Encryption is big news today for security professionals and regular users as well. As more and more people are concerning themselves with keeping their communication secret, a large number of encrypted messaging apps are hitting the scene. How do you pick one? And what do you need to know about them?
March 23, 2017 • 11 min read
Though many of its now-famous hidden marketplaces have been taken down by law enforcement, the darknet continues to be a home for the web’s seediest characters. The latest item to hit the market and generate buzz isn’t an illegal substance — instead, it’s illegal software….
March 22, 2017 • 2 min read
On March 7th, WikiLeaks entered the news and made waves again by releasing almost nine thousand documents they claimed came from within the US Central Intelligence Agency. Contained in the leak was a vast range of information about the CIA’s intelligence gathering practices regarding technology….
March 21, 2017 • 2 min read
Las Vegas, Nevada, 20 March 2017 — SecureMac has announced the release of PrivacyScan 1.9.2, the latest version of its award-winning software designed to protect user privacy. The incremental update provides a more refined user experience while also addressing minor bugs. PrivacyScan 1.9.2 adds support to…
March 20, 2017 • 2 min readIf there is one type of software a user should have the ability to trust, it’s legitimate antivirus programs. As a tool designed to protect from malware attacks, every antivirus effort requires careful, thoughtful design and an absolute focus on the safety and security of…
March 18, 2017 • 3 min readWhen you know where malware is most likely to be found and how it’s most likely to attack, you can take steps to avoid it. From email attachments to hacked websites, malware lurks in a number of places. On today’s episode, we’ll look at how malware is distributed: the means, the methods, and the most effective ways to mitigate the risks.
March 16, 2017 • 11 min read
Internet-Enabled Children’s Toys Expose Data for Hundreds of Thousands of Users Have you heard of the “Internet of Things”? A relatively newer term, this phrase refers to far more than just Internet-connected thermostats and Wi-Fi-enabled refrigerators. Companies now build network functionality even into children’s toys….
March 10, 2017 • 3 min readWhen you suspect your Mac is infected, it’s important to take steps to find and fix the problem before the issue becomes severe — or worse, before your personal information is stolen. On today’s episode, we’ll look at the process you should follow if you think your Mac is suffering from a malware infection.
March 9, 2017 • 9 min readThe last few months of 2016 were kind of quiet in terms of sightings of new Mac malware, but maybe that was just the calm before the storm. 2017 has already seen a plethora of newly discovered malware targeting the Mac. On today’s Checklist we’re covering five recent Mac malware threats and a bonus item: How to minimize those threats.
March 2, 2017 • 12 min read
Since last year’s emergence of KeRanger, the first functional ransomware for macOS, it seemed only a matter of time before more threats of that type appeared. Security researchers recently found the newest attempt at ransomware for the Mac out in the wild. Masquerading as a…
March 1, 2017 • 3 min readThe internet is an important fixture in our lives, but definitely comes with some potential paths to hazards and threats, especially for kids. So what can you do to keep your kids safe? If you’re using a Mac – or if your child is, Apple includes a lot of tools in macOS that can help out. Today on The Checklist, we’ll look at five of the most important things to know about built-in parental controls on your Mac and how to use them effectively.
February 23, 2017 • 8 min readA brand-new type of malware affecting Macs is in the wild, and this time there are definite signs of development in conjunction with a foreign nation. Designed (albeit rather poorly) to look like a Flash update, this malware, dubbed MacDownloader, is a unsophisticaed attempt to…
February 17, 2017 • 2 min readJust about everyone has a smartphone these days, and many parents see the benefits in providing their children with a phone to keep in touch, or in case of an emergency. Smartphone also make it easier for children to be exposed to cyberbullying or inappropriate content, so how do you keep a child safe on the phone? We’re going to explore this topic more in depth on today’s episode!
February 16, 2017 • 9 min read
How often do you check the permissions you grant to apps installed on your iPhone? Do you ever enter sensitive information into apps, like emails, passwords, and more? With apps of every type and nature available on smartphones, it’s all too easy to supply these…
February 16, 2017 • 3 min read
Regularly clearing the history of sites one has visited in a browser is a common habit for many users. It reduces digital clutter while also providing you with a degree of control over your privacy on the web. When you’ve cleared your history, no one…
February 14, 2017 • 2 min read
As a cultural phenomenon, emojis seem to be the natural evolution from more “old school” style emoticons. No longer just a small set of pictograms, emojis now compromise several hundred tiny digital images. Users pepper their text messages with them and fill up social media…
February 9, 2017 • 2 min readThe files on your Mac are more than “just data” — they’re your music, your vacation pics, that report that’s due for work or the video of your child’s first steps. On today’s episode, we’re going to cover specific steps you can take to keep your data safe and secure from prying eyes.
February 9, 2017 • 11 min readBeyond social media and online shopping sites, there’s a whole lot to the Internet that the average user simply can’t see. We’re talking, of course, about the so-called “dark web” which is only accessible with the Tor Browser. On today’s episode, we’ll be discussing this hidden side of the internet, and the special browser needed to access it.
February 2, 2017 • 10 min readThe latest item of Mac malware to be uncovered is actually not new at all; in fact, it may have been around for several years. Dubbed “Fruitfly” by Apple, this malware has some novel features. In particular, its function depends upon using both an outdated…
January 31, 2017 • 2 min read