A group of security researchers has uncovered a concerning security flaw in certain hotel keycard systems. Nicknamed ‘Unsaflok’, their technique uses vulnerabilities in a specific brand of RFID-based keycard locks commonly used in hotels worldwide to ‘trick’ a smartlock into opening for an unauthorized user. Exploiting this security weakness means that anyone with the right equipment could break in and rob hotel guests.

How does the hack work?

The Unsaflok technique exploits weaknesses in encryption protocols and RFID technology used by these keycard systems. By obtaining any keycard from a target hotel and using a relatively affordable RFID read-write device, hackers create two keycards. Tapping the first card overwrites certain settings stored in the target lock itself. The second then unlocks the door, allowing the hacker to gain access. Shockingly, this process takes less than 30 seconds.

Even more concerning is that the compromised cards will also unlock the door’s deadbolt.

Am I in danger?

Clearly this is a serious problem, particularly when you realize that the affected locks are installed on millions of hotel room doors across the world. The security of guest rooms, hotel property, and guest safety could be threatened. And all it takes is two taps of compromised keycards.

The hacking group who ‘discovered’ this technique have chosen not to publicly disclose full details of the exploit. Instead they have worked with the manufacturer of the affected door locks to develop a fix which has proven to be effective.

There is one potential problem however – every single door lock must be visited and updated. Each affected hotel will also need to upgrade their keycard management system software.

While the manufacturer is actively working on mitigating these vulnerabilities, only a fraction of installed systems have been updated. Hotels and their guests continue to be at risk until the updates have been rolled out.

How can I protect myself against Unsaflok?

Whenever you check into a hotel for the first time, take a look at the lock on your door. If there is a wavy line across the round RFID reader, the lock may be vulnerable. You may also consider using a security tool like the NFC Taginfo app which can “read” your keycard and identify if it is still vulnerable to Unsaflok-like attacks. 

You should also follow the usual precautionary measures such as securing valuables in the hotel safe. When you are inside your room, use any additional door locks and chains if they are provided. And if your keycard is lost or stolen, report the incident to hotel reception as soon as possible.

The Unsaflok revelation serves as a reminder of the evolving nature of cybersecurity threats. It should also remind travelers of the importance of remaining vigilant to avoid becoming the victim of crime.

Read also: Data Privacy: A Guide for Individuals & Families

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A British cybersecurity expert has called for a ban on ransomware payments to hackers. In an article for The Times, Ciaran Martin, former CEO of the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), has called for the government to outlaw the practice.

Under Martin’s proposal, ransom payments would be made illegal. Any businesses making a payment to ransomware scammers would be prosecuted.

Why should ransom payments be made illegal?

Ransomware is one of the most significant cybersecurity threats today. According to one report, more than $1bn was paid in ransoms in 2023 – and they expect that figure to rise again this year. For hackers, ransomware is a cheap, easy way to generate a lot of money – fast.

Seeing so many ransoms being paid encourages other cybercriminals to launch their own digital extortion campaigns. But Martin believes that if businesses are banned from making payments, financially-motivated ransomware attacks will stop because criminals will no longer be able to receive payment.

As one threat analyst commented, “For as long as ransomware payments remain lawful, cybercriminals will do whatever it takes to collect them. The only solution is to financially disincentivize attacks by completely prohibiting the payment of demands. At this point, a ban is the only approach that is likely to work.”

With no way to pay, and no prospect of receiving payment, criminals will stop using ransomware.

Does everyone agree?

Official UK government advice already states that victims should not pay any ransoms. But the reality is that many businesses could collapse if they are unable to access their IT systems. There is an implicit understanding that in some cases, paying a ransom is the only way out of the situation.

Experts believe that making it illegal to pay ransoms will simply accelerate this trend, bankrupting victims who have no other way of recovering their data. It will take time for new laws to take effect. And ransomware attacks are likely to continue for some time afterwards.

Other sources suggest that victims will simply continue to pay ransoms illegally. Should this happen, both victim and attacker become criminals. Any company paying an illegal ransom also opens themselves to becoming a target for blackmail.

Will anything change?

For the moment, no. Facing pressure from those for and against banning ransom payments, the UK government does not currently have any plans to address the situation in law. It is also worth noting that any such ban would only apply to British companies. Leaving ransomware criminals to target organizations anywhere else.

However, should one nation take a step towards banning ransom payments, it is likely that others follow. Stamping out cybercrime will take coordinated cooperation, but we have seen in the recent past that it can be made to work.

Whether ransom payments are outlawed or not, our advice remains the same. Always ensure that all your devices are properly protected with an antimalware solution like Panda Dome.

The post Is the UK about to ban ransomware payments? appeared first on Panda Security Mediacenter.

