Sunday, August 17, 2014

Security Alert: 30,000 Computers Hacked in One Hour

At the DefCon Security Conference, one engineer talked about a problem in unprotected remote access software.  Remote access software like LogMeIn or GoToMyPC is extremely convenient, but if you do not password protect the software, anyone can access it.  This engineer accessed the desktops of 30,000 people in one hour without the owners knowing.  The worst part:  he found vulnerable computers in stores and power plants!

The moral of this story is to avoid using remote access software unless it is necessary.  If it is necessary, make sure you use a strong password to protect your computer.  Do not leave it without a password, and do not use the software's default password.  And, if you find that you only need remote access software at specific times (like when travelling), it might be best to uninstall the software until the next time you will need remote access.

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