Avast acquires AVG

Avast buys out AVG for $1.3 billion ...
Two of the best free antivirus scanners. My favourite has always been Avast but both are very capable!

Avast acquires antivirus maker AVG for $1.3BN to gain scale and dive into IoT security – TechCrunch:

Google knows you well

Google collects lots of interesting data about you...
A useful reference to see how much Google knows about you and how to control it.

How to see everything Google knows about you | Business Insider:

Google improves 2FA

Google's 2 Factor Authentication gets better ...

This is a significant improvement to the 2 Factor Authentication requirement of retrieving 6 digit codes. Now you can just tap 'Yes' on your linked mobile phone!

Google makes it much easier to use 2FA on your account | Ars Technica:

​Cybercriminals net $1.2b

​Australians lose $1.2b to cyber criminals in 2015 ...
Some timely reminders in this article from Computerworld. Make sure that you are not a victim of ransomware by having up-to-date backups of all your personal data (documents, photos etc). Make sure you do not leave your backup device connected to your PC otherwise your backup files will be encrypted along with your working copies.

Cybercriminals net $1.2b from Australians: Report - Computerworld:

Google’s New “About Me” Page

Useful way of checking what is available publicly ...
To check your "About Me" page you need to go to https://aboutme.google.com/ when you are logged into your Google account.

Google’s New “About Me” Page Lets You Control What Personal Info Others Can See | TechCrunch:

Booming crypto ransomware

Ransomware - a booming industry we don't want ...
Be very careful to NOT click on links or open attachments on emails from supposedly Fedex, Australia Post etc. If in doubt as to its origin just delete! Never leave you backup hard drive connected to your PC!!

Booming crypto ransomware industry employs new tricks to befuddle victims | Ars Technica:

“USB Killer” flash drive

Now here's something to put you off flash drives ...
Watch those flash drives that you get for free and not in a packet from a reputable manufacturer. Another reason to use the 'Cloud' for backing up and transferring data!

“USB Killer” flash drive can fry your computer’s innards in seconds | Ars Technica:

Avoid Windows 10 ransomware

Don't be caught by Windows 10 Ransomware ...
Don't get sucked in by this latest attempt to encrypt all your personal files and then seek a ransom. Microsoft will never distribute software via email!

Avoiding Windows 10 ransomware - Computerworld:

Microsoft gets tough on Ask

At last, Microsoft judges ASK Toolbar as malware ...
Never understood why company like Oracle would ever stoop so low as to be party to installing the Ask Toolbar when most people regard it as a curse!

Ding dong, the witch is dead: Microsoft AV gets tough on Ask Toolbar | Ars Technica:

Smart Lock Passwords Mgr

Simplifying log-on for Android Apps ...
This would be a great benefit to thousands of Android app developers.

Google Launches Smart Lock Passwords Manager For Android To Make Signing Into Apps Easier | TechCrunch:

Gmail’s New Login Screens

Google's new Login Screens may have confused a few ...
All part of tightening security even if it does have disadvantages for password managers.

Gmail’s New Login Screens Hints At A Future Beyond Passwords | TechCrunch:

Google Privacy & Security

Focusing attention on security and privacy ...
This is a good move, I have explored it all and it looks good. Well worth spending a few minutes to review your security and privacy settings in Google.

Google Centralizes Privacy And Security Controls On New Web Dashboard | TechCrunch:

Essential security software

Interesting collection of Security Tools ...
Some interesting security tools. I have used/use some of these tools but I make not recommmendation as to their effectiveness.

Essential security software for your PC | Software News | TechRadar:

Inside CryptoWall 2.0

Interesting description of Cryptowall 2.0 ...
This is THE malware you really don't want to see! An excellent article for the technically minded.

Inside CryptoWall 2.0: Ransomware, professional edition | Ars Technica:

Google-backed FIDO

New FIDO standard may end the need for passwords ...
This new security standard will allow for multiple ways of authenticating you when logging into to websites and apps. Still lots of work to be done but at least we are on the way to a better system than passwords.

Google-backed password-killer crosses major milestone | The Verge:

Google's new CAPTCHA

Frustrating CAPTCHAs on their way out ...
At last a better way of checking if you are a robot!

Google's new CAPTCHA test to see if you're a robot simply asks if you're a robot:

Download: Malwarebytes

MalwareBytes - a long time favourite of mine ...
Free MalwareBytes is a great start when you suspect malware may be lurking in your PC.

Download of the day: Malwarebytes | News | TechRadar:

Google's USB Security Key

A new alternative for 2 Step Verification ...
For some this will provide a more convenient method for 2 step verification than having to enter another generated code.

Google Launches USB Security Key Support To Keep Accounts Safe | TechCrunch:

My PC almost carked it

That dreadful moment when you fear the worst ...
Some very worthwhile lessons to be learnt, particularly for small businesses, in this article about a serious virus attack.

My computer almost carked it:

Google Security Improvements

Google is trying to focus users on account security ...
Definitely encourage everyone who is seriously into Google accounts to regularly run through the Wizard referred to in this article.

Google to Apps users: take more responsibility for protecting your accounts - Computerworld: