Windows 11 Sept. Update Causes Users Headaches; Kaspersky Customers Report Forced Software Installation: 100 million Americans just had their background check data exposed; Thousands of Browser Extensions Compromise User Data… and more!
Every day we scan the tech world for interesting news in the world of technology and sometimes from outside the world of technology. Every Wednesday, we feature news articles that grabbed our attention over the past week. We hope you find this week’s ‘Wednesday Newsbytes’ informative and interesting!
Windows 11 September update is giving users a real headache
Microsoft has warned users in a post on its support blog that the September KB5043145 update, released on Thursday, is causing some Windows 11 PCs to restart multiple times, show the blue screen of death, or even freeze.
The problems in the recent update affect those on the 22H2 or 23H3 version of Windows 11. However, Microsoft said it is investigating the issue and will provide more information when it’s available. Microsoft confirmed: “After installing this update, some customers have reported that their device restarts multiple times or becomes unresponsive with blue or green screens. According to the reports, some devices automatically open the Automatic Repair tool after repeated restart attempts. In some cases, BitLocker recovery can also be triggered.”
Although crashes are frustrating, the bug here can cause what’s known as a “boot loop.” This is an issue that Windows versions have had for decades, where the PC will boot and restart endlessly with no way for users to interact, forcing a hard shutdown by holding the power button. Boot loops can be incredibly hard to diagnose…
US Kaspersky customers report replacement antivirus forcibly installed following ban
Customers woke up to entirely new software installed on their computer
Kaspersky customers in the US have found their antivirus software has been replaced without warning with a new solution called UltraAV.
The US government recently passed a law banning the sale of Kaspersky security software and the subsequent updates for installed software, resulting in the company’s exit from the US market.
Customers reported on social media that the update was pushed without the ability to accept or decline UltraAV, despite notification emails supposedly being sent at least a few weeks prior to the update.
Demonstration of Kaspersky danger
The US has long argued Kaspersky software is at risk of being manipulated by the Russian government to hand over secrets and control of the computers it is installed on, with an initial ban on Kaspersky products from being used within federal agencies being followed by a complete commercial sales ban from July 20, and finally with a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) ban…
Having to get a background check done is bad enough as it is but what if all of your personal and employment information was left exposed online for anyone to access? Well, that’s exactly what just happened for at least 100 million Americans.
Unlike with data breaches which are usually the work of hackers, data leaks occur when a company fails to properly secure the data points it has on customers or in this case, one third of the entire U.S. population.
As reported by Cybernews, its security researchers recently discovered a worrying data leak at a company called MC2 Data which operates a number of public record and background check sites including PrivateRecords.net, PrivateReports, PeopleSearcher, ThePeopleSearchers and PeopleSearch USA.
Here’s everything you need to know about this massive new data leak….
Study Finds Thousands of Browser Extensions Compromise User Data
Research from Georgia Tech reveals thousands of browser extensions pose significant privacy risks by extracting sensitive user data from web pages, highlighting a need for stricter privacy measures and better enforcement.
Browser extensions, the software add-ons that help users customize and enhance their web browsers, are wildly popular. Some of the most-used extensions find shopping deals, fix grammar and typos, manage passwords, or translate web pages. The types of extensions available are nearly endless, and many have become indispensable tools for businesses and everyday users.
While these extensions can make web browsing more accessible, productive, and rewarding, they are not without risk. New research from Georgia Tech reveals that thousands of browser extensions pose significant threats to privacy, and hundreds automatically extract private user content from within webpages — affecting millions of internet users.
Led by Frank Li, assistant professor in the School of Cybersecurity and Privacy and the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, and Ph.D. student Qinge Xie, a team of researchers developed a new system that monitors if and how browser extensions collect user content from webpages…
Read more at Georgia Tech News Center.
China-Linked Hackers Breach U.S. Internet Providers in New ‘Salt Typhoon’ Cyberattack
Hackers linked to the Chinese government have broken into a handful of U.S. internet-service providers in recent months in pursuit of sensitive information, according to people familiar with the matter.
The hacking campaign, called Salt Typhoon by investigators, hasn’t previously been publicly disclosed and is the latest in a series of incursions that U.S. investigators have linked to China in recent years. The intrusion is a sign of the stealthy success Beijing’s massive digital army of cyberspies has had breaking into valuable computer networks in the U.S. and around the globe.
n Salt Typhoon, the actors linked to China burrowed into America’s broadband networks. In this type of intrusion, bad actors aim to establish a foothold within the infrastructure of cable and broadband providers that would allow them to access data stored by telecommunications companies or launch a damaging cyberattack.
Investigators are exploring whether the intruders gained access to Cisco Systems routers…
Thanks for reading this week’s Wednesday Newbytes. We hope these articles were informative, interesting, fun, and helpful. Darcy & TC
