If you are running Linux (or Free BSD) or have a device that utilizes it, like a router, make sure you install the latest security update. Researchers at the Carnegie Mellon University Computer Emergency Readiness Team warned about a vulnerability that could be used for denial of service attacks.
While security flaws are rarer in the Linux and Mac computer world, they do happen (yes, Apple fans I am directly looking at you). All software programs and operating systems are vulnerable to attack, which is why developers regularly release software updates and security fixes to patch newly discovered vulnerabilities.
It’s important that these updates get installed as the bad guys also watch for these announcements and use these known flaws to launch attacks against the slow adopters of installing the released fix.
We don’t have to look far to know this is true. Last year the WannaCry Ransomware virus used known vulnerabilities that helped it become the fastest spreading virus of all time hitting over 200 thousand systems across 150 countries in a couple hours.
How was this possible? There were a couple of factors including the sheer volume of computers where available security updates that would have closed the vulnerability security gap simply weren’t installed and basically created a clear path for the hackers to take advantage of.
Even after the worldwide WannaCry epidemic and all the resulting major news coverage around the world, may STILL didn’t bother to update their systems. We know this as just 30 days after WannaCry, a new virus called Not-Petya, started making the rounds and attacking the same vulnerability!!
This shows that for many people and organizations, getting a handle on installing software and security patches can be a low priority pain in the butt. Keeping up to date on what patches and updates are available and making sure they install properly, can be time consuming, frustrating and seen as a lost productivity activity. Yet NOT installing these updates can lead to even bigger budget crushing scenarios as WannaCry and Not-Petya and a heap of other viruses and data breeches have taught us.
That’s why at BeckTek, we created a service many moons ago to address the updating issue. It’s like taking your car to the garage and having the oil changed, fluids topped up, tires rotated and all the preventative measures you need to do to keep your car running smoothly.
Except, instead of losing time having to take your car to the garage and waiting to be driven back to work, when it comes to maintaining and updating your computer, our service is done after hours so you don’t need to worry about any lost productivity.
Have questions about this latest Linux vulnerability or would like more information on how BeckTek can help keep your systems maintained and protected? Email questions@becktek.ca or call 506-383-2895