Another “Uh oh” (Scary)
Well, I can’t say I didn’t see this coming, but… uh oh.
* U.S. government warns of hack threat to network gear
(Reuters) – “The Department of Homeland Security urged computer users on Tuesday to disable a common networking technology feature, after researchers warned that hackers could exploit flaws to gain access to tens of millions ¹ of vulnerable devices.
The U.S. government’s Computer Emergency Readiness Team, on its website, advised consumers and businesses to disable a feature known as Universal Plug and Play or UPnP, and some other related features that make devices from computers to printers accessible over the open Internet.” Read more..
It’s kind of what happens when you think about security after you design and build something.. Like we’ve done with this “tech”.
Rapid 7’s free “are you vulnerable?” scanner: ScanNow for Universal Plug and Play (UPnP)
¹ emphasis: mine
Unrelated reading reco: 100 Wars
Today’s quote: “Often people attempt to live their lives backwards; they try to have more things, or more money, in order to do more of what they want, so they will be happier. The way it actually works is the reverse. You must first be who you really are, then do what you need to do, in order to have what you want.” ~ Margaret Young
Copyright 2007-2013 © “Tech Paul” (Paul Eckstrom). All Rights Reserved.
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• About Tech Paul
I am a Retired computer & network technician. I used to think the machines were pretty cool. Now I don’t.
They’re anything but.
I regularly posted how-to’s and tricks & tips and general computing advice here starting in 2007. (Use the Search tool to find answers. But be aware, many are rather dated.) Sometimes I answered (your) specific questions in an article if I believed the answer was generally helpful to “everyone”. All the writing you see was my own, typos and all. There always is/was an implied “IMHO” in what you see here.
Note: You are responsible for using this blog and its content. I am in no way liable for any losses caused by user error, viruses and/or other malware, hardware or software failure, or any other conceivable reason.
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Tech - for Everyone 
Paul…Thanks for this update…a “necessary reminder” of the “risk factors” that are part of our Tech World.
I appreciate your effort to post this to your readers…hopefully other readers will see the posting and benefit from it as I have.
After reading this post… then scanning my net work set up…”sure enough my Router is ONE on the list at risk.”
While annoyed…thinking “here we go again”…I took the time to check it out and disabled the device.
Further along…
As you can see… I have been one of your loyal, appreciative readers.
The clear, precise information that you provide here, is a learning process as well as keeping me informed of the risks out there.
On an individual level…
How else would I get this info. since I do “not” go searching for security stuff?
In my opinion… much of the necessary info. is NOT wildly published anyway!
..Yah, I know…lots of info. is in Tech Mags. but that method is time consuming… (maybe I am lazy) :) when “here’s the info: already posted on Tech For Everyone” …the way to go…
…so there you are…thanks again Paul.
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Gaia,
I am always gratified when a reader takes the time to let me know that my efforts are appreciated. Thank you.
But, I am more satisfied when I learn that they’ve followed the tip/advice, and taken steps to make themselves better protected from the villainy inhabiting the Internet and reduced their chances of becoming a victim of (cyber)crime. And that’s true regardless of where they obtain the information.
… I am afraid, though, that even the most basic ‘practices’ of ‘safer surfing’ are still either unknown, or unheeded by the majority of “average computer users”, and I still routinely encounter folks using one, easily guessed password for everything, and haven’t made a backup… ever.
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Enjoy!
(Not in a very good mood. Got letter from my job..After 6 yrs..SEE YA! No notice..no nothing..for both of us……Bleh!)
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delenn13,
Thank you for alerting us to this ($150 value!) giveaway.
(And, I am sorry for your setback.)
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