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    in Information Technology

    Microsoft announces new ransomware detection features for Azure

    Microsoft has unveiled a new ransomware detection feature for its Azure customers that will send alerts to security teams when the system observes actions “potentially associated with ransomware activities.”In a blog post, Microsoft’s Sylvie Liu said Azure worked with the Microsoft Threat Intelligence Center to create Fusion detection for ransomware. Microsoft’s Fusion technology uses machine learning to find potential attacks in progress and alert security teams.The system will send alerts when it sees ransomware activities at “defense evasion and execution stages during a specific timeframe.”Liu explained that the system will send messages like “Multiple alerts possibly related to Ransomware activity detected” in the Azure Sentinel workspace. The alerts will explain what happened and on which devices or hosts the actions were seen. The Fusion system will correlate data from Azure Defender (Azure Security Center), Microsoft Defender for Endpoint, Microsoft Defender for Identity, Microsoft Cloud App Security and Azure Sentinel scheduled analytics rules. A report from cybersecurity firm BlackFog released on Monday found that ransomware attacks on government organizations and schools are continuing to increase in 2021, both of which deploy thousands of Microsoft machines. Liu cited a report from PurpleSec that estimated ransomware attacks in 2020 caused $20 billion worth of damage and increased downtime by 200%

    “Preventing such attacks in the first place would be the ideal solution but with the new trend of ‘ransomware as a service’ and human operated ransomware, the scope and the sophistication of attacks are increasing — attackers are using slow and stealth techniques to compromise network, which makes it harder to detect them in the first place,” Liu said. “When it comes to ransomware attacks, time more than anything else is the most important factor in preventing more machines or the entire network from getting compromised. The sooner such alerts are raised to security analysts with the details on various attacker activities, the faster the ransomware attacks can be contained and remediated.” In July, Microsoft’s 365 Defender Research Team revealed three vulnerabilities in Netgear routers that could have led to data leaks of a full system compromise. The vulnerabilities were patched earlier this year.   More

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    Android Trojan hits 140 countries, 10,000 victims through social media hijacking

    A new Android Trojan has been identified by cybersecurity firm Zimperium, which released a report on Monday explaining how the malware has been able to hit more than 10,000 victims in 144 countries. The trojan — named FlyTrap by Zimperium researchers — has been able to spread through “social media hijacking, third-party app stores, and sideloaded applications” since March. Zimperium’s zLabs mobile threat research teams first identified the malware and figured out that it uses social engineering tricks to compromise Facebook accounts. The malware hijacks social media accounts by infecting Android devices, allowing attackers to collect information from victims like Facebook ID, location, email address and IP address as well as cookies and tokens tied to your Facebook account.”These hijacked Facebook sessions can be used to spread the malware by abusing the victim’s social credibility through personal messaging with links to the Trojan, as well as propagating propaganda or disinformation campaigns using the victim’s geolocation details,” the Zimperium researchers wrote. “These social engineering techniques are highly effective in the digitally connected world and are used often by cybercriminals to spread malware from one victim to another. The threat actors made use of several themes that users would find appealing such as free Netflix coupon codes, Google AdWords coupon codes, and voting for the best football (soccer) team or player.”The researchers attributed the malware to groups based in Vietnam and said they are able to distribute it using Google Play and other app stores. Google was sent a report about the malware, verified it and removed all of the applications from the store. But the report notes that three of the applications are still available on “third-party, unsecured app repositories.”

    Once victims are convinced to download the app through deceptive designs, the app urges users to engage and eventually asks for people to enter their Facebook account information in order to vote on something or collect coupon codes. Once everything is entered, the app takes victims to a screen that says the coupon has already expired. The researchers explained that the malware uses a technique called “JavaScript injection” which allows the app to open legitimate URLs inside a “WebView configured with the ability to inject JavaScript code.” The app then extracts information like cookies, user account details, location, and IP address by injecting malicious JS code.Zimperium suggests Android users find ways to check if any applications on their device have FlyTrap and noted that these breached accounts could be used as a botnet for other purposes like boosting the popularity of certain pages or sites. “FlyTrap is just one example of the ongoing, active threats against mobile devices aimed at stealing credentials. Mobile endpoints are often treasure troves of unprotected login information to social media accounts, banking applications, enterprise tools, and more,” Zimperium researchers said. “The tools and techniques used by FlyTrap are not novel but are effective due to the lack of advanced mobile endpoint security on these devices. It would not take much for a malicious party to take FlyTrap or any other Trojan and modify it to target even more critical information.”Setu Kulkarni, vice president at NTT Application Security, said FlyTrap was a “nifty combination” of a handful of vulnerabilities and took advantage of the abundance of meta-data open to access, like location, as well as the implicit trust that can be gained by clever yet dubious associations with companies like Google, Netflix and others. “This is not even the most concerning bit — the concerning bit is the network effect this type of trojan can generate by spreading from one user to many. Moreover, as the summary of Zimperium’s findings state — this trojan could be evolved to exfiltrate significantly more critical information like banking credentials,” Kulkarni said. “The what-if scenarios don’t end there unfortunately. What-if this type of trojan is now offered as-a-service or what-if this transforms quickly into ransomware targeting 100s of thousands of users. The bottom line does not change. It all begins with a user who is enticed to click a link. This begs the question – shouldn’t Google and Apple be doing more to address this for their entire customer base?” More

