Malwarebytes Privacy World

In part one of this series, we had a look at a few reasons why you should be blocking online advertisements on your network and devices. From malvertising attacks and privacy-invading tracking systems to just being an outright annoyance, online ads and trackers are a nuisance that provides an attack vector for malware authors, compromise user security, and plainly, diminish the browsing experience. In the second part of this series, we’ll cover a few of the common ad blocking utilities and how to best configure those tools for maximum effectiveness. We’ll take a look at tools that are easy enough to set up and run on mom’s computer, as well as a few tools that may require a bit more expertise. And later on, we’ll discuss a few tools that do a great job of blocking ads and protecting your privacy, but may require a shift in mindset before realizing the benefit. So, go grab your cup of Joe, sit back, and dive into the conclusion of “Everybody and their mother is blocking ads, so why a..

This post may ruffle a few feathers. But we’re not here to offer advice to publishers on how to best generate revenue for their brand. Rather, we’re here to offer the best advice on how to maintain a safe and secure environment. If you’re not blocking advertisements on your PC and mobile device, you should be! And if you know someone who isn’t blocking ads, then forward this post to them. Because in this two-part series, we’re going to dispel some of the myths surrounding ad blocking, and we’ll cover the reasons you should be blocking ads on your network and devices. Part 2 of this series concludes by discussing common tools and configurations to show you How to block ads like a pro. You’ve heard the talk and seen the messages in online banners. You’re aware of the disputes and the provocation from publishers and advertisers that ad blocking is a morally unconscionable act whose users deserve outright banishment from the web. Maybe you’ve been swayed by the pleas from website owners..

Thanks to Jerome Boursier for contributions. Post GDPR, many social media platforms will ask end users to consent to some form of tracking as a condition of using the service. It’s easy to make assumptions as to what that means, especially when the actual terms of service or data policy for the service in question is tough to find, full of legal jargon, or just long and boring. Part of the shock of recent Facebook stories was in discovering just how expansive their consent to tracking really was. Let’s take a look at what can happen after you hit OK on a new site’s Terms of Service. What we think they’re doing Most commonly, users think that social media sites limit their tracking to actual interactions with the site while logged in. This includes likes, follows, favorites, and general use of the site as intended. Those interactions are then analyzed to determine a user’s rough interests, and serve them corresponding ads. We asked some non-technical Malwarebytes staffers what they t..

Summer is just around the corner in the Northern Hemisphere, and with it comes vacation plans for many. Those looking to take some time away from work and home are likely making plans to secure their home, have their pets taken care of, and tie up loose ends at work. But how about securing your devices and your data while you’re away? Here are some things to take into consideration if you want to have a trip free of cyber worries. Before you leave Some of the things on your cybersecurity checklist can be taken care of before you leave. They include the following: Make sure the operating systems and software on all the devices you are going to take along with you are up to date. Having to install updates while you are on the road can be a pain due to slow and unstable connections. Use your at-home Wi-Fi, which you know is secured with a password. (Right? If not—do that right away.) You may want to take precautions to secure devices that you’ll be leaving behind in your workplace and h..

The European Union claims that the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which comes to term on May 25, is the most important change in data privacy regulation in 20 years. Many companies have spent months preparing for the changes, working on policy and compliance, and introducing changes to their products in order to meet new standards. We have received quite a few alerts and emails about those policy changes from a wide variety of companies. Combing through the alerts allowed us to see some interesting methods to solve—or evade—the problems that come with making businesses compliant. Let’s take a look at how different companies are coping with GDPR changes, and what you’ll need to pay attention to in those emails. Total evasion For some companies whose business interests are too slim in Europe, giving up seemed like the best option. File this alert from Unroll.Me, an app to unsubscribe from unwanted mailing lists, under “why bother.” because our service was not designed to c..