Last week it was revealed that certain Intel processors contain a new set of hardware vulnerabilities that enables “speculative execution attacks”. In these attacks, a malicious app or guest virtual machine gains access to the data stored inside CPU buffers – allowing hackers to bypass the security restrictions on the system. The bad news: The researchers who found the MDS bug say it likely affects all Intel CPUs released since 2011 – and as a result, Acronis Software-Defined Infrastructure could be exposed to an attack. The good news: As soon as the problem was identified, Acronis immediately developed a fix so your data won’t be at risk once you’ve installed the update.

A new round of backup file exclusions and backup deletions leaves CrashPlan’s SMB customers unable to protect their business-critical data – and looking for a new backup and recovery service.

Ransomware continues its reign as one of the most pervasive malware threats to assail businesses, government institutions and consumers in 2019, with new variants appearing almost daily. One particularly nasty new strain of ransomware, dubbed RobbinHood, recently locked up critical IT systems and brought down corresponding public services in two North American cities: Greenville, NC and Baltimore, MD.

Time to update. WhatsApp, one of the world’s most popular messaging apps, is racing to close a security flaw that could give hackers access to sensitive personal data and real-time communications. This particular type of attack is dangerous because the spyware is activated regardless of whether or not WhatsApp users answer the call. Once infected, attackers can access, modify, and sell all the personal data stored on your phone or take over control of the microphone and camera.  Here's the latest and a few tips that will help minimize the threat in the future.