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    in Networking

    From fiber to 5G: How internet connection types compare

    Connecting to the internet has never been easier: Whether you’re chatting in coffee shops or setting up smart smoke detectors, there’s information uploading to the internet everywhere. But there are more options than ever, which can make it tricky to decide which technology is best for you. We’re going to walk you through all the major internet connection types and how you might choose your best. A brief breakdown of your options

    Each kind of internet connection is defined by its technology — how the connection is uploading and downloading internet information. DSL: Short for “digital subscriber line,” DSL uses existing telephone wires to send data between your computer and the internet. Information is transmitted on a different frequency than voice calls. DSL is widely available and connects directly from the ISP to your home. Cable: Data is transmitted via electricity through coaxial cables built out in neighborhoods for internet or cable TV. Widespread availability, except for more rural and secluded areas.Satellite: Your computer sends information through your dish up to a satellite orbiting the planet, and that satellite communicates to network operations centers to acquire the data you requested.Cellular: Mobile broadband that lets you connect to the internet wireless anywhere via cell phone towers, using your mobile device or hot-spotting to other devices. Fiber-optic: Similar to cable, but it uses small strands of glass to transmit the information as light. Minimal availability and costly to build out — mostly accessible in large cities.

    “Fiber’s growth potential is theoretically limitless, which no other physical medium can claim…In an ideal world, all internet connections would be fiber.” – Trevor Textor, Project Manager, Rural IT & Connectivity Consultant.Speed is a defining factorFor consumers, the most obvious difference between these connection types will be speed. Each technology offers a different range of connection speeds, which will affect the time it takes to upload, download, stream, and browse. DSL is typically the slowest internet, offering customers choices between 1.5Mbps, 3Mbps, 5Mbps, 7Mbps, 12Mbps, 24Mbps, and (rarely) 40Mbps. Considering the FCC reported that the median household internet speed is 72Mbps, DSL options cater to the minority of light internet users. These speeds will be enough to do some simple web browsing and sending emails — if you have a few people streaming video at once, you will experience loading issues. With satellite internet, you won’t have speed options when purchasing. You’ll choose a package based on data usage instead. The satellite technology is limited to just one speed: 25Mbps with HughesNet and 12Mbps with Viasat. For smaller households and moderate internet use, this may be a fine option. Cable internet is likely the best option for most people. It’s the most versatile internet connection type, offering speeds from 10Mbps to 200Mbps and beyond. And cable internet providers usually offer the option to bundle with other services like TV too.Fiber is the fastest internet connection available right now and works similarly to cable. If you’re one of the lucky few who have access to fiber-optic internet, you can find speeds as fast as 1000 Mbps. Paired with its higher-quality connection, fiber-optic is best for households that consistently have multiple people streaming video, playing games, working from home, or downloading files. Cellular internet connections are typically just for mobile use, and 4G LTE is the fastest available at the time. It translates to about 50+ Mbps at peak speed but can be as slow as 5Mbps. The next iteration of this technology, 5G, could replace your home internet with speeds as fast as fiber. Reliability is important tooJust because an internet provider advertises certain speeds doesn’t mean it guarantees those speeds. There are a lot of factors that can influence the connection strength — high-traffic times in your neighborhood, weather, router type, etc. If an internet connection isn’t particularly reliable, you won’t consistently get the speeds you pay for.The FCC found DSL internet was the least reliable at delivering advertised speeds to its customers, with less than 10% of Cincinnati Bell and Hawaiian Telcom customers getting advertised speeds (although other DSL providers, like Verizon and AT&T, showed more consistent performance). However, around 80% of cable and fiber-optic internet customers received 95% or more of advertised speeds, with Charter (Spectrum) cable and Verizon fiber showing the best reliability.
    FCC
    ×percentage-of-panelists-580×1024.jpgWhat’s best for you?Your first step is to look at the providers in your area and discover if they serve your address. Your options may be limited — building out service lines is expensive, and providers tend to avoid building where other providers are already offering service. You can ask neighbors who they get their internet from or simply plug your address in online to start your search. Satellite internet options, like HughesNet, will be available to almost everybody. If you happen to have a few options, you’ll want to compare their plans. To know which plan fits you best, assess your speed needs. You’ll need to consider the number of people using the internet in your household, the number of devices connecting (everything from your computer to your smart hub), and survey your household’s typical internet activity (streaming is more demanding than emailing, for example). After years of internet research and consulting network experts, we’ve built a guide to help you gauge the internet speed that will best fit your household. Determine where you are on the range of light use to very heavy use, then match that to the number of connected devices in your home.Light UseModerate UseHeavy UseVery Heavy Use1-3 devices5-10 Mbps15 Mbps25 Mbps50 Mbps4-8 devices15 Mbps25 Mbps50 Mbps100 Mbps8-10 devices25 Mbps50 Mbps100 Mbps150 Mbps10+ devices50 Mbps100 Mbps150 Mbps200+ MbpsFrom there, you should compare price, fees, and overall value. If you have more questions, check out our detailed guide to internet providers. More

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    in Networking

    NOW the web is 30 years old: When Tim Berners-Lee switched on the first World Wide Web server

    Today, most of us live, work, fall in love, and buy our goods over the web. To us, it’s as natural as breathing. It wasn’t always like that. In 1989 Tim Berners-Lee came up with his own take on creating a unifying structure for linking information across different computers. He called it, “Information Management: A Proposal.” Later, Berners-Lee would call it the World Wide Web. It wasn’t a new idea, you can trace it back to Vannevar Bush in 1945, who described a Memex: A desk, which would let users search microfilms to display documents from a library via trails of linked pages. Sound familiar? It should. 

