McAfee’s antivirus software suite is used by millions to keep them safe online. However, a new flaw in the code could allow hackers to get backdoor access to PCs on which it is installed and use them to conduct spam email campaigns. This is according to a statement issued by McAfee itself, which told CNET that it had been made aware of the issue in mid-January. It is important to arm yourself with the facts in any situation like this, so here is what is known about the security hole so far.
McAfee was apparently made aware of the hole in its SaaS Endpoint Protection software after customers got in contact. Apparently, many users found that their IP addresses had been put on a watch list as a result of being associated with spam emailing, which meant that they were being blocked from accessing some sites and services. Others found a similar issue with their email addresses, which were no longer being accepted by email providers, making it difficult for them to remain in contact with friends, family and colleagues.
McAfee’s software uses a special technology that allows users to update the software even if they do not have a direct connection to the web. However, this was discovered by hackers who realised that they could exploit it in order to make it look as if spam campaigns were being delivered from the IP addresses of McAfee users. While they were not stealing any private data from those affected, the actions of cybercriminals did have significant effects on the ability of users to take advantage of their broadband only deals from various internet service providers.
The problem was first publicised by the Kamaar blog at the beginning of January 2012 because the blog itself had found that its IP address had been harnessed by spammers. The blog also discovered that the spamming activity had pushed it close to its monthly data-allowance limit, causing their ISP to warn them about their activities. Of course, the fact that 10 months’ worth of traffic had been generated by spammers in a single 24-hour period was only obvious after carrying out checks. No broadband only deals will be able to give you that much leeway when it comes to data usage.
The good news is that McAfee has since released a patch which its customers can download in order to overcome the spam-hijacking issue. For those who have had their IPs blacklisted, though, it could already be too late as the damage has been done. The best thing to do is to get in touch with your ISP if you believe you have been affected and alert them to the situation.
This story highlights a particularly important piece of advice which all modern internet users should consider. This is the fact that you need to keep all of your software up to date as soon as the latest version is available. That includes everything from your operating system and security software to your web browser, because almost every program will require some form of internet connection in order to operate smoothly. If you delay updates, then you could be exposed to exploitation by hackers. Most programs let you automatically download updates in the background or provide alerts on a regular basis, so keeping on top of things should be simple.
Author Bio:- Roxanne Peterson is a Freelance and Staff writer who writes informative & creative articles on Television and Technology. Her expertises are in writing articles related to comcast internet plans, Satellite TV deals, Satellite Connections, etc.
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