Browser extensions are a handy way to add more functionality to your favorite browser. And while there are a ton of them available, it's wise to exercise restraint in what you install.

Let's take a look at why you should be careful with browser extensions, and the potential risks they pose.

On Friday, July 2nd around 2PM, the hacker group REvil successfully compromised the popular Managed Service Provider (MSP) tool Kaseya. Kaseya provides Remote Monitoring & Management (RMM) functionality, including the execution of commands on client computers.

In April 2021, leaked information from some 533 million Facebook accounts become available online to anyone for free, or at least willing to pay a few dollars. The affected data isn't from a new breach, but poses privacy and security risks all the same.

In early May 2021, Colonial Pipeline, which is one of the largest pipeline operators in the US, was hit with a ransomware attack. This resulted in fuel shortages and was yet another example of a large-scale malware attack in 2021.

Let's look at what happened in this attack, what the consequences were, and what we can learn from it.

Passwordstate, a password manager offered by Australian company Click Studios, recently made headlines for suffering a major security breach. While high-profile attacks on software have been unfortunately common in recent months, this instance is especially dangerous since it resulted in compromised credentials for many thousands of users.

On May 4, 2021, security firm SentinelLabs released details about a security flaw in Dell machines that allows anyone with physical access to the computer to gain elevated privileges. This vulnerability has been around for over a decade, making hundreds of millions of computers vulnerable.

On April 13, 2021 (Microsoft's Patch Tuesday for the month), Microsoft rolled out patches to fix a number of critical vulnerabilities in on-premise Exchange Server installations.

While the company says that these holes haven't been knowingly exploited, it's still important to get these updates applied in your environment soon.

In early March 2021, Microsoft issued an urgent alert about zero-day security vulnerabilities in several versions of Exchange Server. These platforms have been subject to a targeted attack, making it crucial that affected systems receive updates as soon as possible.

We've discussed the importance of using a password manager before. Generating strong passwords and keeping them all in one locked vault allows you to greatly increase the security of your accounts.

However, with a few guidelines, your password manager can provide even more online security for you.

We've talked before about encryption, which is an essential part of modern digital life to keep your data secured. But there's another type of communication encryption you've probably heard about too: end-to-end encryption.

Let's find out how end-to-end encryption differs from other forms of encrypted conversations, and what it means for you when you use apps like Signal.