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    Others in the 1960s such as Ted Nelson and Douglas Engelbart would further the idea. But, in August 1991, Berners-Lee would take the theory into a working system: The World Wide Web. The world would never be the same. In 1989, the internet was still largely used by researchers, academicians, and the military. By 1993, it was well on its way to being the internet you know. Two developments made this happen: The web and the far more obscure Commercial Internet Exchange (CIX). Here’s how it happened.In the late 80s and early 90s, the internet had evolved from the military ARPANet into a public network for the military, scientists, researchers, and academics. It was available if you were at the right school or worked at the right job, but most people had no access to it. Even when you could use the early internet, you had to use ASCII-based applications like pine and elm for email and Unix command line/shell programs like ftp and Archie for finding and sharing files. The most advanced tool we had was Gopher, a Yahoo-like guide to internet resources. After Berners-Lee invented the web, everything changed.No one saw the revolution at first. The web, which was running on NeXTStations — Steve Job designed Unix workstations that would prove to be the forefathers of today’s Macs — was only available to a few people in techie internet circles. It was, after all, created to help scientists at CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, share search, not share cat pictures. That came later. It wasn’t until early 1993 that the public learned about the web from some guy named Steven J. Vaughan-Nichols. Looking back, I didn’t quite get it either.

    While I was the first writer to describe the web to a mass audience, I focused on WAIS. WAIS was one of the first of what we now call public search engines. While there had been many other search engines before it — starting with NASA RECON, Dialog, and OCLC — these weren’t publicly available and confined themselves to a relatively narrow data set. WAIS was the first to make most public internet resources searchable.WAIS was really Google’s ancestor. But, without the web, search engines would still be limited to restricted areas of knowledge. At the same time, people were becoming more and more interested in using the internet for more than just research. Usenet, a primitive social network of many discussion groups, whetted people’s appetite for socializing and doing business on the net. Unfortunately, you couldn’t even sell your used car on the net, never mind run a company like Amazon. Yes, believe it or not, before today’s hyper-commercialized internet appeared where you can barely find a single webpage without advertisements or cookies, in the early 90s you couldn’t do anything related to business on the net. That would change with CIX.Early Internet Service Providers (ISPs), such as IBM, Merit Network, and MCI started to provide business services over national and regional networks. To save money and expand their reach, in 1990 they formed the nonprofit Advanced Network Services (ANS), which created the first commercial internet backbone, ANSNET. This same wide-area network was also used by NSFNET; part of the older non-commercial internet was running on the same cables and routers.ANSNET did more than increase the early internet’s backbone speed from T1’s blazingly fast 1.544 megabits per second to T3’s then-amazing 44.736 Mbps. It was a long time ago. In 1993, the NSF also agreed to let the trio of pioneering internet companies form ANS CO+RE Systems, a for-profit corporation that sold corporate internet access — as long as they didn’t use the net for advertising. Oh, how things have changed!
    This agreement opened Pandora’s box. Now, everyone wanted to use the rapidly expanding network, as data jumped from business to nonprofit networks and back again. To hash out these issues, a public mailing list, com-priv, was set up on an early internet service provider, PSI Network (PSINet). From these conversations, three ISPs that were not part of ANSNET (CERFNET, PSINet, and UUNET), formed their own network of networks: the Commercial Internet Exchange (CIX). From these conversations, three ISPs that were not part of ANSNET (CERFNET, PSINet, and UUNET), formed their own network of networks: CIX.But, ANSNET and CIX couldn’t agree on sharing traffic. This annoyed everyone on the early internet who couldn’t even easily send emails to one another. In 1992, Mitch Kapor, founder of Lotus Development and its killer-app Lotus 1-2-3 spreadsheet, became chairman of CIX. He got the two sides to agree to a “great compromise.” In the agreement, ANS and CIX agreed to share traffic across each other’s networks. As Kapor said then, “In taking this significant step, we enable greater freedom from content restrictions on the Internet.” Does that remind you of net neutrality? It should. This is where it starts. After they made peace, ISPs sprang up throughout the world, offering internet access at the unheard speed of 28.8 kilobits per second (Kbps). As I said, it was a long time ago.  Now all that was needed was an easy-to-use program that would let users search and play and work with what they found on the internet. People were already used to using online services such as AOL and CompuServe.That’s where the web browser comes in.The first popular graphical web browser came from the National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA) at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Mosaic, created by Marc Andreessen and Eric Bina, wasn’t the first graphical web browser. ViolaWWW, a Unix browser, takes that honor, while Cello was the first Windows graphical web browser. Mosaic, however, was the first browser to enable you to see images within pages. Earlier browsers could only show images as separate files. It was no contest: Mosaic would dominate the first browser war.Today, 30-years later, many of you can’t even imagine a world without the web. You think of it in terms of Facebook, Twitter, funny cat photos, memes, Netflix, and World of Warcraft. But without the web’s technology and CIX’s commercializing of the net, none of this would exist.Related Stories: More

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    in Networking

    Say hello to the early days of web browsers

    The very first web browsers, such as Lynx, were character-based applications without a graphical user interface to be seen. It may look hopelessly primitive today, but in their time from 1991 to 1993, they were great. Unlike most of the other early browsers, Lynx, introduced in 1992, has been maintained. Unix and Linux shell users still use it today. More

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    How to find and remove spyware from your phone

    Our digital selves, more and more, are becoming part of our full identity. The emails we send, the conversations we have over social media — both private and public — as well as photos we share, the videos we watch, and the websites we visit all contribute to our digital personas.