Consumers in the U.S. will soon see IoT devices sold with a strange little logo on the box called the U.S. Cyber Trust Mark. The label will be the equivalent of the Energy Star logo but for cybersecurity-conscious customers. It will be in the shape of a midlevel shield with a string of connected squares on it.  

While the Energy Star logo gives confidence to buyers who care about the environment, the U.S. Cyber Trust Mark will aim to provide the same peace of mind for tech junkies who want to make sure that the products they buy are built to the highest cyber security standards. 

The need for trustworthy products

Differentiating trustworthy products in the marketplace has never been more critical. As experts believe there will be approximately 30 billion connected devices globally by the end of this decade.

Implementation and standards

The first logo appearances will be on wireless consumer IoT products that meet the program’s cybersecurity standards. Also will be accompanied by a QR code explaining the details of the security of the product they are purchasing. 

Connected devices that have met the robust FCC cyber security standards will proudly display the U.S. Cyber Trust Mark on their packaging, with the first logo sightings expected this year. The government hopes this will protect hard-working families from buying products that are not cyber-secure enough. 

Government initiatives and industry participation

The new label program encourages large manufacturers of connected devices, retailers, and federal partners to take advantage of the new logo and proudly display it on products that meet FCC’s cyber security standards. The logo display is voluntary. But the FCC hopes that with time, more and more consumers will demand it from manufacturers. And the program will get mass adoption. Compliance testing, which would allow manufacturers to legally include the cyber security logo on products, will be done by accredited labs.

Combatting Cyber Threats

Over the last few years, many high-profile attacks have come from armies of unsecured IoT devices. Mainly consisting of compromised home security cameras, WiFi routers, fitness trackers, and other connected devices released to consumers with cyber security holes and inadequate tech support. 

Hackers use IoT botnets of infected devices to launch DDoS attacks that often disrupt federal and private business organizations. In most cases, consumers don’t even know that the products they use at home or work are infected.  And part of bot armies terrorizing different targets worldwide. 

The U.S. government hopes that the new logo and companies’ efforts to obtain it will tackle botnets and decrease the number of devices with weak cyber security reaching the hands of U.S. consumers.

Read also: Cybersecurity survey: 36% of Europeans don’t even have an IoT device

The post What is the U.S. Cyber Trust Mark? appeared first on Panda Security Mediacenter.

Research conducted by Channel 4 News, a UK nightly news show, has uncovered a massive explosion in deepfake pornography. According to the program, more than 4000 celebrities have had their likenesses used to create pornographic images and videos.

With generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools users are able to ‘map’ faces of well-known celebrities onto existing pornographic videos. This then gives the impression that the celebrity has participated willingly in the films.

What is going on?

As with all new technologies, someone, somewhere is always looking for a way to exploit it. Deepfake videos have been used to recreate concerts by music legends or resurrect long-dead movie stars. But the same technology can be used to create and share illegal content online – such as deepfake pornography.

Channel 4’s investigation into the five most popular deepfake websites discovered that more than 4000 individuals had had their likenesses stolen and reused in fabricated nude images. Of these, 252 were identified as coming from the UK, including female actors, TV stars, musicians and YouTubers.

The program also recounts how in 2016 there was just one deepfake pornography video posted online. In the first three-quarters of 2023, 143,733 new deepfake porn videos were uploaded to the 40 most used deepfake pornography sites – more than in all the previous years combined.

Are deepfakes legal?

Most experts agree that being a victim of deepfake pornography is deeply distressing, humiliating and dehumanizing. Unsurprisingly, governments across the world are working to better combat deepfakes and protect victims. 

In the UK, sharing deepfake porn without the permission of the person depicted is now illegal under the Online Safety Act. However, no one has yet been arrested or prosecuted for doing so. Notably, it is not illegal to create deepfake imagery – it is sharing that content which is banned.

What are the web giants doing about deepfakes?

Most web content hosts are still struggling to meet their obligations regarding detecting and removing deepfake content, but it seems that Google is leading the way. Speaking to Channel 4, a spokesperson said;

“Under our policies, people can have pages that feature this content and include their likeness removed from search. And while this is a technical challenge for search engines, we’re actively developing additional safeguards on Google search – including tools to help people protect themselves at scale, along with ranking improvements to address this content broadly.”

This offers victims some level of protection – but only after the deepfake content has begun circulate online. 

The battle against deepfake content continues to evolve, as does generative artificial intelligence. Legal frameworks like the Online Safety Act do provide some safeguards – and should help to deter some would be pornographers. But with so many different legal standards across the globe, it will remain difficult for service providers to properly police the content being uploaded and viewed by their users.

