Cybersecurity Expert

A roundup of UK focused Cyber and Information Security News, Blog Posts, Reports and general Threat Intelligence from the previous calendar month, March 2020. The UK went into lockdown in March due to the coronavirus pandemic, these are unprecedented and uncertain times. Unfortunately, cybercriminals are taking full advantage of this situation, both UK citizens and  businesses have been hit with  a wave of COVID-19 themed phishing emails, and scam social media and text messages (smishing) . Which prompted warnings by the UK National Cyber Security Centre  and  UK Banks , and a crackdown by  the UK Government . Convincing COVID-19 Scam Text Message (Smishing) I have not had the opportunity to analyse a copy of the above scam text message (smishing), but it looks like the weblink displayed is not as it appears. My guess is the link is not part of the gov.uk domain, but the attacker has used an international domain name homograph attack, namely using foreign ...

I was privileged to be part of The Telegraph Coronavirus Podcast today, where I was asked about the security of video messaging apps. ' How safe are video messaging apps such as Zoom, and what should users bear in mind when using them? ' My reply... Video messaging apps are an essential communication tool for at home and within businesses, especially during the COVID-19 lockdown period. They are generally safe to use but there are a few security risks which users should be aware of. Our increased use of video messaging apps has not gone unnoticed by cybercriminals, who are seeking to exploit the increase of use by sending phishing emails, social media scam messages and even scam text messages, with fake invitations to video messaging app meetings. Typically, these scam messages will entice you into either opening a malicious attachment or click a web link which directs to a malicious website. The ultimate aim of these cyberattacks is to deliver malicious softwar...

I released my "monthly" Podcast, yes it's officially a monthly Podcast now. Although I cheated and used a recent radio interview for the content. The Podcast is about basic Home PC Malware (Virus, Worm, Trojan, Keylogger) Protection, and where to obtain decent Windows Anti-Virus Protection for Free.This podcast is aimed at day to day people outside the security industry. Podcast: Home PC Malware (Virus) Protection ITSecurityExpert on iTunes To go with this Podcast I have the following links and recommendations. Microsoft Windows Security Essentials Anti-Virus & Anti-Spyware https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/14210/security-essentials-download . Requires licensed copy of Windows Requires Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7 Windows XP, a PC with a CPU clock speed of 500 MHz or higher, and 256 MB RAM or higher. AVG Anti-Virus www.AVG.com/FREE AVAST Anti-Virus http://www.avast.com/ Spybot Search & Destroy Anti-Spyware/Anti Adware Protection ...

This podcast is aimed at day to day people outside the IT security industry using Microsoft Windows. This podcast gives a quick over view on the types of malware (Virus, Worms & Spyware), describes how to prevent malware infection on your PC, and how to remove malware from your PC following infection. IT Security Expert Podcast - Mar2010 : Removing Viruses, Worms & Spyware ITSecurityExpert on iTunes Free Malware Removal Tools Recommended in this Podcast Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool Spybot - Search & Destroy AVG Rescue CD There are other free malware removal tools out there, including those which run online in the web browser. If anyone wants to recommend any they have used, please go ahead and make your recommendation in this post's comments - Thanks Notes 1. "Malware" is a collective term which includes Viruses, Worms, Keyloggers, Trojans, Spyware, Adware, and apps referred to as Crimeware 2. I recommend running these tools...

I thought it was about time I resurrected the IT Security Expert Podcast, so I dusted off my podcast mic and put together a podcast on using Social Networking safely. This podcast is aimed at day to day people outside the security industry. http://itsecurityexpert.co.uk/index.php?module=podcaster&PODCASTS_MAN_OP=viewPodcast&PHPWS_MAN_ITEMS[]=6 ITSecurityExpert on iTunes To go with this Podcast I have a “Parent Child Facebook Safety Guide” which I put together following my appearance on BBC Radio 5 earlier in the year. http://itsecurityexpert.co.uk/index.php?module=pagemaster&PAGE_user_op=view_page&PAGE_id=36&MMN_position=53:53 And I have a couple of relevant blog entries to this Podcast http://blog.itsecurityexpert.co.uk/2009/12/facebook-privacy-settings-change.html http://blog.itsecurityexpert.co.uk/2009/11/child-facebook-safety.html I’m considering a couple things with this Podcast, initially doing a new release once a month, and I am also cons...