Stay Cyber-Safe While You Shop by HIPAA Vault

Holiday deals aren’t the only thing popping up online—so are cyber scams.

As seasonal spending surges, cybercriminals are targeting shoppers with fake deals, phishing links, and shady apps. According to HIPAA Vault, the best defense is a good offense: skip suspicious links, update your devices, and avoid public Wi-Fi like it’s expired eggnog. Bonus points for using strong passwords and enabling two-factor authentication.

At work? Don’t shop till you drop on the company network—stick to personal devices and secure connections. And if a random pop-up promises 90% off the latest iPhone, remember: if it looks too good to be true, it probably is.

Your mobile’s not immune either: Use trusted apps, keep your OS updated, and think twice before saving your credit card info in that sketchy shopping app.

Industry News Roundup

Pro-Russia Hacktivists Are Coming for U.S. Infrastructure

Cybersecurity agencies from the U.S., Canada, and Europe are sounding the alarm: Pro-Russian hacktivists have been targeting critical infrastructure across the West with a flurry of low-skill but high-noise cyberattacks. Unlike advanced threat groups that surgically target high-value systems, these actors rely on easy wins—like unpatched internet-facing systems and unsecured remote desktop tools—to disrupt sectors including energy, water, food, and even healthcare.

While the attacks often lack technical finesse, they still pose a serious threat by aiming to damage operations and stir public panic. Officials warn that even fabricated claims of cyberattacks can create real-world chaos.

The solution? Better segmentation, stronger authentication, and secure-by-design hardware. Because sometimes, all it takes to wreak havoc is an open door and a megaphone.

Even with unsophisticated tools, the average “hacktivist” can scan the entire internet for exposed remote desktop systems in under 5 minutes—faster than it takes to toast a bagel.

→ Read the full advisory and see if your systems are in the crosshairs

Dental Imaging Software Gets a Security Root Canal

A critical bug in AJAT Panoramic Dental Imaging software just got patched—and it's one healthcare orgs can’t afford to ignore. Tracked as CVE-2024-22774, the flaw could let attackers hijack DLLs to escalate privileges and gain full system control. Translation: A standard user could end up operating as NT Authority/SYSTEM—a hacker’s golden ticket.

The issue affects versions prior to 6.6.1.490 and stems from an uncontrolled search path element in the ccsservice.exe component. With a CVSS score as high as 8.5, the vulnerability is officially in “serious business” territory.

Varex Imaging, which now owns the AJAT software, has issued a patch and urged all users to manually install it on affected workstations. CISA is also waving red flags, advising additional network protections and use of up-to-date VPNs for remote access.

A single misconfigured file path in medical software can open the door to full system takeover—kind of like a cavity becoming a root canal…for your entire network.

→ Get the full rundown and patch instructions

Security Tip

If you manage a WordPress site (or several), Patchstack is one of the best tools you can have in your arsenal. Unlike traditional security plugins that focus on malware scanning and post-hack cleanup, Patchstack is all about prevention. It monitors your plugins, themes, and WordPress core for known vulnerabilities and alerts you early—sometimes up to 48 hours before public disclosure.

The free version is great for staying informed and managing updates from a central dashboard. But if you’re running a WooCommerce store, client websites, or anything business-critical, the paid version is well worth it. It adds automatic virtual patching, advanced hardening, 2FA, and a huge database of protection rules that block threats before they can be exploited.

 → Patchstack helps you fix the holes before attackers find them.

Security that never takes a holiday

This season, give your website the gift of compliance. HIPAA Vault’s WordPress Hosting is tailor-made for healthcare professionals who need ironclad security without the complexity. For just $120/month (with the first month free), you’ll sleep easy knowing your site is protected from breaches and fines.

• Fully-managed and HIPAA-audited

• 24/7 live support with <15 min response

• Free SSL, daily backups, & secure plugin management

• Comes with a BAA and risk-free 30-day trial

Whether you’re a solo practitioner or scaling a healthcare platform, HIPAA Vault keeps your WordPress site compliant, fast, and worry-free—no tech headaches required.

 →  Start your 30-day free trial now

Trusted by 1,000+ Customers. 0 Violations. 22 Years of Experience.

When compliance is critical, trust matters. Here’s what real customers say about working with HIPAA Vault:

“I truly could not be happier! Customer Service has always been VERY important to me and it was the catalyst for me choosing HIPAA Vault above competitors after seeing several reviews about excellent customer service. Without fail, each email and phone call has been with a person who has been patient, helpful, able to explain things in a way I can understand, and I have NEVER had to wait for help! have not been disappointed!”
— Jenny French

→ When it comes to WordPress and HIPAA, we handle compliance—so you can focus on care.