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Finding WiFi in a foreign country can be a hassle. You may be unsure of which WiFi network to choose or give up and switch to LTE, incurring expensive fees. Though WiFi when traveling isn’t a necessity, it does make life a lot easier. That’s why we put together a comprehensive guide on how to find WiFi anywhere you go. From using WiFi hotspot apps to taking advantage of free loyalty programs, there are many ways you can stay connected.

1. Find a Chain Establishment

Maybe you are in a foreign land and need to message a family member or take a last minute business call. Many restaurants and hotel chains around the world offer free WiFi for your convenience. Most of the time, it’s a simple login page with perhaps an ad or two. Some chains ask for an email address — we suggest providing your “spam email” or an unimportant email address.

Retailers

1. Apple Store
2. Barnes and Noble
3. Best Buy
4. Bloomingdales
5. Gap Inc.
6. H&M
7. IKEA
8. Lowes
9. Macy’s
10. Michaels
11. Microsoft Store
12. Nordstrom
13. Office Depot
14. Safeway
15. Sam’s Club
16. Sephora
17. Staples
18. Target
19. Urban Outfitters
20. Whole Foods

Restaurants

1. Applebee’s
2. Arby’s
3. Boston Market
4. Buffalo Wild Wings
5. Burger King
6. Chick-Fil-A
7. Denny’s
8. Dunkin
9. Einstein Bros.
10. Jimmy John’s
11. Hooters
12. IHOP
13. Krispy Kreme
14. McDonalds
15. Panera
16. Peet’s Coffee
17. Qdoba
18. Quiznos
19. Starbucks
20. Subway
21. Taco Bell
22. The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf
23. Wendy’s

Hotel Chain

1. Marriott (free for all rewards members)
2. Hyatt (free for all guests)
3. Extended Stay America
4. Best Western
5. Comfort Inn
6. Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts
7. Holiday Inn
8. Ritz Carlton (free for reward members)
9. Walt Disney Resorts
10. Motel 6  

2. Use WiFi Hotspot Apps

While finding free WiFi is great, many question whether the network is safe to join. While we always advise that you use a VPN when accessing free WiFi, you can also download WiFi hotspot apps. These can pinpoint WiFi locations that you can connect to, including networks that are hidden from view. The apps can also show you WiFi networks that are outside your vicinity.

1. Wiffinity

This app offers free WiFi connectivity in just about every city in the world. It contains an interactive map that pinpoints all the hotspots near you. By clicking on the Free WiFi Near Me button, Wiffinity will show you how far you are from the nearest WiFi hotspot and how to get there. Users can also add WiFi networks that are not in the database.

2. WifiMapper

This WiFi app stores nearly half a billion WiFi networks in its database. It also can remove all hotspots that have a fee, time limit or require you to register using a filter system. Much like other apps, this app allows users to agree whether the hotspot is free or requires a paid subscription.

3. Facebook

The Facebook mobile app is an easy way to find quick WiFi if you have already installed the app. To find free internet on the app, open the More menu and then tap Find Wi-Fi. You may need to select See More at the bottom to show it. If you cannot find WiFi networks where you are located, you can select a different area on the map and select Search this area to look there.  

4. WeFi

This WiFi app automatically connects your device to the best network in your location. It also contains a map where it shows WiFi hotspots around you. WeFi delivers up to two times faster data transfer speeds on average in comparison to manual WiFi selection.

3. Go to a Public Shared Space

Sometimes you might not want to purchase something to gain access to free WiFi. That’s where public shared spaces come in handy. We listed some of the most popular public transit services and museums that offer free WiFi services.

Here are some popular public places that host free WiFi:

• Most U.S. public libraries
• US. Metro locations
• Amtrak
• Boltbus
• Megabus
• Art Institute of Chicago
• National Mall
• Museum of Modern Art
• Louvre (certain hot spots)
• Byzantine Museum
• British Museum
• National Museum of China

4. Rent a Travel WiFi Router

Depending on where you are headed, it may be worth it to rent travel WiFi. Free public WiFi can have slow connection speeds, unreliable security and a plethora of other travelers taking up signal. Mobile hotspots can offer reliable, fast internet that does not cause you to change your cell phone plan or purchase a travel router.

This is best for someone who will need strong, reliable WiFi that keeps data secure. It also charges in less than 3 hours and has about 6 hours of device usage. Renting travel WiFi starts at around $10 a day, but the longer you rent it for, the cheap the rate becomes. You can purchase most travel WiFi devices online.

A few of the best rent travel WiFi devices:

1. TEP Wireless
2. Roaming Man
3. Travel WiFi
4. Google Project Fi
5. Keepgo
6. Always Online Wireless
7. Skyroam
8. HooToo
9. GlocalMe

5. Use Your Internet Service Provider’s Hotspots

One simple way to find travel WiFi? Use your home provider. If you’re a Comcast user, you will have access to Xfinity WiFi networks when traveling. For most ISP networks, check their WiFi page on the main site or download the hotspot app for your ISP. Find a hotspot by entering an address or form of location. Then connect to your ISP’s available hotspots.

