With most holed at home, surfing and skimming through sites via their MacBook or iPhones is something to be expected. However, with the surge in online users, expect hackers or intruders to try and make some mischief through misleading sites and sneaky links. Safari users who have not yet applied the latest security patch to their devices are advised to do so at the earliest possible time.
Security researcher Ryan Pickren revealed an interesting point when he pointed out some Safari vulnerabilities wherein intruders could hijack a user's microphone and/or cameras. The bug affects macOS and iOS devices. The flaw happens when Safari is used to visit some sites which make the browser think that it has the same permissions to a device's microphone or camera. One miscalculated click is all that a hacker would need to take over or eavesdrop on a user.
The issue may not affect anyone. The problem was patched in the past months but prior updates. Hence, folks who are now spending more time browsing via Safari may want to make sure that they have already applied the necessary updates. Failure to do so could place them in a compromising position. Several apps have been hit for lack of security protocols but are already being addressed as of this writing.
As mentioned in a prior post, Zoom has become one of the popular apps these days to keep folks occupied. The problem is that the lack of security encryption makes it quite risky to use. Such could allow hackers to hijack screens and spread pornographic material. But the more alarming thing here could be the access that some could get on a machine if they are not careful.
It may be a minor issue, but it would be best to make sure that a device's operating system is well-patched to avoid untoward intrusions. Most are left to sit in homes, spending their time monitoring the latest COVID-19 updates, participating in games, and sharing photos or videos of themselves at present or in the past. With most already worried about when the coronavirus will end, adding more trouble from hackers who are expected to take advantage of the current situation is something that can be avoided.
The glitch is an old and overlooked problem but could garner attention with internet use growing rampant. Like deceptive sites, it only takes one tap or clicks to allow these no-gooders from carrying out their mischief during this time of crisis.
