Microsoft has made changes in Windows 10 version 1903 that allows users an option to run an offline scan of their system using Windows Defender.  Periodically running this scan is a good security precaution to check for the presence of any rootkits that may be on your system, as a normal scan would be unable to detect the presence of a rootkit. 

If you are still using Windows 7 Operating System on any of your computers, you should seriously consider upgrading, as Windows will no longer be providing any support or updates.  Below is a link to Microsoft where you can find out more information.

support.microsoft.com/en-ca/help/4057281/windows-7-support-will-end-on-january-14-2020

Ransomware is becoming the number one threat in Cybersecurity.  It can be very profitable for criminal organizations or individuals to carry out ransomware attacks.  A large number of municipal government organizations have been targeted with ransomware attacks in 2019. Universities, public schools and Hospitals have also been targeted.  Below is a link to a very good explanation of ransomware by the University of California - Berkeley. 

security.berkeley.edu/faq/ransomware

The German Federal Office for Information Security (Bundesamt Fur Sicherheit in Der Informationschnik) tested four of the major web browsing applications to determine which one they considered the most secure.  The tests were conducted in September 2019 and the following browsers were tested:
Chrome vs 76, Microsoft Internet Explorer vs  11, Microsoft Edge vs 44, and Firefox vs 68.
Their test had a 21 point list of various security requirements and options.  Of the four browsers, Firefox received top marks and was the only one that passed all 21 points in their criteria. 

Hardly a day goes by without another news story being released on yet another “security breach” occurring, or a “new scam” being discovered, or a number of people finding their “bank accounts being drained” by sophisticated schemes of criminal individuals and organizations.  Below are three recent stories from the CBC website on some of the ugly things that are happening out in Cyber land.  The first story shows how your life can be turned around by being subjected to identity theft.   The second and third story relates to off shore organized crime organizations targeting Canadians in an attempt to defraud them of their money.  Most people will recognize a con job in the making, when they receive a phone call from someone claiming to be from the Canada Revenue Agency, or some other government department. Unfortunately, these organizations are very sophisticated and convincing, and there are always a number of people that fall victim to their schemes.   


cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/meet-deborah-oguntoyinbo-accused-of-being-a-professional-and-prolific-identity-thief-1.5348438

cbc.ca/news/politics/fraud-spoofing-canada-government-1.5348659

cbc.ca/news/world/national-cra-india-rcmp-scam-1.4883796