Helpful ISP Hotspot pages:

• AT&T
• Xfinity
• Spectrum
• Frontier WiFi

6. Sign Up for a Loyalty Program

Maybe you are in a hotel that does not offer free WiFi or are in a store with a long line and want a quick distraction. Loyalty programs are great ways to connect to free WiFi when password-free connections are not available. Hotels like Hilton give free WiFi for those who sign up for Hilton Honors Rewards, a free service that offers discounts and a points system for members.

7. Use Your Phone As a Hotspot

When in doubt, you can always use your phone as a hotspot device (also known as tethering), although this may be a costly choice unless you have an unlimited data plan. Some carriers have restrictions or fees associated with tethering, like only being able to use a certain amount of data for tethering, so be sure to check with your provider.

Android Tethering

1. Open Settings and tap the More option under Wireless & Networks.
2. Tap Tethering & portable hotspot.
3. Tap Hotspot & tethering and this is where you’ll be able to configure your phone’s WiFi hotspot. You can also change its SSID and password.
4. Keep the security set to WPA2 PSK.
5. Click Save.

iPhone Tethering

Note: iPhone must be 3G or later to support tethering.

1. Go to Settings > General > Network.
2. Tap the Personal Hotspot option.
3. Select the WiFi password option to prevent unwanted devices from connecting.

8. Find WiFi in Your City

When you are exploring a new city or on a mission to find a location, internal city WiFi can be a big help. Many large cities around the globe offer free WiFi to those within a certain mile radius of the city’s center. These are some of the best cities on earth to pick up free WiFi.

• Malmö, Sweden
• Tel Aviv, Israel
• NYC, U.S.
• Seoul, South Korea
• Bangladore, India
• Osaka, Japan
• London, U.K.
• Dublin, Ireland
• Paris, France
• Florence, Italy
• Vienna, Austria
• Perth, Australia
• Barcelona, Spain

9. Join a Community

Lastly, before embarking on your journey, you may want to consider joining a community. With an app like Instabridge, you can find crowdsourced WiFi connections all in one place. WiFi communities help you connect with others who have been to your locations and rated the WiFi quality. This is a good way to plan ahead if you’ll need WiFi for more than a few hours.

10. Connect to a Hidden Network

You can also use tools like NetSpot. Once a hidden network is identified and you’ve located the SSID, type of security used, and password, here’s how you connect to it:

Windows 10

1. Open Settings.
2. Choose Network and Internet.
3. Select WiFi from the left menu.
4. Choose Manage Known Networks.
5. Select Add a new network.
6. Enter the SSID, select the security tape and enter the password.
7. Select Connect Automatically in order to connect this network whenever available.

Android

1. Open WiFi application.
2. Scroll to the bottom of the list and then click on Add WiFi.
3. Add the WiFi network name from the router.
4. Then select the encryption type in Security. Ie. WPA, PSKWPA2-PSK.
5. Enter the password and click connect.

iPhone

1. Go to Settings > Wi-Fi and toggle Wi-Fi on.
2. Select Other and enter the SSID in the Name bar.
3. Select the Security type. Ie. WEP, WPA.
4. Tap Other Network to return to the previous screen.
5. Enter the network password in the password field and click Join.

Apple

1. Click on the WiFi icon at the top right of your screen next to the power icon.
2. Select Join Other Network near the bottom.
3. Type in the hidden network SSID in the Network Name field.
4. Choose the Security type.
5. Select Remember This Network if you’d like your computer to connect each time.
6. Click Join.

How to Stay Safe on Public WiFi

As you can see, there are a variety of ways you can find yourself free WiFi. Whether you are on vacation, traveling to see family during the holidays or on a business trip, the internet is essential to stay connected. While public WiFi may be convenient, it’s important to be cautious when connecting. One of the most foolproof ways to stay safe on public WiFi is with a VPN. A VPN encrypts your data, hides your location and allows you to surf the web anonymously.

Other ways to stay safe:

• Use HTTPS sites only
• Refrain from accessing confidential data (ex. bank account)
• Give a secondary “spam” email for sign-ups
• Avoid performing online transactions
• Cover your keyboard when entering any passwords or credentials
• Install an antivirus that includes parental controls for kids accessing public WiFi
• Always make sure paid WiFi is legitimate and use a third-party payment system
• Keep antivirus up-to-date

Sources:

The Simple Dollar | PC Mag | Consumer Reports | Boost and Co | Slideshare | Netspot App | Lifewire | Profandroid.com | The Windows Club | Hilton Honors | How to Geek | PC World | CN Traveler | World of Wanderlust |

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When a virtual private network (VPN) works properly, it prevents your online activity from being tracked. To do this, it connects your devices to remote servers and encrypts your data streams, preventing your internet service provider (ISP) from reading your online activity. However, VPNs don’t always work perfectly, and a failed VPN can open the door to a number of security issues.