    There are ways to prevent a government agency, country, or cybercriminals from peeking into our digital lives. Virtual private networks (VPNs), end-to-end encryption and using browsers that do not track user activity are all common methods. Sometimes, however, surveillance is more difficult to detect — and closer to home. Also: Best ethical hacking certifications  This guide will run through what spyware is, what the warning signs of infection are, and how to remove such pestilence from your mobile devices. For those with little time, check out the abridged version below:

    What is nuisanceware?

    At the bottom of the pile, you have nuisanceware, which often comes in software bundles together with legitimate, free programs. Also known as Potentially Unwanted Programs (PUP), this sort of software may interrupt your web browsing with pop-ups, change your homepage settings by force, and may also gather your browsing data in order to sell it off to advertising agencies and networks.Although considered malvertising, nuisanceware is generally not dangerous or a threat to your core privacy and security.

    What is spyware and stalkerware?

    Spyware and stalkerware are types of unethical software can result in the theft of data including images and video, and may allow operators — whether fully-fledged cybercriminals or your nearest and dearest — to monitor emails, SMS and MMS messages sent and received, intercept live calls for the purpose of eavesdropping across standard telephone lines or Voice over IP (VoIP) applications, and more.Stalkerware is the next step up from spyware and has become an established term in its own right, coined after a series of investigations conducted by Motherboard.

    Whereas spyware rarely singles out individuals, unless it is in the hands of law enforcement or unscrupulous government agencies, stalkerware is software that anyone can buy in order to spy on those closest to them.

    Stalkerware enables stealing images and text messages, eavesdropping on phone calls, and covertly recording conversations made over the internet. Stalkerware may be able to also intercept app communications made through Skype, Facebook, WhatsApp, and iMessage. Both terms, spyware and stalkerware, relate to similar malicious software functions. However, the latter is deemed more personal in use. In order to avoid potential legal issues and alienating clients, many spyware solutions providers will market their offerings as services for parents seeking a way to monitor their child’s mobile device usage or for business owners to keep an eye on their staff’s online activities during work hours.  However, anyone willing to pay for the software can acquire it. Retina-X, makers of PhoneSheriff, marketed their spyware software solution, for example, as “parental control for mobile.” PhoneSheriff, developed for the Google Android operating system, permitted location monitoring via GPS, recorded calls, enabled access to text messages, and logged websites visited. The spyware was also able to block contacts, websites, and apps. The company, which also developed TeenShield, SniperSpy, and Mobile Spy, closed its doors after a hacktivist said they would “burn them to the ground.” Retina-X stopped taking orders for the software and offered pro-rated refunds to contracted users. When these types of software are used at home, there are few reasons which do not lean towards toxic relationships. With the evolution of technology, so too has domestic abuse changed. Sometimes, stalkerware is used to monitor partners and spouses covertly, or occasionally with the full knowledge of the victim. Spyware and stalkerware are found less commonly in the enterprise although some software solutions are marketed for companies to keep track of employee mobile devices and their activities. The lines here can be blurry, but if a mobile device belongs to a company and is used by a staff member in full knowledge that it is tracked or monitored, then this may be considered acceptable. In these cases, employees should keep their private lives, social media, and emails on their own smartphone or tablet and off company property.

    What kinds of spyware and stalkerware apps are still out there?

    SpyPhone Android Rec Pro: This £143 spyware claims to offer “full control” over a smartphone’s functions, including listening in to the background noise of calls and recording them in their entirety; intercepting and sending copies of SMS and MMS messages sent from the victim’s phone, sending activity reports to the user’s email address, and more.FlexiSpy: One of the most well-known forms of stalkerware out there is FlexiSpy, which markets itself using the slogan: “It takes complete control of the device, letting you know everything, no matter where you are.” FlexiSpy is able to monitor both Android smartphones and PCs and is willing to deliver a device with the malware pre-installed to users. The spyware is able to listen in on calls, spy on apps including Facebook, Viber, and WhatsApp, turn on the infected device’s microphone covertly, record Android VoIP calls, exfiltrate content such as photos, and intercept both SMS messages and emails. At the time of writing, marketing seems to be geared — at least, publicly — towards parents. The first image you see on the service’s website shows a teenager on her handset, with a message, “My dad’s not here. Meet me at 10.”

    mSpy: Another stalkerware app which markets itself as a service for parents, mSpy for the iPhone allows users to monitor SMS messages, phone calls, GPS locations, apps including Snapchat and WhatsApp, and also includes a keylogger to record every keystroke made on the target device. PhoneSpector: Designed for both Android and iOS handsets, PhoneSpector claims to offer “undetectable remote access.” While a disclaimer says that the service is designed for parents and businesses seeking to track company-owned devices used by employees only, the implementation of the software is made through common tactics used by malware and phishing campaigns. “All you have to do is text or email the OTA (over-the-air) link to the target device and our automated system will set up data transfer protocol and the necessary info for you to monitor the device,” the company proclaims. “Just tap a few buttons, then login to your online account! You can be viewing texts, calls, GPS and more within a few short minutes!”MobileTracker, FoneMonitor, Spyera, SpyBubble, Spyzie, Android Spy, and Mobistealth are a few more examples of stalkerware which offer similar features, among many, many more in what has become a booming business. It is also worth noting that you can be tracked by legitimate software which has been abused. Whether or not GPS is turned on, some information recovery apps and services designed to track down a handset in the case of loss or theft can be turned against victims to track their location instead.

