TECH

Kaspersky faces new threats online through a new cloud service

Kaspersky has held its annual meeting in Madrid to discuss the latest trends in cybersecurity, and the major threats affecting users and businesses. The theme of the conference was the protection of the family and the main measures that the users must take for a safe use of the devices and navigation.The company is preparing to launch a range of security products for "anyone who is not worried about staying safe," said Vicente Diaz of Kaspersky's research and analysis team. The goal is to keep the family safe, be it parents, teachers and students, with a book on cyber-risk awareness and a play that will cover several points in Spain.The company's security specialist refers to so-called advanced threats, increasingly sophisticated methods of breaking down protection barriers. Many hackers use brands or companies known to mask their illicit activities. A given example of hacker Park Jin Hyok, who hacked into computers and faked Twitter messages on behalf of, for example, US President Donald Trump. A group of hackers was also detected that surpassed the safety of the anti-doping measures of the Russian athletes.It was also mentioned a method of hacking to a smartphone, introduced in the own hardware "somewhere in an assembly line in China", says the expert, able to invade servers of companies like Apple, for example. Many companies are not expecting such intrusions, which open doors to attacks on their customers. These attacks, called APT, are growing, targeting, and using generic tools. This is due to the great disparity of technological capabilities for attacks against the network infrastructure, since all the security data passes through this one.

The dangers in Portugal and Spain
The highlight is the attacks on crypto-coins, brute-force attacks and various CVE-2017 exploits. The servers used to generate virtual currency are increasingly targeting hackers. In relation to brute force are linked to the theft of the password, ramsonware situations, where they are asked high values ​​to be released the credentials of the companies.Hackers take institutions like hospitals, often taking advantage of their lack of security. Being many of the exploits introduced in 2017, many agents are not yet qualified to resolve and defend the structures. By 2017, the most significant attacks came from China, Russia and Southwest Asia.Regarding privacy, Kaspersky states that "if you do not pay for something, you are the product". The example of the Cambridge Analytica scandal and the 2016 elections on how valuable social networking information was given. This is where the privacy solutions that you need to protect come in. The company explains that precautions need to be taken for people to defend themselves and make the spread of attacks more difficult.In this sense, Kaspersky introduces the Security Cloud, a new system to protect the most precious assets of its customers: privacy, money, memories and others. In addition to the existing Kaspersky Free and Anti-Virus, features and improved performance, configuration mode and detection efficiency have been added, according to the company, for its premium product range: Internet Security and Total Security.

Online protection through cloud
The Security Cloud system is adaptive to each user, through their online behavior, originating a personalized and individual digital world. The system makes the common user "a security expert", says the company, thanks to a format of intelligent alerts, which suggests the necessary changes to the different scenarios of danger. The system keeps a constant watch on the hard disk of the PC. In addition, the solution helps prevent malware attacks, indicating whether credentials are weak or duplicate, generating other alternative answers.The solution can also be accessed through a mobile application, sorting the applications by use and when to charge the smartphone battery. It also guarantees a secure connection through VPN, besides allowing to hide the online activities of the users. The application runs a diagnosis, maintaining a vigilance to the accounts, informing if they are compromised, besides suggesting actions and measures to take if it is in danger. The application also allows greater control of the camera, in addition to greater security at home, sharing with the settings with the rest of the family, remotely. In addition, it is possible to assign each member a certain level of access.There is still parental control in this solution so as to keep a watch on children through GPS. The system controls the activities of minors, to navigate safely, online time definition, call and message control and their location on the map. Whenever an application is installed on your system, parents receive notifications to authorize their use or not.
According to Pedro Garcia, Kaspersky sales manager revealed to SAPO, there is an increasing increase in extortion of minors, not only because of the greater use of mobile devices, but also as a growing presence in social networks. "Children are often encouraged to send a photo. And from there they are threatened with disclosure if they do not send more, "he says. The company suggests that parents keep an open discussion with their children about such hazards online, and the measures they are developing to keep them safe in this case through parental control applications.The system also detects intruders on the Wi-Fi network, ensuring it is private. Users are warned through messages when there are other users not authorized to use the network. All these actions and functionalities are aided by a customized security assistant, using a system of alerts and action councils to take.The Security Cloud product is available in two formats: personal and family based on the number of users using the system. Conceived as a service, the application is not associated with the device, but with the user through a profile registered in the portal My Karspersky. The service can be accessed through a monthly or annual paid subscription. The premium annual version for a user in five devices is 69 euros, while the familiar version for 20 accounts in 20 devices is 139 euros per year. Safe Kids (parental control) is only available in the family package. There is also a free version, limited to one account on three devices, and includes only a small part of the service offerings.



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