Even if your VPN app says you’re connected, there could still be a leak. This may leave you wondering, “Is my VPN working?” Luckily, you can perform several quick tests to check if your VPN is working properly and spot any potential vulnerabilities that may be causing issues.

Table of Contents: 

• How Do I Know if My VPN Is Working?
• How to Check Your IP Address for Leaks
• How to Check for DNS Leaks
• How to Check for WebRTC Leaks
• How to Check if Your VPN Connection Is Blocked
• Common Types of VPN Leaks
• What to Do if Your VPN Is Not Working
• Tips to Protect Your VPN Software

How Do I Know if My VPN Is Working?

When a device is properly connected to a VPN, its IP address should reflect the location of the VPN server it’s connected to. If your IP address shows your device’s actual IP while connected to a VPN, you may have a leak.

If you’re not sure whether or not your VPN is working properly, there are a few things you can do to check for potential vulnerabilities. To start, we’ll walk through how to check different types of VPN leaks and explain how to test for each one.

How to Check Your IP Address for Leaks

One of a VPN’s primary functions is to keep your IP address hidden, and a simple manual IP leak test can reveal whether your IP address is secure or not. Follow the steps below to test your VPN for an IP leak: 

Step 1: Go to Google, type “What is my IP?” and write down your IP address.

Step 2: Open your VPN application and activate your VPN. 

Step 3: Look up your IP address again on Google. You can confirm your changed IP address by comparing your original IP address (before you connected to the VPN) to the new IP address (after connecting to the VPN.) 

Step 4: If your IP address remains the same even after connecting to the VPN, you have a VPN leak.  

How to Fix an IP Leak

If your true IP address leaks through the VPN, here is what you can try to fix it:

• Restart your VPN application and device. This can sometimes resolve temporary glitches.
• Ensure you’re properly connected to the VPN server.

• Temporarily disable your firewall or antivirus to see if it fixes the leak. If it does, consult your software documentation or firewall settings to adjust them for VPN compatibility.

How to Check for DNS Leaks

Checking for DNS leaks is similar to testing your VPN for a protected IP address. They’re easy to spot manually by searching geo-restricted sites with your server set in a different location. Use the manual DNS leak test to uncover an unarmed VPN.

Step 1: Access and sign in to your VPN account. This will change your original IP address. 

Step 2: Head over to a geo-restricted website. For example, Netflix.com is available in over 190 countries but the content differs depending on your location. If you are unable to access the website with content exclusively available in some other country, you likely have a DNS leak.

To catch any vulnerabilities that might have slipped through the cracks, it’s a good idea to go a step further and test with a tool like DNSLeakTest.

Step 3: With your VPN turned off, head to DNSLeakTest.com, which will show your IP address and general location. Select the “Standard Test” option.

Step 4: Check the IP addresses of the domains that show up. Take a photo or write them down.

Step 5: Turn your VPN on and run a new test. The IP addresses displayed should be different from those that appeared in the first step. If they’re not, you likely have a DNS leak.

How to Fix a DNS Leak

If you think you have a DNS leak, secure your connection with these steps:

• Check your VPN settings: If you discover a DNS leak, the first step is to check your VPN settings. Many VPNs offer built-in DNS leak protection. Ensure this feature is enabled. You might also be able to configure your VPN to use its own private DNS servers, further improving security.
• Update or reinstall your VPN: Outdated VPN software can sometimes lead to leaks. Make sure you’re using the latest version of your VPN application. If the problem persists after updating, try reinstalling the VPN entirely. This can fix internal software problems that might be causing the leak.
• Contact your VPN provider: If neither of the above solutions work, contact your VPN provider’s customer support. They may have specific troubleshooting steps for your situation or offer alternative configurations to prevent DNS leaks.

You might also consider switching to a more secure VPN provider — you’ll want to find one with its own encrypted DNS servers. This ensures your VPN won’t reveal your DNS information to third parties.

How to Check for WebRTC Leaks

A WebRTC leak occurs when your browser displays your actual IP address, even when your VPN is enabled. Follow the three WebRTC leak test steps to find out if you have this type of leak.

Step 1: Turn your VPN off and head to BrowserLeaks.com. You should see your actual IP address under Public IP Address.

Step 2: Connect to your VPN and refresh the page. Under Public IP Address, you should see a different IP address listed, which would be the masked IP address of your VPN.

If you still see your actual IP address after the WebRTC test, your VPN is leaking your IP address when your browser makes WebRTC requests.

