As we work diligently to protect our clients from online security threats, we always advise them to install updates as soon as they are available. Doing so can help keep them safe from malware, fix vulnerabilities, and enable things to work smoothly overall.
But word of warning: If you are prompted to install an Adobe Flash update…STOP!
Did you know that Flash was actually discontinued in 2020? That means that it’s no longer supported – so any Flash update alerts should be considered a security threat.
A new malicious browser add-on, called Cloud9, uses fake Flash messages as a cover for a “botnet” campaign to infect devises. And if you use Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge for your browser, you could be a target.
So, what exactly is a “botnet”?…
A botnet forms a group of devices that have been affected and controls them as one – most often without the users or owners having a clue. It then steals sensitive data, sends spam, or performs DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) attacks.
Even worse, the Cloud9 botnet will aim to install additional malware onto a device or network if it isn’t stopped in time. But this kind of attack can be difficult to identify because it looks like a legitimate request – and pretty much anyone can be a target.
There’s a silver lining to this “cloud”, however (pardon the pun!) – as there are steps you can take to protect your business.
Make everyone on your team aware of the threat. If they know what to look out for, they’ll be less likely to install the update to begin with. Ensure all devices are running the latest browser versions and that security software is up to date. Also, on browser Privacy and Security Settings, enable “Enhanced Protection” – this will give users a warning if they happen to stumble onto a dangerous website or download.
And as always, we can further protect your business from cyber threats. Just contact us and talk to one of our cybersecurity experts about how we can help.
Published with permission from Your Tech Updates.
