As was made abundantly clear by 2017’s  massive Equifax data breach which affected 148 million people and was perpetrated by exploiting a  vulnerability in Apache software for which Apache had already issued a security update, but Equifax failed to install.  Constant updating of the software we all use with the latest security patches and updates is a critical part of avoiding scams and identity theft threats.  Whenever new security updates and patches are issued, we provide access to these so that you can update your software to provide better security on your computers, smartphones, laptops and other electronic devices.  Updating your software with the latest security patches and updates as soon as possible is important because identity thieves and scammers are always finding and exploiting vulnerabilities in the software that we all use.  Delay in updating your software could lead to disastrous results.  However, it is also important to be sure that you are downloading legitimate patches and updates rather than being tricked by an identity thief or scammer into downloading malware under the guise of downloading a security patch or update.  Today’s security update involves serious vulnerabilities in the popular search engine Google Chrome.  It is important to remember that while Google will automatically send your computer the updates as soon as they are issued, you need to restart your browser to install the updates.  Some people leave their browser open for days at a time so it is important to download and install any Google Chrome security updates as soon as they are available.

TIPS

Here is a  link to this recent security update as posted by the Department of Homeland Security: https://us-cert.cisa.gov/ncas/current-activity/2020/11/03/google-releases-security-updates-chrome-cve-2020-16009

For those of you receiving the Scam of the day through an email, I just want to remind you that if you want to see the ever increasing list of Coronavirus scams go to the first page of the http://www.scamicide.com website and click on the tab at the top of the page that indicates “Coronavirus Scams.”  Scamicide was recently cited by the New York Times as one of three top sources for information about Coronavirus related scams.

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