Here’s a great idea offered by the National Cyber Security Alliance and the Better Business Bureau: while you are doing your spring cleaning, don’t forget to do a digital spring cleaning too—that is, your computer, cellphone and Internet-connected devices. The tips acknowledge that we all have information contained on our computers, cellphones and mobile devices … Continue Reading
Many readers know that it would be a cold day in H-E-Double Hockey Sticks (Go Bruins!) that I have in the past or ever in the future will take an online quiz. Why on earth would anyone do that? What is the benefit to you of participating in a seemingly innocuous quiz about yourself and … Continue Reading
I have the privilege of teaching Privacy Law at Roger Williams University School of Law, one of the few law schools in the country to offer the course. This is the fourth year the course has been offered, and the students who take the course are bright and engaged. The fun thing about teaching the … Continue Reading
As our readers know, I am particularly interested in protecting our seniors from fraud. They continue to be a vulnerable population and unfortunately, here is another scam that makes me mad: social security fraud. Many elect to have their social security payments deposited by direct deposit, and in fact, it is required by the Social … Continue Reading
I was so honored to be a presenter at the Bryant Women’s Summit last week. It is always an incredible event and I enjoy attending every year. But the bonus for me this year is that I also got to interact with a lively group of executive and professional women that were eager to learn … Continue Reading
There is a global malware campaign that is targeting mobile devices across the world. It is called Dark Caracal, which is believed to be sourced in Beirut by the Lebanese General Security Directorate. According to security researchers, attacks on mobile devices are on the rise because people are using their smartphones more than they are … Continue Reading
This writer has been lamenting for years about the fact that Medicare recipients’ Social Security numbers are included on the face of the card. This is an unnecessary risk posed to Medicare recipients, which are primarily senior citizens, some of our most vulnerable citizens, who are already preyed upon by scammers. Medicare has recognized the … Continue Reading
When talking to colleagues and friends, it appears that folks do not understand how their smartphones work and the data that can be accessed through them. This prompted me to again give basic steps that can be used to protect personal information that can be accessed, legitimately and in an unauthorized manner through the settings … Continue Reading
According to a Proofpoint study that analyzed 160 billion emails delivered to 2,400 global companies at the end of 2017, 88.8 percent of organizations were targeted by at least one email phishing attack over the past year. This is an increase over its 2016 report conclusion of 75 percent. In addition, more identities were spoofed … Continue Reading
It is a myth that employees hate training and education. I have seen it with my own eyes. It is very exciting to watch an audience visibly cover their mouths when real life stories are told about cyber-attacks and phishing incidents that employees’ conduct cause because they are working too fast, not paying attention to … Continue Reading
It is well known that hackers and fraudsters surf Facebook to find individuals who have not protected their information through Facebook’s privacy settings. People put a lot of information on Facebook that is very personal and can give criminals detailed leads on how to launch successful campaigns against unsuspecting victims. Less publicized is the fact … Continue Reading
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued a scam alert this week notifying consumers that it has received an up-tick in complaints that scammers are calling consumers claiming they are from the Social Security Administration. The scammers tell the individual that there has been a computer problem at the Social Security Administration and that they need … Continue Reading
Who knew—but yes, next week is Tax Identity Theft Awareness Week. How sad is it that we have to have a week devoted to education and awareness on this topic? It’s tax season (“busy season” as my CPA friends call it), and prime time for identity thieves to reap millions in fake and fraudulent tax … Continue Reading
WhatsApp has been applauded for adding end-to-end encryption on its platform to secure conversations of its users two years ago. But encryption has its challenges, despite its security posture. Recently, a team of German cryptographers found flaws in WhatsApp that they say makes it easier for unauthorized individuals to access group chats. They also found … Continue Reading
We all learned the hard way how important patching vulnerabilities are when a major data breach occurred during 2017 that exposed the personal information of 80% of U.S. adults that was reportedly avoidable with a patch. The biggest news in 2018 about patching is that to respond to the Spectre and Meltdown flaws [view related … Continue Reading
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) issued a warning to parents in the past about the concerns with connected toys. Many parents recently bought the newest gadgets for their kids over the holidays, without realizing the capabilities of these toys to collect, maintain, sell and use personal information. As I chat with people about the … Continue Reading
‘Tis the season for gift giving. Smartphones and mobile devices are a hot item during the holidays. The first thing many people do when they get a new phone or device is to start downloading apps. Since there will be a lot of downloading over the next week, here are some tips to help you … Continue Reading
‘Tis the season of stuffing stockings. ‘Tis also the season of “credential stuffing.” What is credential stuffing you ask? According to Wikipedia, “credential stuffing is a type of cyber-attack where stolen account credentials are used to access user accounts through large-scale automated login requests directed against a web application.” According to Shape Security, credential stuffing … Continue Reading
People always ask me what hackers do when they are able to obtain our personal information, including our Social Security numbers. There are many things hackers use our information for, some of which include filing false tax returns in our name to obtain fraudulent tax refunds, opening up new credit card accounts and other credit … Continue Reading
You continue to hear that your employees are your biggest risk when it comes to causing a data breach. Recent incidents that we have been involved in that were caused by employee error include: lost or stolen unencrypted laptops, phones or removable media; downloading sensitive information onto thumb drives or USB drives and losing them; … Continue Reading
It is estimated that we will spend $4 billion online this year, including on Cyber Monday, coming up in just a few days. With the increase in online shopping, particularly over the holidays, it is prime time for scheming scammers to take advantage of the unwary online shopper. Here are some things to think about … Continue Reading
A new study by Google, the University of California Berkeley and the International Computer Science Institute has concluded that email users are being threatened by massive credential theft and phishing schemes are the primary way hackers are stealing credentials. According to the study, phishing victims are 400 times more likely to have their email accounts … Continue Reading
I just read an article about a nurse from Florida who was convicted of wire fraud, theft of government funds, possession of unauthorized access devices and aggravated identity theft. The nurse worked in a nursing home between October of 2011 and December of 2012 and while employed in that capacity, she stole the personal information … Continue Reading
Security researchers at Check Point discovered software vulnerabilities in LG IoT devices which allowed them to potentially gain control over LG refrigerators, ovens, dishwashers and a live feed from a robot vacuum cleaner. A vulnerability in the mobil app and cloud app allowed them to remotely gain access to LG IoT devices with just an … Continue Reading
