Hacker Alert! Your VA benefits can be stolen by hackers!!

[broncovet]

Use extreme caution if you used any of these "ad blockers" which were supposed to be safe as they were in google play store. They are not!!!

https://thehackernews.com/2018/04/adblocker-chrome-extention.html

One Veteran (apparently) has already had his benefits stolen!!!!  They changed his password and routed the benefits to their account! (Apparently).  Be careful with so called "ad blockers".  Only install software from a known trusted source, and google has proven they cant be trusted.

[pwrslm]

Thx Broncovet...mine was not on the list but not taking chances...

[Buck52]

Do you mean on our own computer? or at the Bank?

are you meaning e benefits account?

I always make sure I 'm log out of e benefits and open up another site then get out of it .   it says to do that on e benefits after you log out.

I use google chrome  but it don't have any of these add blockers.

Edited April 20, 2018 by Buck52

[broncovet]

On hadit, a Veteran has alleged that a hacker changed his ebenefits password, then changed his account number on his direct deposit, and has stolen (at least one month) of benefits.  

I "speculate" that a hacker has downloaded a "trojan horse" on his machine, "perhaps" the hacker gained access through a "free" software program, such as free games, or free ad blocker.  Once the trojan horse is installed, the hacker can then have "remote control" of the infected computer, and he can do anything he wants.  One piece of hacker software is called a "key logger", where the hacker knows every key you key in, including passwords.  

(I studied information security in college, tho it was years ago).  

My suggestion:  Dont download ANY software where you see an ad that says its free.  Instead, if you want/need software, go to a site like "majorgeeks.com" or one that YOU trust, and get your software there, ONLY after you see the honest reviews.  

Since Microsoft products are the most hacked software on the planet, I use exactly "0" pieces of microsoft software.  Instead, I use Linux Mint, which is a free operating system which is more secure than windows, and does not get infected with Microsoft Viruses.  There is no such thing as "anti virus software" for Linux, because Linux is already much more secure than the very best anti virus software.  

There are at least 2 types of accounts on a computer, and they are based on permissions.  An "administrative" account has full access and full control.  This is normally used for the administrator of a company who assigns limited access to those employees, as he sees fit.  Then, there is a guest type account, that does not have most/many of those priveleges and this guest can not make changes, to  say, the amount of pay he gets.  Only the bosses can do that.  

In my computer, I always (automatically) log in as a "guest account".  Even I have limited control ON purpose.  EVEN If I want to do things like download stuff, I have to enter the administrative password.  This ways, my kids/grandkids can get on the computer, but they can not download anything, UNLESS I give them the password which I do not.  Each time I download stuff, I must enter the admin password.  This is one of micorosofts vulnerabilities.  IT pros have told microsoft not to make the admin account "default", because that gives full power to a computer user who has no idea what he is doing.  So, Microsoft has millions of users who have no idea what they are doing.  My 4 year old grandkids can use a mouse and play games, but they can only play the games if I approve them AT MY HOUSE.  I like that.  My computer never gets infected.  The stakes are too high.  

[vetquest]

Thanks Sir.

[Holllie Greene]

Yes, thank you for the information.

[Buck52]

broncovet, my son is a highly trained in IT and has been a system analyst for years , I mention this to him & if he thinks MY LAP-TOP WOULD BE INFECTED and here is what he said about this.

 just so you know broncovet I've never accepted any apps on my lap-top especially if there free  like the add blockers ect,,ect,, but I would never know? if I was infected

here is what my son mention  and he's pretty good at what he does  he goes all over the country for classes and certifications of the NEW IT stuff. he has a Homeland Security Clearance,&other credentials to many to list.

''every operating system has faults and vulnerabilities. 

They actually started with Linux / Unix systems  - and I have seen it.  It's called a "Root kit" that gets put into Linux systems and when that happens - you're done for good. lol

I can check it if you want. Bring it by this weekend or something and I'll go through everything that is on it and make sure you have protection against possible trojans and key loggers.''