📝 Show notes
CyberAware Daily — 2026-09-07
- Learn how to check if your router's remote management is disabled: visit your router admin panel and look for 'Remote Access' or 'Remote Management' settings.
- To ensure automatic updates on Windows 10/11, go to Settings > Windows Update and click 'Check for updates'. On a Mac, go to System Settings > General > Software Update.
- If you suspect your computer is mining crypto without your knowledge, run a full antivirus scan and consider resetting your browser settings.
- Patch Tuesday is this Tuesday 8th September; plan to restart your devices after updates are installed.
- For more guidance on securing your home network, visit the UK National Cyber Security Centre's Small Business Guide at ncsc.gov.uk.
More at https://cyberawareuk.co.uk
📄 Full transcript
Monday morning, and it's a big week for staying sharp online.
I am Bully, and with Alex here, we're looking at what's coming your way over the next seven days.
Good morning, Bully. I've seen the headlines about Reuters being hijacked,
and I've got to admit, it sounds scary. What's really going on?
So, there's a nasty attack going around where crooks are taking over microtick Reuters just
by finding ones with the remote management left exposed on the internet. No password needed,
believe it or not. No password? That seems like a schoolboy error.
Should I be checking my own router right now? Most home users in the UK won't have a microtick,
but the lesson applies to everyone. If you've got remote management turned on for any device,
turn it off unless you absolutely need it. Got it. And there's also something about Windows
update and Defender being switched off by bad software, right? Yes, it's a sneaky one.
There's a family of programs linked to something called RevSteeler that can shut down your Windows
security updates and antivirus, then quietly mine cryptocurrency on your machine.
Mining crypto on my computer. That would slow everything down and hike up my electricity
bill. How would I even know it's happening? Well, the clue might be a fan that's always
whirring or a machine that's suddenly sluggish. But the real fix is to keep your security software
up to date and be very careful about what you download or click.
And this week, we've got Patch Tuesday coming up, right? That's when Microsoft and others push out
their monthly fixes. Exactly. This Tuesday, expect a fresh batch of patches. Our advice is simple,
let your devices update as soon as they're offered and restart your phone and laptop to make sure the
updates actually take hold. But there's also the bigger picture. You mentioned some stats earlier,
does that tell us what to look out for? Our friends at Darkwatch tell us there's been a lot
of activity on the dark web, with around 450,000 captures and over 1,400 alerts this week.
That means the bad guys are busy, but we can stay ahead by staying calm and informed.
So what's the one thing you want our listeners to do today, Monday, to set themselves up for a safe
week? Right now, go to your phone, open your settings, and check that automatic updates are
turned on for your operating system and your apps. It takes less than two minutes, and it's the single
best defense against most of the threats we'll talk about this week. That sounds doable. And if
anyone wants to know more, there's show notes in the episode description with links to check your router
settings and turn on automatic updates. Correct. We'll be back tomorrow with more, but for now,
keep your devices patched, your Reuters locked down, and your wits about you. Stay safe out there.