Researchers at Check Point (our parent company) recently detected evolving phishing and bot attacks. The attackers are sending phishing emails purporting to be from Citibank or Bank of America. The malicious emails contain subject lines like “Merchant Statement” and invite recipients to open an infected Microsoft Word attachment with names,…
What personal documents and files do you risk losing or having exposed in the event your computer is stolen, compromised by an online attacker, or it falls into the wrong hands? You can avoid the pain of having to recover from the disaster of exposed information by simply locking up…
Online banking is convenient: it’s easy to check balances, schedule payments, and transfer funds. It’s also easy for cybercriminals to target online banking sites, separating consumers from their money. You know about being careful and not clicking on random links or downloading software from unknown sources in order to avoid…
As more consumers take advantage of online resources, such as financial accounts, social networks, and shopping sites, the need to manage a growing number of passwords and logins can cause frustration and risky behaviors. How can you avoid reaching this point? (Click below image to enlarge) EMBED THE IMAGE…
Tax season is in full swing as U.S. Residents and businesses gather up their tax documents and file their returns before the April 15 deadline. It’s also the season for scammers and criminals to brush off their fraud campaigns to swindle you out of your hard-earned money. According to industry…
If you think that online ads are just an annoyance, think again. One of the ways criminals harvest malware onto your computer is through the use of malicious online advertisements (malvertisements). Cybercriminals can serve them up by hacking into a trusted website and injecting their malware into third-party banners and…
How vulnerable are you on Facebook? Try ZoneAlarm Privacy Scan and find out today. Scan now! Facebook is offering Graph Search as the best way to figure out how you are connected to other users and to discover people you may have more things in common with. Someone can…
Although 95% of people are using cloud services today, most users aren’t aware of it and nearly a third think it actually has to do with the weather. Others avoid using the cloud because they worry about their own privacy and security. Let’s look at just how much people understand…
ZoneAlarm 2013 security products are now available! The new product line is Windows 8 compatible and integrates a new Facebook Privacy Scan and Do Not Track. ZoneAlarm 2013 products also offer improved performance and security through advanced antivirus and firewall capabilities. With new features like Facebook Privacy Scan and Do…
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) estimates that 733 million passengers boarded flights at some of the busiest airports across the country throughout 2011 and 2012. With travel this ubiquitous, people are losing their personal wireless devices at record rates. How many misplaced their devices, and how can you prevent this…
A new attack called Eurograbber recently stole an estimated 36+ million Euros from more than 30,000 bank customers across Europe. The attacks began in Italy, and soon after, tens of thousands of infected online bank customers were also detected in Germany, Spain, and Holland. The attack involved a sophisticated combination…
In anticipation of a greater holiday season this year, many retailers are now kicking off their sales a few days early. According to the National Retail Federation, consumers are expected to spend about 4.1 percent more this holiday season than last. Unfortunately, it’s not just retailers who will be using…
If you have a pre-teen or teenager, odds are you wouldn’t let them stay out with their friends or roam the streets too late at night. But even when your children are safe at home, some of their online activities could be putting them in harm’s way. A recent ZoneAlarm…
On November 6, the United States will complete the most digital Presidential election in our history. In the run up to the big day, millions Americans are flocking to the Web to inform their voting and follow campaign trails. With all the excitement, though, comes a sinister reality: Voter, candidate…
More and more ghastly ghouls are coming out of the crevices of the Internet every day — especially during Halloween. Besides the typical monsters that lurk online all year-long, a whole new class of fright mongers who make social media sites their playground, are among us. All of these shifty…
From social networking and shopping to banking and job seeking – you name it – we’re becoming dependent on the Internet to get our tasks done. With a variety of different accounts, we could be just one click away from our private and often sensitive information falling into the wrong…
It’s National Cyber Security Awareness Month! The Internet is an important part of our daily life, and we are more connected than ever before. While Googling, tweeting, and friending may be routine, are you doing everything you can to protect yourself online? National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM) reminds us…
Half of teens say they’ve been using the Internet for five years or more, and 58% consider themselves heavy users. The time teens spend online is more secret than ever, and their lives and computers are more at risk than you may think. (click image to enlarge) EMBED THE IMAGE…
