Microsoft introduced macro lockdown feature in Office 2016

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Published on Friday, 25 March 2016 03:35

Written by Super User

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The Microsoft Malware Protection Center revealed an increasing number of threats relying on macros to spread their malicious code. The technique will be able to infect a system by using spam emails and social engineering. The macros malware has scared users for a long time. Yet Microsoft this week added macro lockdown feature in Office 2016, which will prevent users from being hacked by the malicious code.

Microsoft once revealed that threats come from macro malware was gradually increasing last year. But now the company has implemented a new security protocol to secure its users.

The macro malware will infect user's system with a favorite malware infection method: Microsoft Office documents with malicious macros. Microsoft users may have encountered the macros malware when they are opening Word, Excel, and Powerpoints documents.

Hackers may give preference to use the spam emails to induce people to open the malicious emails and attachments. Microsoft wrote in its official blog post that in enterprises, 98% of Office-targeted threats used macros. Except for the enterprises, macro-based malware were increasing higher and higher over the past three months, so users of Office Home also had to be cautious.

In response to the increasing threats, Microsoft now allows enterprises system administrators to block macros with the new option in Microsoft Office 2016.
"For enterprise administrators, turn on mitigations in Office that can help shield you from macro-based threats, including this new macro-blocking feature," researchers from Microsoft Malware Protecttion Center said in the blog post. "If your enterprise does not have any workflows that involve the use of macros, disable them completely."

While as for end-users, the company also advised them not to enable macros documents from unknown sources, or those documents they don't trust.

To ensure the security of Microsoft Office 2016 users, they have to be sensetive to the threats, the malicious code and spam emails, and there may be another way to stay away from the macros malware, that's to totally ditch and uninstall Microsoft Office 2016 completely from your computer.

Researchers: The first real-world ransomware meant to hit Macs

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Published on Thursday, 10 March 2016 08:40

Written by Super User

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Many people prefer to purchase a Mac computer due to the excellent operating system, the hardware of good quality, and also a culture of very good quality freeware or software. Yet Mac users now seem not safer than the regular PC users. Recently researchers discovered that the first-ever ransomware attack targeted at Mac users.

It is not the first time that Mac-targeting ransomware has been detected. Ransomware is a type of software that prevents users from entering the system, forcing users to pay ransom to access their systems. Your Mac can be infected once you open an attachment to an email or download software.

How can you secure your Mac and stay safe
The Security &Privacy system preferences pane on Mac enables Mac users to set safeguards for download applications. To stay safe, the first thing you need to learn is to download applications on the official sites. Or you can also rely on your Mac, making sure that your Mac will stop unknown applications. Click on System Preferences >Security and Privacy >General, and then you can see there are three safety levels according to where you download the Apps. Here, you’d better not select "Anywhere" for your Mac won't stop you from running any software you download even it is dangerous for you system.

Another way to keep your Mac safe is to update your system in time.
Once there are update prompts, do not ignore the update reminders. Updating your system is the most effective way to defend your machine. If you are too busy to notice the update prompts, you can turn on the automatic update. Navigate to System Preferences >?App Store, and then select “Download newly available updates in the background.”

In addition, you can resort to professional antivirus software to scan out the malware. Furthermore if you have just downloaded applications like Transmission of the BitTorrent software that has infected with ransomware, you will be at risk, and don't hesitate to completely remove the Apps from your Mac.
Click here to completely uninstall Transmission from your Mac.

New York Bill to force Apple and other manufacturers to decrypt smartphones

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Published on Monday, 18 January 2016 07:44

Written by Super User

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New York state assembly issued a bill, which was first spotted by On The Wire via The Next Web, would require Apple and other manufacturers of smartphones and also the mobile operating system providers to decrypt the devices. 

Notes on the Bill says,"The safety of the citizenry calls for a legislative solution, and a solution is easily at hand. Enacting this bill would penalize?those who would sell smart- phones that are beyond the reach of law enforcement."

Apple provides encryption function to protect user's privacy. However, New York assembly claims that such encryption becomes a protect for criminals according to the notes.
“The fact is that, although the new software may enhance privacy for some users, it severely hampers law enforcement's ability to aid victims. All of the evidence contained in smartphones and similar devices will be lost to law enforcement, so long as the criminals take the precaution of protecting their devices with pass-codes. Of course they will do so. Simply stated, passcode-protected devices render lawful court orders meaningless and encourage criminals to act with impunity."

The Bill require smartphones sold or released in New York after January 1. 2016 would have to be capable of being decrypted or unlock by manufacturers or operating system providers. Any manufacturers or OS providers who do not comply the bill would be fined $2,500 per device.

Apple's CEO Tim Cook has expressed his views on the necessity of the encryption on smartphones, arguing that the decryption means allowing a backdoors for"bad guys". Tim Cook slam White House officials on their encryption policy, asking them to embrace a"no backdoors" approach.

On the issue of smartphones encryption. Tim Cook had made it clear that he would defend the company's decision to provide iPhone users with text messaging and Face Time encryption. Since New York state has issue a Bill to force smartphones manufacturers to decrypt the devices and unlock manufacturers, what measure will Apple take next seems to receive much concerns.  

People have various comments on this issue, some people think the politicians are out of mind, and some are wondering whether Tim Cook will stand up to his pledge for user's privacy and stop selling iPhones in New York.

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