How to Fix a WebRTC Leak

WebRTC leaks can expose your true IP address, even when using a VPN. Here are a few ways to fix it:

• Disable WebRTC in your browser: This method requires some technical knowledge and also varies by browser. Keep in mind that disabling WebRTC in your browser may disable features like video calls.
• Use a VPN with WebRTC protection: If you consider switching to a new VPN, look for a service that specifically advertises WebRTC leak protection. Many popular VPN providers offer this feature.

How to Check if Your VPN Connection Is Blocked

Sometimes websites restrict access for VPN users, forcing you to disconnect to view their content. This can be frustrating, especially when you’re traveling and want to access geo-restricted content from home.

Here’s a quick way to check if your VPN is blocked:

• Try accessing a website: Connect to your VPN and attempt to access a website you suspect might be blocking VPN users.
• Check for access denied: If the website displays an error message about VPN usage or restricts access, your VPN might be blocked.

Here’s what you can do if your VPN is blocked:

• Switch servers: Some VPNs offer obfuscated servers specifically designed to bypass website restrictions. Try connecting to one of these servers and revisit the website.
• Use a dedicated IP address: Another option is to use a dedicated IP address from your VPN provider. This assigns a unique IP address only to you, making it less likely to be flagged as a VPN.

If switching servers or using a dedicated IP grants you access to the website, your VPN is functioning properly. It’s just the website itself that’s restricting VPN connections.

How to Run a Speed Test

A VPN adds some security overhead, which can slightly slow down your internet connection. Here’s how to measure the impact on your internet speed:

Step 1: Disconnect your VPN: Temporarily disconnect from your VPN. This establishes a baseline for your internet speed without the VPN affecting it.

Step 2: Run a speed test: Visit a website like Speedtest.net. Click the “GO” button and wait for the test to finish. This will measure your download speed, upload speed and ping (latency).

Step 3: Reconnect your VPN: Connect to your VPN server of choice.

Step 4: Run another speed test: Repeat the speed test, then compare the results to your baseline test from before.

Common Types of VPN Leaks

Users typically subscribe to VPN providers thinking that the service they pay for will protect their online privacy. A VPN test that points to your information being leaked can be unsettling. There are three types of VPN leaks that can occur, and being able to identify them helps users be prepared to fix any leaks they find.

IP Leak

An Internet Protocol (IP) address is a unique string of numbers assigned to any device connected to the internet. As you browse the internet, your IP address is linked to your searches, clicks, visits and geographical location. Masking IP addresses is one of the most popular reasons for using a VPN, and when a leak occurs, your IP address becomes vulnerable.

DNS Leak

A Domain Name System (DNS) server functions like a translator. Its job is to translate a request for a website into a specific IP number, allowing users to navigate the internet with ease. This system is in place so you don’t have to memorize an IP address every time you visit a website — all you need to do is remember a website’s name.

When you browse the internet, DNS requests are sent to fetch the IP addresses of the domains you want to visit. Without a VPN, these requests go through the unsecured tunnel of your ISP, giving your ISP a detailed browsing history of every DNS request you send. If your VPN has a DNS leak, your browsing history, IP address, and ISP location will be revealed.

WebRTC Leak

Web Real-Time Communication (WebRTC) essentially allows for instantaneous video, voice and message sharing within the browser. In other words, it’s a technology that lets web browsers directly communicate with each other online.

This is very helpful for peer-to-peer, browser-based communication, but users have found that WebRTC opens up vulnerabilities in VPNs. A WebRTC leak occurs when your browser reveals your IP address when making WebRTC requests, even while connected to a VPN. With just a few lines of code, any site can expose your IP address and location.

If the IP addresses didn’t change after you turned your back VPN on, you might have a DNS leak.

What to Do if Your VPN Is Not Working 

If you’ve performed the VPN tests above and you’re still having issues, there are a handful of other reasons why your VPN isn’t working properly. Before you give up, try these tips: 

• Ensure a stable internet connection: Make sure your internet connection is working and that you’ve entered the correct username and password for your VPN. A simple restart of your device and the VPN application can often resolve connection glitches.
• Verify server status: The VPN server you’re trying to connect to might be experiencing downtime. Check your VPN provider’s website for information on server status.
• Reset settings: Try switching to a different VPN protocol (e.g., OpenVPN, IKEv2) or port number. You can find these options within your VPN application settings, or consult your provider’s guide for available options.
• Update and reinstall: Ensure you’re using the latest version of the VPN application. Outdated software can cause connection problems. If the issue persists, try reinstalling the VPN application entirely. This can fix internal software problems.
• Run a leak test: Leaks can expose your true IP address or location even when connected to a VPN. Use a free online leak test to see if your VPN is working properly.
• Seek support: If none of these tips work, contact your VPN provider’s customer support for further assistance. They may have specific troubleshooting steps or offer alternative configurations to get your VPN working smoothly.

