Update your iPhones Now!

iOS 9.3.5 UpdateYesterday, Apple released the iOS 9.3.5 update. You need to install it now. Yes, right now! You can read the rest of this while your iPhone is updating.

We don’t usually push for people to update their devices so firmly, but a major security hole was found that would allow nefarious types to “read text messages and emails and track calls and contacts. It can even record sounds, collect passwords and trace the whereabouts of the phone user.” according to the New York Times.

In fact, Lookout security researcher Mike Murray stated “We realized that we were looking at something that no one had ever seen in the wild before.” in an interview with Motherboard. “Literally a click on a link to jailbreak an iPhone in one step. One of the most sophisticated pieces of cyberespionage software we’ve ever seen.”

On the plus side, Apple just released a patch to fix this massive security hole, and, if you haven’t already, you should download and install it immediately. We also recommend installing the update on any other iOS devices you may have, such as an iPad 2 and even an iPod touch (5th generation).

For information on the security content of Apple software updates, please visit this website: https://support.apple.com/kb/HT201222

For more information on the Zero-Day exploit and how it was used against a UAE Human Rights Defender, please visit Citizen Lab.

If you have any problems or concerns, please contact the IT Help Desk at 214-768-HELP (4357)

How to avoid the computer trap even TODAY’s Natalie Morales fell for

On Friday, our Chief Security Officer George Finney discussed the popularity of recent phone scams and how someone could hack you over the phone. While we focused on the cold-calling version of this scam, there is another popular one that masks itself as a warning pop-up notifying your that your system is infected. On this morning’s Today Show, Jeff Rossen showed how even national new anchor Natalie Morales can fall for one of these hacker tricks.

You can watch the full Rossen Report after the break.

Continue reading How to avoid the computer trap even TODAY’s Natalie Morales fell for

Phone Scam: Hacking Over The Phone

No Spoofed Phone CallsMembers of the SMU Community have reported a number of phone calls in the last several weeks attempting to gain access to your computer.  Usually, these callers will indicate that they have “noticed” that your computer has been infected with malware and will helpfully offer to fix it for you while on the phone.  The caller will direct you to a website and request that you download software to help fix your PC, but you will actually be downloading malware.  This will usually lock your computer and the person will require you to pay hundreds of dollars to unlock it. Continue reading Phone Scam: Hacking Over The Phone