Microsoft left admin-to-kernel exploit in Windows untouched for half a year
Microsoft recently fixed an admin-to-kernel vulnerability in Windows, six months after security experts from Avast brought the problem to the attention of the company.
Hackers from the Lazarus Group, affiliated with the North Korean government, actively used the zero-day exploit. It involves the... Read more
Lazarus Group strikes at kernel level via Windows AppLocker driver
Lazarus Group hackers broke into systems via a zero-day vulnerability in the Windows AppLocker driver and gained access at the kernel level. An enhanced version of their rootkit allowed them to disable security tools on affected systems.
According to Avast research, a zero-day vulnerability in t... Read more
“Avast sold data of millions of its free antivirus users”
Security vendor Avast allegedly traded the data of millions of users globally with a number of free antivirus products. In the Netherlands, Privacy First and Stichting CUIC are taking Avast to court over the alleged privacy violations for over 5 million Dutch users.
Worldwide, 435 million users ... Read more
Avast launches ransomware shield for small businesses
Avast updated its Ransomware Protection functionality to give organizations an additional line of defense against ransomware threats.
According to Avast, the number of ransomware threats rose by 24 percent in 2022 compared to 2021. Hence, Avast revealed a new way to protect small businesses agai... Read more
SentinelOne unveils severe zero-day vulnerabilities in Avast and AVG
SentinelOne discovered two serious zero-day vulnerabilities in Avast and AVG. The threats went unnoticed for ten years.
The vulnerabilities allow attackers to bump privileges. From there, a system's security tools can be disabled. In December 2021, SentinelOne's researchers disclosed the vulnera... Read more
Avast launch new features to prevent online scams and phishing
Avast has released new features to protect users from online scams and security threats.
Avast today announced the addition of several new capabilities to its leading product, i.e., Avast One, which is meant to safeguard users from fraud, online scams, and other security threats. Email Guardian,... Read more
Avast acquires SecureKey Technologies
The move will bolster Avast's digital authentication and identity management portfolio.
Avast announced this week that they will acquire SecureKey Technologies, a global provider of digital identity and authentication solutions headquartered in Canada. SecureKey’s privacy-enhancing services ar... Read more
NortonLifeLock acquires Avast in $8 billion deal
After talks, NortonLifeLock and Avast have reached an advanced stage in a deal that could be worth $8 billion.
The deal has been dubbed a merger of sorts but will see NortonLifeLock acquire all of Avast's shares and list the combination of both companies on NASDAQ rather than Avast's current hom... Read more
NortonLifeLock wants to buy Avast
NortonLifeLock is in talks to acquire the security software maker Avast, in a deal that may value the latter at $8 billion. NortonLifeLock, which offers cybersecurity software and services, is in an advanced discussion with Avast, with The Wall Street Journal reporting that a deal could be reached ... Read more
Czech Republic investigates reselling of data by Avast
Avast has pulled the plug on the department responsible for reselling anonymized data to third parties and apologised: for the antivirus firm, these measures have come just too late in the Czech Republic, where an investigation has already been started into Avast's practices.
At the end of Janua... Read more