Hi everyone,
My fiancé and I have been working from home due to bad weather recently. Yesterday, she got a strange email from an organization, which turned out to be from a real email address. It seems their email might have been compromised because several others received it as well. She opened the email on her phone using Outlook and viewed an attachment in Excel that had a big button saying 'click here'. Thankfully, she didn't click it. I suggested she forward it to their IT department, and they confirmed the breach. Now, they've instructed everyone to turn off their computers until they sort things out.
I'm wondering: should I be worried about the security of our home network and computers? If so, what steps can we take to strengthen our defenses and ensure we're not at risk?
Thanks for your help!
2 Answers
Since the exploit was opened on a phone and not a PC, you might be in the clear. Mobile devices have different security measures, and they’re generally more resistant to malware from Excel documents. So I wouldn't stress too much about your home network being compromised.
First things first, make sure your router's firmware is up to date. Look into any known vulnerabilities for your router model. If they exist and the manufacturer isn't planning to patch them, it’s probably time to invest in a new router. Sometimes they even offer discounts for replacements.
True, but keep in mind that macros can be set to run automatically when opening an Excel file. Just be cautious and keep an eye on your home devices. Better safe than sorry!