    What are the the warning signs of spyware?

    If you find yourself the recipient of odd or unusual social media messages, text messages, or emails, this may be a warning sign and you should delete them without clicking on any links or downloading any files. To catch a victim unaware, these messages — known as phishing attempts — will attempt to lure you into clicking a link or executing software which hosts a spyware/stalkerware payload. Should stalkers employ this tactic, they need you to respond to it. In order to ensure this, messages may contain content designed to induce panic, such as a demand for payment, or they could potentially use spoofed addresses from a contact you trust.There’s no magic button to send spyware over the air; instead, physical access or the accidental installation of spyware by the victim is necessary.In the case of potential physical tampering, it can take mere minutes for spyware to be installed on a device. If your mobile or laptop goes missing and reappears with different settings or changes that you do not recognize, or perhaps has been confiscated for a time, this may be an indicator of compromise.

    How do I know when I’m being monitored?

    Surveillance software is becoming more sophisticated and can be difficult to detect. However, not all forms of spyware and stalkerware are invisible and it is possible to find out if you are being monitored.Android: A giveaway on an Android device is a setting which allows apps to be downloaded and installed outside of the official Google Play Store. If enabled, this may indicate tampering and jailbreaking without consent. Not every form of spyware and stalkerware requires a jailbroken device, however. There is an app available in the Play Store called Root Checker that can check for jailbreaking on your behalf.This setting is found in modern Android builds in Settings  > Security  > Allow unknown sources. (This varies depending on device and vendor.)You can also check Apps  > Menu  > Special Access  > Install unknown apps to see if anything appears which you do not recognize, but there is no guarantee that spyware will show up on the list.Some forms of spyware will also use generic names to avoid detection. If a process or app comes up on the list you are not familiar with, a quick search online may help you ascertain whether it is legitimate.iOS: iOS devices, unless jailbroken, are generally harder to install with malware. However, the presence of an app called Cydia, which is a package manager that enables users to install software packages on a jailbroken device, may indicate tampering unless you knowingly downloaded the software yourself.If you think your PC may have been infiltrated, check below:Windows: On Windows machines, double-checking installed program lists — possible through the start bar — and running processes under “Task Manager” may help you identify suspicious programs.Mac: On Apple Mac machines, you can do the same by clicking “Launchpad,” “Other,” and “Activity Monitor” to check the status of running programs. You can also reach Activity Monitor quickly through Spotlight.An antivirus scan is also a recommended way to remove spyware and PUP.In the cases of Android and iOS devices, you may also experience unexpected battery drain, as well as unexpected or strange behavior from the device operating system or apps — but in the latter case, many users of stalkerware will try not to play their hand.As with most things in life, trust your instincts. If you think something is wrong, it probably is — and you should take steps to seize control of the situation.

    How can I remove spyware from my device?

    This is where things get difficult. By design, spyware and stalkerware are hard to detect and can be just as hard to remove. It is not impossible but may take some drastic steps on your part.When removed, especially in the case of stalkerware, some operators will receive an alert warning them that the victim device is clean. In addition, should the flow of information suddenly cease, this is a clear indicator that the malicious software has been eradicated.Run a malware scan: On both mobile and PCs there is a variety of mobile antivirus solutions available which may be able to detect and remove basic forms of spyware. This is the easiest solution available but may not prove effective in every case.Change all of your passwords: If you suspect account compromise, change every password on every important account you have. Many of us have one or two central accounts, such as an email address, which will act as a hub for other accounts and password recovery. Begin there.Enable two-factor authentication (2FA), in which account activity and logins require further consent from a mobile device, can also help protect individual accounts.Consider creating a new email address, known only to you, which becomes tethered to your main accounts.Update your OS: It may seem obvious, but when an operating system releases a new version which often comes with security patches and upgrades, this can — if you’re lucky — cause conflict and problems with spyware. In the same way as antivirus solutions, keep this updated.Protect your device physically: A PIN code, pattern, or enabling biometrics can protect your mobile device from future tampering. If all else fails, factory reset: Performing a factory reset and clean install on the device you believe is compromised may help eradicate some forms of spyware and stalkerware. However, make sure you remember to back up important content first. On Android platforms, this is usually found under Settings  > General Management  > Reset  > Factory Data Reset. On iOS, go to Settings  > General  > Reset.Unfortunately, some stalkerware services claim to survive factory resets. So, failing all of that, consider throwing your device in the nearest recycling bin and starting afresh.

