ISMAR
Your Source for Information Security Monitoring, Analysis & Reporting. Since 2016
HI THERE!
Welcome to my site. My name is David Martel and I am a security consultant.
I started this site back in 2016 because I wanted to help people learn how to protect their computers, mobile devices, private data and - most importantly - their lives from cyberthreats.
So, you will only find two types of resources on this site: security news and security guides. Fresh updates are posted as soon as something unusual happens in the IT security world, of course.
READ THE MOST RECENT SECURITY NEWS
Cambridge Analytica Shuts Down
Cambridge Analytica has shut down, filing applications to commence insolvency proceedings in the U.K. The company has harvested data for almost 90 million Facebook users by making use of a personality test.
Critical Vulnerability Found in Over One Million Home Routers
vpnMentor has recently conducted a comprehensive assessment on a large number of GPON home routers. Their team has discovered a method that allows them to bypass authentication on the devices.
The ECB Designs a Cyber Attack Simulator for Banks
The European Central Bank has designed a "capture the flag" style cyberattack simulator, which can test banks, stock exchanges and other similar businesses that are critical for the financial industry.
F-Secure Claims that the Ransomware Trend is Declining
The Finnish security company states that the attackers didn't get too much money from most of their victims, who didn't want to recover the encrypted data by paying the money that were requested by the cybercriminals.
READ THE MOST RECENT SECURITY GUIDES
Best computer security tips
It's a given: each new week we discover that our computers are vulnerable to a new virus or to a new wave of cyberattacks, and we may even learn that the CPUs themselves have severe flaws, allowing cybercriminals to get access to our sensitive information, including credit card numbers and various security codes. All of the sudden, our computers, which were doing their jobs perfectly, need to be patched asap, and sometimes even thrown away, in case that the existing vulnerabilities can't be fixed through a software patch.
Don't lose hope, though; there are several things that can be done to minimize the damage. They may not stop all the attacks, but they may make people who are trying to hack your computer move on to the next, easier to reach target.
How to keep your Android smartphone safe
I used to own an iPhone for several years. It worked great, but it had several serious limitations. I was unable to add an external memory card to it, for example. I was unable to access most of its data without using the cumbersome iTunes application. And the list could go on and on. Actually, there are several people who compare iPhones and Android phones, highlighting their pros and cons right here.
The bottom line is that I have switched to Android, and I've never looked back. Actually, I can still remember those great-looking iPhone apps and the improved device security. Yeah, Android isn't the most secure mobile OS. Not yet! Still, there are several things that you can do to keep your smartphone safe. Here they are.
How to protect the data on your laptop
Just like you, I simply love my laptop. It is amazing to be the owner and user of a device which has the power of a full-sized desktop PC, while having the dimensions of a standard notebook and only weighing 2 or 3 pounds. Actually, my favorite laptop weighs less than two pounds. Because portability matters a lot, right? In fact, this may be the main reason why many of us have dumped those heavy desktops for good.
Still, the fact that you are unable to carry a regular computer to the coffee shop has its advantages. No, I'm not talking about working with larger displays, because you can easily hook a monitor to your laptop as well. Instead, I am thinking at situations when disaster strikes: when you forget the laptop in a taxi, or when somebody steals it from you.
How to stay safe while using public hotspots
Did you know that Symantec surveyed over 15,000 mobile device users back in May 2017? And the key study findings were really surprising: people would do almost anything to get access to high-quality, free Internet access. About half of them ask for the hotspot password only a few minutes after they arrive at a hotel, a cafe, or a friend's place.
According to Data Alliance, almost 80% of people will avoid hotels that don't offer free Wi-Fi. Still, very few of them are aware of the huge risks that arise from using public hotspots. So, here's what you need to do to stay safe online, even while you are accessing a public wireless network. Always choose a secure Wi-Fi network. It's easy to spot one, because it has a lock icon next to its name in the network list.
