Microsoft provided a patch recently for an Outlook vulnerability that was actively being exploited by cyber criminals.
Why is this vulnerability so bad?
- The vulnerability does not require any user interaction for the criminals to take control; the email might not even be read and it can still cause you to be a victim!
- Outlook desktop application is hugely popular in businesses — many millions can be attacked
- The possible attacks range from stealing data to installing malware
However, it’s not just Microsoft that has this type of critical security issue.
Over the last week, there has been an urgent patch from Apple for Iphone/ipad, and one from Google for Android. The Apple and Google bugs also allowed a hacker to gain full control without you clicking on anything. Not long ago we reported how certain security cameras had a vulnerability that hackers used to gain access to your security feed.
Every piece of technology you own requires updates to keep it secure.
Rather than throwing up your hands and giving up or thinking it can’t happen to me, you can partner with a managed services provider who can automatically apply patches for you and alert you to any other patches that might be needed.
People tend to overlook this critical need for security patches — but cyber insurance companies don’t. After a huge rise in claims over the last few years, some cyber security insurance companies started requiring the insureds to have up-to-date patches or their claims will be denied. It’s no longer a nice-to-have feature.
ASIS can help you with all of these issues plus so much more. For example, do you have a Cyber Incident Response plan? Have you done a risk assessment or a penetration test to see if your defenses really are secure? Don’t wait until you have a problem to realize you are not protected.