    Removal of different brands FlexiSpy removal: FlexiSpy may masquerade on Android devices under the name “SyncManager.” If you find this app on your phone, try to uninstall it directly, and then restart your phone. However, it may also appear under another generic name, and so before deleting any apps, perform a search on the app name first. mSpy: To remove mSpy, instructions are here as long as you have physical access to the device. On the iPhone, you need to access Cydia, search “Installed” and look for “IphoneInternalService.” Press modify and remove. Additional options to try are explained here. So, what are Google and Apple doing about the problem? Both Google and Apple are generally quick off the mark if spyware or other forms of malicious apps manage to circumvent the privacy and security barriers imposed for applications hosted in their respective official app stores.  In July 2019, Google removed seven apps from the same Russian developer from the Play Store. While marketed as employee and child trackers, the tech giant took a dim view of their overreaching functions — including GPS device tracking, access to SMS messages, the theft of contact lists, and potentially the exposure of communication taking place in messaging applications.  When it comes to Apple, the iPad and iPhone maker began a crackdown on parental control apps April 2019, citing privacy-invading functions as the reason for some iOS apps to be removed from the App Store. In some cases, Apple requested developers to remove functions, whereas, in others, the apps were simply removed. The company offers its own parental device control service called Screen Time for parents that want to limit their children’s device usage. Surveillance without consent is unethical and in domestic situations causes a severe imbalance in power. If your sixth sense says something is wrong, listen to it. A physical object is not worth sacrificing your privacy for. Should your device become compromised, take back control of your right to privacy — whether or not this means replacing your handset entirely. More

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    in Networking

    AT&T vs. Xfinity Internet: Two ISPs compared

    We’ve spent years reviewing the largest internet providers and vetting AT&T and Xfinity individually. Now we’re comparing their features directly. If both providers are available to you, you’ll need to consider the speeds you want, your budget, whether to bundle services or not and how much you value customer service.If you’re looking for a budget-friendly plan, Xfinity’s packages currently start about $10 cheaper per month than AT&T. Still, when you bundle with AT&T’s renowned DIRECTV service, fees are waived, and the promotional value increases. AT&T also excels at customer service, though Xfinity isn’t too far behind. We recommend reflecting on which features you value most as we dive into a detailed comparison.AT&T vs Xfinity overviewAT&TXfinityACSI rating69/10061/100Bundles withSatellite TV, PhoneCable TV, Phone, Home Security# of states serviced2139Speed range5Mbps – 1000Mbps15Mbps – 2000MbpsInternet typeDSL, FiberCableData cap1TB1TBPrice range$50 – $90$25 – $70Contract length1 yearMonth-to-month, 1 year, 2 yearsCustomer serviceOne of the biggest pain points of internet service is customer service. Billing discrepancies, miscommunications, endless phone trees, price hikes, and unreliable connections all plague the industry. To compare providers on this aspect, we analyzed customer satisfaction ratings from J.D. Power and the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI). A comparably well-rated provider is more likely to appease concerns, offer fair pricing, and promptly solve technical issues.AT&T often ranks well for its customer service. AT&T rates second place with a 69/100 from the ACSI (just behind Verizon’s 70/100). The company also won the J.D. Power award for customer service in the East and South regions with a 5/5. Although everyone’s experience can vary, with AT&T, you have a much better chance of experiencing smooth interactions and accurate billing.While Xfinity by Comcast doesn’t rate quite as well as AT&T, its customer service isn’t as bad as you’d think. The company has earned itself a pretty public reputation for poor customer service — likely attributed to visibility (it’s widely available) and a few public incidents. Xfinity’s customer service scores from the ACSI have steadily improved each year. In 2019, they scored 61/100, placing them in fourth of the eleven nationwide providers ranked. Comcast was actually the J.D. Power award recipient for customer satisfaction in the North Central region, with a 5/5 overall. Though your experience may not be as seamless as it might be with AT&T, Xfinity is far from the worst internet service provider.Speed packagesAT&TXfinitySpeed ranges·  15Mbps·  10Mbps·  118Mbps·  125Mbps·  150Mbps·  1100Mbps·  1100Mbps (fiber)·  1300Mbps (fiber)·  11000Mbps (fiber)·  25Mbps·  75Mbps·  100Mbps·  175Mbps·  200Mbps·  275Mbps·  300Mbps·  500Mbps·  600Mbps·  1000MbpsThe actual speeds and plans available to you will vary depending on your address. One neighborhood could only have access to one provider and two speeds plans, while another might have three providers to choose from and six speeds plans from each.AT&T is available in 21 states and has both DSL and fiber-optic internet services, although both are rarely available in the same area. AT&T’s fiber service is mostly found in dense urban areas, while DSL reaches rural neighborhoods. Its fiber internet typically comes in three speeds, 100Mbps, 300Mbps or 1000Mbps, and is best suited to intense internet users. If AT&T DSL service is available to your home, there are generally a wide variety of potential speed options. You could be offered anywhere from 5Mbps to 100Mbps, a speed sufficient for casual internet use. All of AT&T’s plans, regardless of the speed, usually start at $50 per month. Although the exact offerings are pretty varied depending on location, we appreciate that AT&T can accommodate a wide range of internet users.

