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If SONY got hacked how can I know my MBP is safe?

zipur

zipur

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Mar 3, 2011
588
84
The great state of Texas
I'm using Bitdefender but I'm worried that I'm still may be at risk. I bounce all over the net mostly for news, shopping, youtube and some movies on DirectTV. That is where my concern is since I am clicking all kinds of links. And of course once you go to a news site there are other links with interesting stories. I use Chome mostly since from time to time my Safari locks up until a reboot. I use a rMBP 2012 on Yosemite.

I know that historically IOS was safe compared to Windows. But this is 2014 so things have changed and updated. Can one of you super savvy IOS users advise me how I can check my PC.

Thanks in advance and please no flaming this should be a concern of everyone in the shadow of the Sony's Hack.

Thanks in Advance.
 
zipur said:
I am using Bitdefender but I am worried that I still may be at risk.
Click to expand...
True everyone is at risk technically, but what do you have to offer? I mean if a hacker wants something they'll be going after deeper pockets.

Its a risk vs. reward thing, for the most part as long as you sit behind a router you'll be ok. Could a hacker get through, yes, but will it be worth the effort? Probably not. That's my take on it.
 
zipur said:
I'm using Bitdefender but I'm worried that I'm still may be at risk. I bounce all over the net mostly for news, shopping, youtube and some movies on DirectTV. That is where my concern is since I am clicking all kinds of links. And of course once you go to a news site there are other links with interesting stories. I use Chome mostly since from time to time my Safari locks up until a reboot. I use a rMBP 2012 on Yosemite.

I know that historically IOS was safe compared to Windows. But this is 2014 so things have changed and updated. Can one of you super savvy IOS users advise me how I can check my PC.

Thanks in advance and please no flaming this should be a concern of everyone in the shadow of the Sony's Hack.

Thanks in Advance.
Click to expand...
How many employees do you have, who can be social engineered out of their credentials?
How many open ports do you have, offering web services to customers?
 
maflynn said:
True everyone is at risk technically, but what do you have to offer? I mean if a hacker wants something they'll be going after deeper pockets.

Its a risk vs. reward thing, for the most part as long as you sit behind a router you'll be ok. Could a hacker get through, yes, but will it be worth the effort? Probably not. That's my take on it.
Click to expand...

This is how I feel. I'm assuming people could get their hands on my data if they really wanted to, but what on earth are they going to do with it? My computer is filled with rubbish that I'm sure doesn't interest anyone else.

My money is another thing, but that's why it's in a bank. So long as a take reasonable steps and don't actively pass on my login details, any losses are covered by my bank.
 
What interest might a hacker group have in you? Next to none. :)

Be careful were you enter your credit card information... Other than that, just enjoy the web and don't be paranoid... No one cares about the random guy. :)
 
SONY are notorious for lax security! They wee hacked just a couple of years ago - Twice, and lost millions of Playstation owners' details, so by all accounts you shouldn't take SONY as an example of good basic internet security.
 
zipur said:
I'm using Bitdefender but I'm worried that I'm still may be at risk. I bounce all over the net mostly for news, shopping, youtube and some movies on DirectTV. That is where my concern is since I am clicking all kinds of links. And of course once you go to a news site there are other links with interesting stories. I use Chome mostly since from time to time my Safari locks up until a reboot. I use a rMBP 2012 on Yosemite.

I know that historically IOS was safe compared to Windows. But this is 2014 so things have changed and updated. Can one of you super savvy IOS users advise me how I can check my PC.

Thanks in advance and please no flaming this should be a concern of everyone in the shadow of the Sony's Hack.

Thanks in Advance.
Click to expand...

People using Macs and other Apple devices in Sony were unaffected.

Source: http://9to5mac.com/2014/12/18/sony-hack/ and http://techcrunch.com/2014/12/17/so...-now-working-in-an-office-from-ten-years-ago/
 
Sony keeps passwords in folders called "Passwords". I think its safe to say by default Sony never had security to begin with. Look at how many times Sony's PS network has been hacked. It's a yearly thing for Sony, getting hacked.
 
Chances are, you aren't important enough for anyone to care about... This isn't an insult, most of us, myself included fall into this category.
 
Last edited:
zipur said:
I'm using Bitdefender but I'm worried that I'm still may be at risk. I bounce all over the net mostly for news, shopping, youtube and some movies on DirectTV. That is where my concern is since I am clicking all kinds of links. And of course once you go to a news site there are other links with interesting stories. I use Chome mostly since from time to time my Safari locks up until a reboot. I use a rMBP 2012 on Yosemite.

I know that historically IOS was safe compared to Windows. But this is 2014 so things have changed and updated. Can one of you super savvy IOS users advise me how I can check my PC.

Thanks in advance and please no flaming this should be a concern of everyone in the shadow of the Sony's Hack.

Thanks in Advance.
Click to expand...

Almost all attack attempts on your computer will be attempts to fool you as a user, not attacks on your operating system.

To avoid getting fooled:
- Learn to recognize obvious click-bait. Learn what a Trojan horse is.

- Learn when your system requires your password for elevated access. Learn not to type it in unless you believe you have an idea about what the program you just clicked will try to do.


To keep your system safe:
- Password protect your account. (This should be the first thing anyone does anyway).

- Make sure your operating system's firewall is active.
There are more advanced dedicated firewall programs out there, but you're unlikely to need them on your day-to-day computer.

- Don't use the same passwords on different sites. This'll become very hard in a while unless you use a password manager. The one built into OS X is probably good enough, but if you're really paranoid, get something that isn't intertwined with the OS, like KeyPassX.

- Don't run unnecessary server services on computers that are meant for normal user interaction. If you really need a server, get a server, and secure it. There's an abundance of info on how to do this.
Key point: You should only open up your system for the services you actually use. If you never access your computer remotely, then for the love of Glod, don't activate remote access features on it.
 
Go over to this thread and you will find a fairly balanced discussion for and against AntiVirus & Malware detection applications on OS X. In all likelihood your system is safe equally it`s prudent to be smart about computer security, as people do suffer identity theft and it does happen.

Personally I run security applications, mainly as I work in a mixed environment and do not want to propagate Windows orientated malware. There is also a lot go guidance for "safe computing" equally some do need the extra layer of security some applications bring.

Q-6
 
My biggest concern is something being installed in china at foxconn factory. I'm really surprised this has not happened.
 
Artimus12 said:
SONY are notorious for lax security! They wee hacked just a couple of years ago - Twice, and lost millions of Playstation owners' details, so by all accounts you shouldn't take SONY as an example of good basic internet security.
Click to expand...

You would think after their PS network got hacked a few years ago, they'd learn their lesson but evidently not. Even so, there seemed to be some inside help regarding this hacking - at least that's what some of the news reports I've read postulated.
 
Michaelgtrusa said:
My biggest concern is something being installed in china at foxconn factory. I'm really surprised this has not happened.
Click to expand...

I live in China, and that`s the least of my concerns, Foxconn manufacture for Apple as they do for many. They install the software image provided by the client, if there are any "backdoors" etc. only Apple knows and unless your building WMD`s in your basement I seriously doubt you have any concerns :)

Q-6
 
Queen6 said:
I live in China, and that`s the least of my concerns, Foxconn manufacture for Apple as they do for many. They install the software image provided by the client, if there are any "backdoors" etc. only Apple knows and unless your building WMD`s in your basement I seriously doubt you have any concerns :)

Q-6
Click to expand...

If I were not concerned I never would have stated it. Your living in china makes no difference when they hack your phone as soon as you enter their country we built for them.
 
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