UPDATE 11.15.12: ZoneAlarm products are now Windows 8 compatible. Go to the Free Downloads page on the ZoneAlarm website for the latest version. The long awaited Windows 8, which Microsoft expects to make available on October 26, will offer a few major enhancements – one of them being a new…
This may be the first time you have ever seen politics and computer security mentioned in the same sentence, but what you may not realize is that individuals with different political viewpoints approach personal security differently. Here’s what this year’s voters have to say. (click image to enlarge) EMBED THE…
Email scams are a huge threat, and scammers continue to take advantage of online users. In 2011, roughly 82 percent of all email traffic was spam. It is estimated that scam and phishing messages make up 19 percent of spam, meaning it is essential to be able to spot and…
Whether you’re a parent of a kid in elementary, middle or high-school or a college-bound young adult, your last few days of summer probably seem to be anything but lazy. With so many things to think about, you don’t want to put security on the back-burner. At the very least,…
If you are part of Generation Y then your daily life is all about being connected. Tweeting, friending, and googling is routine, but protecting yourself from the various cyber-related issues that will likely pop up should be, too. According to our research, only 31% of Gen Y ranked security as…
With greater technology and Internet use comes greater responsibility. The adoption of new technology and online forms of communication is growing among adults over age 65. Older adults have also become more concerned with security and privacy than younger generations. Let’s examine how connected, tech-savvy, and concerned today’s seniors really…
With the 2012 Summer Olympics in full swing and everyone paying attention, it is important to remember that athletes are not the only group competing this summer. Another group, cybercriminals, is also chomping at the bit to take advantage of the games, which offer the perfect online environment for launching…
Teens today are pressured into sharing personal information online. In addition, those who have public profiles and lie about their age online are more likely to have negative experiences. For some teens, sharing personal information is a sign of trust. The good news is that a large majority of teens…
The digital age allows people to connect online more than ever before, and teens in particular have made social networks part of their daily life. Unfortunately, the problems that plague teens in real life, like bullying, have also followed them online. Here, we explore how these online interactions start, who…
The broad adoption of digital media and social networking, combined with the increasing amount of sensitive data that is stored online, is making personal computer security more important than ever before. But do different generations understand this problem and protect their systems while online? Does the younger, more tech-savvy generation…
Teens are immersed in video, whether it’s using video chat applications, shooting and sharing video, or streaming video live for others to view. That said, with more video use comes more security risk. Let’s explore just how much teens chat, share, and stream, and look at a few simple steps…
When you sign up for a social media site or download an ebook from a website, do you read the terms of use agreement that pops up before you click the “Agree” button? Probably not. Though terms of service can be exhausting and cumbersome to read — the iTunes terms…
The Internet has proven to be a powerful and useful tool for billions of people worldwide. However, in the same way that you shouldn’t leave your house unlocked, you shouldn’t venture online without taking some basic precautions. Where do you start? Learn more about online threats and ways to protect…
Google is the most-used search engine, with 65.02% of all searches done through its interface, according to Hitwise.com. Not only that, Google’s Gmail also ranks among the most popular email programs. Therefore, practically every Internet user will utilize one or more of Google’s sites and services. And now with the recent changes…
Do you know if your computer is safe? According to Michael Calce, who was once an infamous computer hacker a.k.a Mafiaboy, “people are putting themselves at serious risk by not having minimum security, which at least includes a firewall and antivirus software. It’s basically like leaving your home with the…
Between the cybercriminals who are constantly evolving their techniques and launching new attacks on consumers every day and the explosion of information sharing via social networks, new security threats are on the rise. Luckily, ZoneAlarm Free Antivirus + Firewall defends against these identified and emerging threats, giving you peace of…
As tragic stories of bullying continue to make headlines, and movements like the Bully Project gain steam, communities are coming together to put a stop to bullying — in all its forms. However, one form of bullying is particularly notable and should be paid special attention to: cyberbullying. This fairly…
Many people have found themselves in the following scenario: You log on to the web from your computer, surf a few sites, log in to check your Facebook or bank account, then close your browser when you’re done surfing. Notice the mistake made? You didn’t log out of your accounts….
