreaking. Not only are you voiding any warranties and risking increased freezes and crashing — but you’re also agreeing to a decreased level of cybersecurity.
You know what they say, “Give a man a fish and he’ll eat for a day. Teach a man to phish and he’ll steal your bank password.”
Bonus: Must-have protection for all your devices
Antivirus is vital in the fight against malware. Always have a trusted antivirus program updated and running on all your devices. We recommend our sponsor, TotalAV. Right now, get an annual plan with TotalAV for only $19 at ProtectWithKim.com. That’s over 85% off the regular price!
Want even more anti-malware tools in your toolkit? Smart! Use this easy, free check to see if a site or file contains malware.
6 ways to stop digital stalkers from harassing you
The more time you spend online, your risk of online harassment grows. Being proactive can stop digital stalkers before they track your every move, change your passwords and shatter your sense of security. I’ve heard from people who have been fending off hackers for years — and they describe scary situations.
600 million cyberattacks
Target Windows every single day. Microsoft’s latest report with all the gory details says more than 99% of attacks go after your passwords. Antivirus software is a must, folks.
More fake ChatGPT malware spreading – Don't download this
OpenAI’s artificial intelligence platform ChatGPT is an incredible showcase of how we can interact with machines in futuristic ways. The text-based generative AI system can produce stunning results for just about any question or request. Tap or click here for everything you need to know about ChatGPT.
Quick security fix: Stop clicking Google's 'sponsored' results
What should be a simple Google search can quickly turn into a nightmare if you aren’t careful. Not everything you see on the internet is safe, and just because it’s on the tech giant’s platform doesn’t mean you should click it.
It took one bad click to hack the personal details of 7.6 million individuals, including full names, email addresses, telephone numbers and order details. The breached org? Evolve Bank & Trust, a vendor for Affirm, Wise, Bilt, Shopify, Plaid, Stripe and Mercury. There’s a good chance that hacked info includes yours. Solid, award-winning antivirus software is more important than ever, folks.
How to spot Super Bowl betting scams
Crooks never sleep, and they’re incredibly aggressive during busy times of the year when the victim pool is deep. Tax season is here, and we already see an uptick in scams. Here’s how to spot one and avoid sending your hard-earned money to a criminal.
10 tips to secure your accounts with strong passwords
Two decades ago, you had a single password to keep in mind, maybe two. But these days the list of sites and accounts you might want to sign up for is nearly endless. What’s worse is hackers prey on people who reuse passwords, so it’s important to use strong, unique passwords for every site.