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!!! New Wi-Fi Vulnerability Risk Found !!!

10/17/2017

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Several security flaws in the Wi-Fi Protected Access 2 (WPA2) protocol were recently disclosed, which can reportedly expose any wireless device.   An attacker within range of a victim can exploit these weaknesses using Key Reinstallation Attacks (KRACKs).  Attackers can use this attack technique to read information that was previously assumed to be safely encrypted by easily getting your Wi-Fi password.  This can be abused to steal sensitive information such as credit card numbers, passwords, chat messages, emails, photos, and so on. The attack works against all modern protected Wi-Fi networks.  Depending on the network configuration, it is also possible to inject and manipulate data.  For example, an attacker might be able to inject ransomware or other malware into websites or seemingly legitimate files you may download.

The weaknesses are in the Wi-Fi standard itself, and not in individual products or implementations.  Therefore, any correct implementation of WPA2 is likely affected.  To prevent the attack, users must update affected products as soon as security updates become available.   Note that if your device supports Wi-Fi, it is most likely affected. 

Microsoft has already released a patch for Windows, so be sure to update your computer!  Versions include: Windows 7, Windows 8.1, Windows 10, Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2012 and Windows Server 2016.   You can find every patch for KRACK here.

Use the following methods to protect yourself:
1.  Do NOT use Wi-Fi in public or other dense areas such as office / apartment / condo buildings.
2.  Use an Ethernet cable instead of Wi-Fi.
3.  Use a Virtual Private Network (VPN).
4.  Use your phone data instead of Wi-Fi.
5.  Use HTTPS instead of HTTP urls.  You can add a HTTPS Everywhere browser extension to Google Chrome, Firefox or Opera.  There’s no need to configure it, so anybody can do it.  In most cases, this extension will allow HTTP urls to use HTTPS instead.

Read here for the gory details.  As always, The GoTo Tech Guru is here to help protect you.  
#security #virus&malware #windows #wifi #news
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