It’s an unfortunate reality, but the online and offline world is teeming with fraudulent organizations claiming to be raising funds for a variety of charitable causes. And with the prevalence of social media and electronic communication, online scammers do their best to play on the heartstrings of unsuspecting individuals. The…
Identity theft topped the list of consumer complaints filed with the Federal Trade Commission in 2011. Of the more than 1.8 million complaints recorded in 2011, 279,156 (15 percent) were identity theft complaints. Who is affected, what does it cost fraud victims, where do identity thefts take place, and how…
These days, kids are glued to their social media. Whether tweeting in junior high or updating their Facebook status on a smartphone from the high school cafeteria, the younger generation is in constant communication with their peers. That’s why addressing the issue of privacy on social media should be a…
Source Every year, a fervor comes across the land as college basketball takes center stage during March Madness. Fans eager to get a seat at the Final Four games fight for tickets. Gamblers place their bets. And everyone is checking scores, whether in a cubicle or at a bus stop….
Nearly two-thirds of Internet users also use social networking sites. As social media becomes mainstream, more users recognize the importance of protecting their privacy and managing their accounts. How are you taking control of your profiles? (click image to enlarge) EMBED THE IMAGE ABOVE ON YOUR SITE Zone Alarm Free…
Media portrayals of cybercrimes have often made them seem alluring. From the ‘90s cult film Hackers to Lisbeth Salander, the hacking heroine of The Girl With a Dragon Tattoo series, cybercrime appears to be glamorous and exciting in popular culture. And while most adults know these crimes are far from…
When a massive spam attack posted violent and pornographic images across the news feeds of many Facebook users last year, many wondered how hackers had launched the attack. Turns out, it was by exploiting a vulnerability in users’ web browsers. The event shed light on an often-overlooked issue of online…
“In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes,” wrote Benjamin Franklin. Unfortunately, he left out the inevitability of scammers using tax season to make a profit. Now that electronic filing is a legitimate way to file your taxes, and tax software allows preparation to…
With the recent Internet-wide protests of PIPA and SOPA legislation making headlines, the issue of online piracy has sparked a controversial debate. In addition to the morality issue of pirating software, consumers should be aware of the many risks — including security risks — involved in this practice. Software piracy…
Valentine’s Day is the second largest holiday for giving greeting cards, second only to Christmas, and e-cards are being sent to loved ones more than ever. But when are e-cards safe to open, and how can you tell which links are safe and which are not? We provide these answers…
Protecting your child is a not a new concept, but protecting your child’s online activity is an ever-evolving task. Now that most things take place online, including your child’s social life, it’s important to make sure both you and your child are aware of the dangers that lurk on the…
Source Now that the Giants and Patriots are preparing to face off again during Super Bowl XLVI next month, football fans everywhere are eager to get their hands on the hottest sports ticket of the year. Unfortunately, high public demand, fan fervor, and outrageous ticket prices make this annual event (and…
With e-commerce spending breaking the $150 billion mark in 2011, 79 percent of consumers are eager to purchase more online-if given easier and more secure payment options. Find out what other concerns consumers have about online shopping. (click image to enlarge) EMBED THE IMAGE ABOVE ON YOUR SITE Zone Alarm…
The New Year is upon us, and that means it’s time to make the resolutions that will help you change and improve your life 2012 — a philosophy that applies to everything, including your computer habits. Online security is more important than ever this year (read about our predictions here),…