    Xfinity by Comcast offers cable internet service to 39 states. Cable internet is more widely available than fiber and more reliable than DSL. In the FCC’s 2018 Fixed Broadband Report, Xfinity consistently delivered customers faster speeds than advertised. Advertised plans range from 25Mbps to 1000Mbps, starting at around $40 per month (a bit cheaper than AT&T’s starting rate). You also have a few different contract options with Xfinity — month-to-month (for a slightly higher monthly rate), 1 year, and 2 years. Xfinity’s internet plans are reliable, widely available, flexible, and budget-friendly.Bundling optionsConsidering the quality of a provider’s bundling options is important for those who want more than just internet service. Getting TV, internet, and phone service from the same provider will save you money and be simpler to manage.Bundling your services with AT&T can come with a lot of perks. Popular bundling promotions can help lower your combined monthly fees, reduce or even eliminate initial setup or installation charges, and in some cases, even a visa gift card. Even without the promotional savings, AT&T’s satellite TV service, DIRECTV, is a great option. In our review of TV providers, DIRECTV was a clear fan favorite. DIRECTV has six-channel packages to choose from, impressive sports programming, and a powerful DVR.With Xfinity, you can bundle your internet and TV services with home security. In our review of Xfinity’s home security, we like how easy it was to customize your starting equipment package and the seamless integration with Xfinity’s other services. You can control the automation and security system from your TV with the remote, for example. Though not as impressive as DIRECTV, Xfinity’s TV service is pretty satisfactory. You’ll have plenty of channel packages to choose from and a perfectly standard DVR service.If you…Then it would be best if you went with:Here’s why:Need fast and reliable speeds…XfinityXfinity recently bumped up all speed tiers, and SpeedTest rated Xfinity by Comcast the Fastest fixed Internet Service Provider in 2018.Are a TV junkie…AT&TIf the quality of your TV service is a bigger priority than internet service, AT&T is for you. Its DIRECTV service is one of our favorite TV providers. Bundling with AT&T also comes with extensive promotional perks.Want a home security system…XfinityXfinity is one of the only internet providers that lets you bundle your service with a home security system — perfect for seamless integration into your home.Value customer service…AT&TAT&T is rarely beat in customer satisfaction ranking from the ACSI and J.D. Power. You’re most likely to experience accurate billing, prompt resolutions and consistent service with AT&T.How to compare internet companiesCheck availabilityYour very first step when searching for an internet provider is to find which ones actually service your address. Chances are you’ll have few options — the Institute for Local Self-Reliance reported that 39% have access to only one broadband provider. There’s no use in comparing internet companies that aren’t available to your address. To find the providers that service your home, you can ask your neighbors, input your address directly into popular provider’s sites, and use online resources like Allconnect.Determine the speeds you needOnce you know which providers are options, you’ll need to compare the plans they offer. Internet plans are based on the speed and bandwidth you’ll purchase. To figure out how much speed your home needs, you’ll need to consider the demand of your home’s internet activity and the number of devices connecting to the internet (everything from computers to smart thermostats). We’ve consulted network experts, FCC reports, and online guides to building a chart that should help you find a potential baseline speed.Light UseModerate UseHigh UseVery High Use1 – 3 devices5 – 10Mbps15Mbps25Mbps50Mbps4 – 8 devices15Mbps25Mbps50Mbps100Mbps8 – 10 devices25Mbps50Mbps100Mbps150Mbps10+ devices50Mbps100Mbps150Mbps200+ MbpsLight use: emails, web browsing, social media, SD video streamingModerate use: music streaming, occasional online gaming, streaming HD video on one or two devices.High use: Multiple devices streaming HD video simultaneously, multiplayer gaming, video conferencing.Very high use: Multiple devices streaming HD or 4K video simultaneously, large file downloading, multiplayer gaming, video conferencing.Vet for valuePrice alone won’t dictate the best deal. There are a few factors that will influence the value of an internet package. Installation and equipment fees, post-contract price hikes, and restrictive contracts can all influence how much you’ll actually pay. Enticing promotional offers and bundling opportunities should be considered too. Essentially, we recommend you take your time shopping around and compare the smaller details before signing up.

    Who is the best internet service provider?

    Most internet providers are actually pretty similar to each other in speed options, prices, and perks. The best ISP for you will depend on what features you prioritize. If you care more about customer service than price, for example, AT&T is probably a better fit than Xfinity. Check out our review of the best internet providers for a comprehensive comparison of the most popular providers.

    What type of internet connection is best?

    There are a few different kinds of technology that can connect you to the internet. They each have different strengths. Fiber-optic internet uses glass cables to transmit data; it’s super fast and reliable but expensive to build out (and thus not widely available). Cable internet is the most popular type of internet and usually comes at a fair price for solid speeds. DSL internet uses existing telephone wires, so it has great availability.However, it’s also pretty unreliable and may not deliver the speeds you pay for. Satellite internet is best for remote locations where other internet types can’t access — it comes in only one speed and is usually more pricey.

    What internet speed is best for gaming?

    Online gaming demands a more advanced internet connection. Fiber-optic internet is likely best if available in your area because it has matching upload and download speeds for sending and receiving data without lag. You’ll also want to look for a provider with generous data caps. We’ve built a full guide and digital calculator to help you find the best internet package for your gaming hobby. More

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    in Networking

    Best internet provider in Boston 2021: Top ISPs

    Founded in September 1630, Boston is one of the oldest cities in the United States. Although Boston is well-known as a center of culture and industry, the actual city proper only extends about 50 square miles. That means the people who call Boston home usually live in tight quarters compared to most places in the nation, and the same goes for businesses in the area. When space is limited, the competition is high, and Internet Service Providers (ISPs) who do business in the city must compete in a steep playing field, which can work to the benefit of the consumer. As a result, Boston’s home state of Massachusetts has one of the highest internet speed connections in the US, according to Statista. We’ve compiled the best choices for internet service in Boston that will fit the needs of everything from casual internet users to people who require high-speed connections for their home office. The three best internet providers in BostonVerizon Fios — Best for high-speedXfinity — Best for availability RCN — Best for flexible plansThe best Boston internet providers: summed upVerizon FiosXfinityRCNDefining traitHigh-speedAvailability Flexible plansConnection typeFiberCable/fiber; WiFiCableDownload speeds (Mbps)100, 300, 94025, 100, 200, 300, 600, 1,000100, 250, 500, 940Prices starting at$39.99$39.99$29.99Contract lengthNone or 12–24 monthsNone or 12-24 monthsNoneData capNoneOne terabyteNone

