It turns out that hacking the military is easy when a captain doesn’t update his router password.

Plus, an inventor says his smart security bra will save lives.

These stories and more in this week’s scam alert.

Watch here:

Hacking the Military 

You don’t want the bad guys to get their hands on a manual for this U.S. weapon — the lethal MQ-9 Reaper drone.

But researchers say they found a crook peddling the manual and other “highly sensitive” documents on the dark web in June.

Security company Recorded Future says the thief hacked into the computer of a military captain at Creech Air Force Base near Las Vegas because the captain did not update his Netgear router password.

Above: MQ-9 Reaper. Image credit: USAF

Below: MQ-9 Reaper manual for sale on dark web, according to Recorded Future. Image credit: Recorded Future

Researchers say the hacker told them he also entertains himself by accessing and watching “sensitive” live video from border surveillance cameras and airplanes. 

If you have not done so, you will want to update your Netgear router password.

You may not have info as sensitive as a killer drone training manual, but you’ll still want to protect yourself.

Recorded Future says these steps from Netgear will help protect your device from attacks:

1. Launch an internet browser from a computer or wireless device that is connected to the network.
2. Type in http://www.routerlogin.net or http://www.routerlogin.com. A login screen will display.
3. The user name is admin. The default password is password. However, to prevent unauthorized access, make sure to update the password by using a random combination of letters, numbers, and symbols. The user name and password are case sensitive.
4. Select ADVANCED > USB Functions > ReadySHARE Storage.
5. Select FTP.
6. Click Apply.

Ransomware Surge

A medical center in Missouri is under attack. Ransomware took over hospital computers this week.

The Cass Regional Medical Center near Kansas City says in a Facebook post that they’re sending trauma patients to other hospitals while they try to stop the cyber infection.

Cass Regional Medical Center in Missouri reported a ransomware attack. Image credit: Cass Regional Medical Center/Facebook

A new report says ransomware attacks are surging this year.

Security company SonicWall says crooks have launched more than 180 million attacks so far in 2018, reported Help Net Security.

That’s a more than 200 percent increase over the same time last year.

Macy’s Attack

If you tried to sign on to your Macy’s account online and could not get in, you could be part of a cyber attack.

Macy’s locked down some accounts after the breach, which it says happened between April 26 and June 12, according to this customer letter obtained by the site Bleeping Computer.

Macy’s says someone got into accounts and stole names, dates of birth, credit card numbers and more.

The company indicates the attackers may have gotten in with passwords from other breaches, looking for easy targets — people who use the same password on multiple accounts.

Letter from Macy’s to customer affected by a breach between April and June. Image credit: Bleeping Computer

If your Macy’s or Bloomingdale’s account is blocked, try changing the password to see if you can get in.

Macy’s is also offering a year of free identity protection services to people hit by the breach.

Fighting Fake News

You’ll see something new on YouTube to fight fake news.

If you search for videos about things like the moon landing, where conspiracy theories abound, you’ll also get info from sites like Wikipedia and Encyclopedia Britannica.

YouTube will display info from other sources when you search for videos on controversial topics. Image credit: YouTube

YouTube says it wants to give you more context from more sources when you look at conspiracy-style videos.

And if you’re searching up breaking news, you’ll get blurbs and links for print stories, as well, not just videos —  with the reminder that the developing info can change as the event unfolds.

Security Bra

And finally, for the security conscious, a smart bra that calls police when someone’s attacking.

The South China Morning Post says a Singapore scientist has created high-tech underwear that senses when your heart rate goes up suddenly and when someone grabs or pushes you.

The undergarment then reportedly calls police and other people you’ve selected ahead of time.

Smart security bra can call police, according to SCMP’s report. Image credit: Scott Fan/SCMP

The scientist’s company, Smart IoT, says it’s created a smart helmet as well that detects problems at work.

Soon, you might have an entire smart outfit to keep you safe from top to bottom, should you venture outside your smart home.

See other scam alerts:

Scam Alert #22 — Travel bots & ship hacking

Scam Alert #21 — Lockdown app & Bitcoin Baron

Scam Alert #20 — New baby cam warning & toy dangers

See more Scam Alerts here at Archer News.

Main image: MQ-9 Reaper. Image credit: USAF