Whether it traveling, an icy sidewalk or the threat of Covid-19’s trouble, let’s all have a safe winter.
Try to keep an eye on your computer and associated devices for the latest exploit- log4j.
To take advantage of the vulnerability, hackers have to deliver malicious code to a service running log4j. Phishing emails — those messages that try to trick you into clicking a link or opening an attachment — are one way to do so. Keep an eye out for an influx of phishing messages in the coming days, Malik said, as hackers scramble to plant bad code in as many places as possible.
If you get an email saying that your account has been compromised or your package failed to deliver, don’t open any links or attachments. First, make sure you actually have an account with that company or were expecting mail from that carrier. Then, find a real customer service number or address online and reach out that way.
The best thing regular computer users can do is make sure the apps they use are updated to their most recent versions, Malik said. Developers will be sending out patches over the coming days to fix any log4j issues, and downloading those quickly will be important.
For the most part, consumers should just wait and let the experts fix their software programs.
“Sit back, take a deep breath. It’s not the end of the world,” Malik said. “It’s going to be very busy the next few days for security folks.”
Hopefully everyone working on all these problems will make quick progress on the behalf of all of us.
Try to be nice. Try to be patient. Help where you can.
OM
Try to keep an eye on your computer and associated devices for the latest exploit- log4j.
To take advantage of the vulnerability, hackers have to deliver malicious code to a service running log4j. Phishing emails — those messages that try to trick you into clicking a link or opening an attachment — are one way to do so. Keep an eye out for an influx of phishing messages in the coming days, Malik said, as hackers scramble to plant bad code in as many places as possible.
If you get an email saying that your account has been compromised or your package failed to deliver, don’t open any links or attachments. First, make sure you actually have an account with that company or were expecting mail from that carrier. Then, find a real customer service number or address online and reach out that way.
The best thing regular computer users can do is make sure the apps they use are updated to their most recent versions, Malik said. Developers will be sending out patches over the coming days to fix any log4j issues, and downloading those quickly will be important.
For the most part, consumers should just wait and let the experts fix their software programs.
“Sit back, take a deep breath. It’s not the end of the world,” Malik said. “It’s going to be very busy the next few days for security folks.”
Hopefully everyone working on all these problems will make quick progress on the behalf of all of us.
Try to be nice. Try to be patient. Help where you can.
OM