    Best for high-speed

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    Verizon Fios uses a 100% fiber-optic network to deliver high-speed internet to its customers. For most of the Internet’s recent history, DSL and cable have been the two main kinds of internet connection, while fiber-optic is a long-awaited third choice for consumers. However, Verizon Fios has limited availability and potential buyers should make sure that it’s available in their area.If available, Fios is a solid choice for people who need fast internet that will perform at maximum Mbps. Fios utilizes fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) to connect internet users directly to the company’s wider fiber network, which shaves off more time in between clicking a website over the connection and delivering that website’s information to your computer at home.Price: $39.99 – $79.99Speed and Data: 100 Mbps – 940 Mbps/No data capPlans/Packages: 100 Mbps Speed, 300 Mbps Speed, Gigabit ConnectionContract Options: No contract, 12 months, 24 months

    Best for availability

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    Comcast Xfinity uses a cable connection for their internet services. This company is available far and wide, and most Bostonians should have no trouble accessing Xfinity’s internet offerings, including WiFi, regardless of where the person lives. Due to their size and coverage, Xfinity has become known as one of the gold standards for ISPs based in the U.S.Xfinity has the most choices available on internet plans, and it offers many bundles with its services, as well. Although most of Xfinity’s internet service is operated through cable connections, the company’s highest-speed packages—Gigabit and Gigabit Pro—actually use a Hybrid Fiber-Coax (HFC) network, which gives users even more reliability and connection speed.Price: $39.99 – $299.99Speed and Data: 15 Mbps – 1,000 Mbps/One terabyte data capPlans/Packages: Performance Starter, Performance Plus, Performance Pro, Blast! Pro, Extreme Pro, Gigabit, Gigabit ProContract Options: No contract, 12 months, 24 months

    Best for flexible plans

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    RCN uses a cable connection to bring its internet service into homes and businesses. Operating mostly around New England, this company has the smallest coverage range out of the three ISPs, but it does have a significant presence in Boston, so anyone interested should check to see if RCN is available in the area. This company is a good bet for more casual internet users or people who change living arrangements frequently because RCN doesn’t require a contract for any of their plans, and the installation process is fairly straightforward and inexpensive. Cancel anytime without worrying over cancellation fees and the headache of getting out of a costly contract. Price: $29.99 – $54.99Speed and Data: 15 Mbps – 940 MbpsPlans/Packages: 100 Mbps Internet, 250 Mbps Internet, 500 Mbps Internet, Gig InternetContract Options: No contract required

    How we found the best internet providers in BostonFinding the best internet service providers in Boston means focusing on what each company does best and what makes them stand apart from the competition. We dug into the details to determine key features that will help consumers decide which choice is best for them.Coverage: Coverage is essential for an ISP. If the company doesn’t provide coverage in the desired location, then the service will be unavailable. Fios, Xfinity, and RCN all cater to the Boston area. Although all choices are available in parts of Boston, it’s a safe bet that Xfinity will have the highest rate of coverage, due to the company’s ubiquity in most metropolitan areas.Value: The value each ISP offers to consumers depends on what type of internet service is needed. When it comes to deals and bundles, Xfinity is a great choice, due to the sheer amount of choices the company offers. As far as speed and reliability go, Fios’s fiber-optic connection is hard to beat. Casual internet users or people on the move might choose RCN, due to the ease of signing up and canceling the service at any time.Customer satisfaction: When it comes to customer satisfaction, the internet service provider industry is notorious for having low satisfaction ratings. We looked at the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) and J.D. Power to find out how these companies measured up. At ASCI, Fios scored 70 out of 100 for 2018 and 2019, which is the highest mark of any ISP on the list. Xfinity scored 60 and 61 out of 100 for 2018 and 2019, respectively, and RCN did not receive an individual score as it is ranked in the “all others” category at 64 percent for 2019. We also looked at J.D. Power’s 2019 U.S. Internet Service Provider Satisfaction Study for the East region of the U.S., and Verizon came in first with an overall satisfaction ranking of five out of five. Comcast Xfinity came in third with an overall satisfaction rating of three out of five, while RCN was not included on the list.

    How many internet service providers are there in Boston?

    Although Verizon, Xfinity, and RCN are three of the major ISPs operating in Boston, a quick internet search will yield over 25 different choices, so there are plenty of options for Bostonians.

    What is the most common kind of internet connection in Boston?

    Cable and DSL are the most commonly available internet connections in the Boston area. While fiber internet is available in parts of Boston, its limited network makes Cable and DSL the most widely used internet connections.

    Is WiFi available for home internet service in Boston?

    Most ISPs available in Boston like Xfinity offer WiFi capabilities with its home internet services, and WiFi automatically comes with many of the plans depending on the provider’s equipment.  More