Tips to Protect Your VPN Software 

Ideally, your VPN software runs automatically and won’t require much manual attention from you. However, periodically checking that your software is running properly can help you catch any vulnerabilities ahead of time. Use the tips below to ensure your VPN is working to the best of its ability.

• Frequently check your VPN by running the manual tests outlined above.
• Verify that your VPN provider supports IPv6 addresses so that IP leaks will not happen.
• Check whether your VPN provider automatically blocks DNS leaks. Some do and some don’t — if yours doesn’t, you might want to switch to a provider that provides this service for more security.
• Disable WebRTC in your browser or add an extension to prevent WebRTC leaks.

Whether you’re seeking more control over your online privacy or you would like to watch video content from other countries, a free VPN service is a great tool for quickly and effectively securing your location and online activity. To keep your browsing history leak-free and protected, ask yourself, “Is my VPN working?” and be sure to check your connections frequently.

Sources: Global Sign | PC Mag | Secure Thoughts | Life Hacker

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Rewards For Justice (RFJ), a U.S. government interagency rewards program. Offers up to $10 million reward for any information that could lead to the identification or location of any person from the ALPHV cyber gang, also known as BlackCat, who attacks U.S. critical infrastructure.

The reward offered by the intelligence-driven law enforcement government program is similar to what the RFJ provides for information about high-profile Yemeni and Saudi terrorist elements and al-Qa’ida members.

Targeting critical infrastructure and the change healthcare attack

The U.S. government takes attacks on critical infrastructure very seriously. As such activities violate the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA). RFJ’s sudden attention to the cyber gang is likely a response to the recent cyberattack on UnitedHealth’s sub-company Change Healthcare. Affiliates of the hacker organization stole approximately six terabytes of data during a security incident earlier this year.

Change Healthcare operates the largest financial and administrative information exchange in the United States and was hit by bad actors in February 2024. The attack was massive and disruptive, with some partner healthcare providers claiming to lose upwards of $100 million per day because of the breach. Even though many believe UnitedHealth paid a $22 million ransom to the hackers, the health insurance company is still dealing with the fallout after the attack and is working on processing over $14 billion in claims.

BlackCat: A RaaS gang behind major attacks

BlackCat, also known as ALPHV and Noberus, is a ransomware-as-a-service (RaaS) cyber gang. And it has been somehow connected to some of the most significant ransomware attacks over the last few years. The popular cyber gang provides its ransomware malicious code to affiliates, who then attack organizations for monetary gain. Affiliates of the popular cyber gang were behind the attack on Reddit and the breaches of MGM Resorts International and Caesars Entertainment.

In an eyebrow-raising twist, the affiliates responsible for the UnitedHealth heist might have been scammed out of the money themselves. As soon after BlackCat confirmed receipt of the $22 million ransom, decided to pull an exit scam and run away with the digital funds, as the group now displays a fake banner saying that the FBI and other criminal agencies have seized the server. Usually, after a victim pays a ransom, the BlackCat gang splits the money with the affiliates who executed the attack. But in this case, the BlackCat decided not to split the payment and move on with their lives. Essentially scamming the people who pulled out the heist.

Read also: FBI makes a move against ALPHV/Blackcat, the cybergang fights back

Unmasking BlackCat: RFJ seeks information

The location of the gang leaders and the affiliates associated with the attack remains unknown. U.S. government agencies hope that the $10 million reward offered by RFJ will help law enforcement agencies finally have a breakthrough on the criminal organization. Organization that has been torturing both government and private organizations in the U.S. and abroad for years.

The scope of the hacker organization’s attacks is so massive and sophisticated. Because of that, RFJ believes the RaaS organization is likely acting under the direction or control of a foreign government. However, the RFJ reward notice does not name specific countries that could be supporting the ALPHV BlackCat hacker group.

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A new smart home security standard is due to launch in the second half of this year. That’s according to a recent announcement by the Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA), the organization behind the cross-platform “Matter” smart home technology.

This new, voluntary framework will allow smart home/IoT manufacturers to have their devices tested and certified for compliance against a common security standard. Devices that pass the certification testing will then be awarded the Product Security Verified (PSV) Mark.

Building trust in IoT

Security professionals have been warning about the potential risks associated with insecure smart home devices for several years. Indeed, the Panda Security blog has covered the issue of weak smart home security several times in the past.

This announcement from the Connectivity Standards Alliance is welcome news. Although the standard remains voluntary, it shows a willingness from manufacturers to take the issue of household security seriously. It also means that consumers will find it much easier to choose products that have been certified as meeting a certain standard of security.

What does the new standard mean?

In the US, there is already a ‘Cyber Trust Mark’ security standard that manufacturers can apply for. The new PSV mark seeks to go further by taking the US guidelines and combining similar requirements from other countries, such as Singapore and Europe.

In this way the CSA hopes to deliver a single security specification that can be quickly adopted and endorsed by governments across the world. Should this happen, manufacturers will have to complete only one certification process to sell their devices into multiple markets.

Encouragingly, the PSV mark has already been recognized by the government of Singapore. And the CSA has also announced they are in talks with authorities in the USA, EU and UK about endorsing the mark. Some reports suggest that these agreements are already almost complete.

What does the PSV Mark require?

Most of the basic PSV certification requirements are sensible – and much needed. To earn the mark, certified devices must: 

• Have a unique identity for each IoT Device
• Not use hardcoded default passwords
• Ensure the device securely stores any sensitive data
• Security-relevant information communications must also secure/encrypt
• Throughout the support period, the provider must supply secure software updates
• Organizations must secure development processes against supply chain attacks, including vulnerability management
• Documentation regarding security and the manufacturer support period must be published publicly. 

Most reputable vendors should already adhere to most of these requirements. However, the PSV Mark enables consumers to know exactly what they are getting when buying a new smart device.

As vocal advocates of increased privacy and security, Panda Security welcomes the new PSV Mark and look forward to its imminent release.

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Red Hat has issued an “urgent security alert” warning of an attack detected in two versions of the popular XZ Utils data compression library (formerly known as LZMA Utils).

Attack details CVE-2024-3094

The attack, identified as CVE-2024-3094, has been given the highest possible CVSS score of 10.0. Indicating a threat of maximum severity. The Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) is used to assess the severity and security risk to the system using a scale of 0 to 10. The affected versions are 5.6.0 (released on February 24th) and 5.6.1 (released on March 9th) of XZ Utils.

Impact and recommended action

According to statements by the IBM subsidiary. The liblzma compilation process extracts a file of pre-compiled objects from a test file camouflaged in the source code. Thus allowing modification of specific functions in the liblzma code. This results in a modified library that can be used by any software linked to it. Making it easier to intercept and modify data interaction with that library.

Specifically, the malicious code seeks to interfere with the sshd daemon process for SSH (Secure Shell) through the systemd software suite. Potentially allowing an attacker to break sshd authentication and gain unauthorised access to the system remotely.

Origin and response

Microsoft security researcher Andres Freund has been credited with discovering and reporting the issue. The malicious code was introduced by a user named Jia Tan (JiaT75) in a series of inputs to the Tukaani project on GitHub. In response, GitHub has disabled the Tukaani Project’s XZ Utils repository due to a violation of its terms of service.

Although there are no reports of active exploitation in the wild. Fedora Linux 40 users are advised to upgrade to version 5.4 of XZ Utils. Other affected distributions include Arch Linux, Kali Linux, openSUSE Tumbleweed and MicroOS, as well as all versions of Debian categorised as test, unstable or experimental.

As a precaution, the US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has issued an alert. Urging users to downgrade XZ Utils to a non-compromised version (e.g. XZ Utils 5.4.6 Stable).

This incident highlights the importance of security in the software supply chain and underscores the need for continued vigilance by the cyber security community.

Read also: LockBit Locked Down

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In today’s interconnected world, every click, swipe and share leave a trail of digital footprints behind. Your data is constantly collected, analyzed and sometimes exploited without your consent. As technology advances, so do the methods used to track and monetize your online activities. This is where the importance of data privacy comes into play.

What Is Data Privacy?

Data privacy refers to the protection of sensitive information from unauthorized access, use or disclosure. It encompasses the measures individuals and organizations take to control who has access to their data and how it is used.

Why Is Data Privacy Important?

The more you know about data privacy, the easier it is to:

• Protect your identity: Your personal information, such as your name, address and financial details, can be used by malicious actors to steal your identity, commit fraud or engage in other criminal activities.
• Preserve your reputation: Data breaches can expose sensitive information, leading to embarrassment, damage to your reputation or even legal consequences.
• Maintain control: By understanding and asserting your data privacy rights, you can maintain control over how your information is collected, shared and used by companies and organizations.
• Ensure trust: Whether you’re a consumer, employee or business owner, prioritizing data privacy fosters trust in your relationships with others, whether they be customers, partners or employees.

Download Our Free eBook

Ready to take control of your digital footprint? Our comprehensive ebook, “Data Privacy: A Guide for Individuals & Families” unpacks everything you need to know to safeguard your personal information online, from understanding privacy policies to defending your devices against hackers.

Our data privacy eBook covers:

• Data Privacy Basics
• Understanding Data Breaches
• Protecting Yourself and Your Information
• Data Privacy FAQ

Don’t let your valuable data fall into the wrong hands. Take the first step toward protecting your privacy today by downloading our eBook.

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