There is a reason why every single state data breach notification law in the United States requires organizations to notify individuals in the event a driver’s license has been compromised. And I have two real life stories to show why it is so important to keep your driver’s license number safe and secure, just like
Krebsonsecurity
Privacy Tip #471 – SMS Phishing on the Rise Before the Holidays
The holidays are always a busy time—sending holiday cards, cooking, present shopping and giving, and spending time with family and friends. It’s also an opportune and busy time for scammers too.
A new report by KrebsonSecurity reminds us that fraudsters use the holidays to launch new campaigns, in this case, SMS phishing scams. According to…
Update: Ransomware—To Pay or Not to Pay
Three recent events are prompting me to update our previous blog post on the difficult decision of whether to pay or not to pay ransomware following an attack [view related post].
The first event is the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) issued an advisory on October 1, 2020,…
Urgent Warning of Imminent Threat to Hospitals Issued by U.S. Government
On October 27, 2020, the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) warned the health care industry about “an imminent cybercrime threat to U.S. hospitals and healthcare providers.”
According to the warning, which was shared during a conference call, the government has received “credible information of an increased and imminent cybercrime threat to U.S.…
Privacy Tip #231 – Out of Work Because of Coronavirus? Beware of Scammers Pretending to Be Employers
It is an old trick, and one that scammers are once again using following massive lay-offs after the coronavirus outbreak and mandates to shelter from home. The trick is to impersonate an employer recruiting for jobs, or touting the ability to make lots of money while working from home. As the old adage says, “If…
Privacy Tip #206 – Be Mindful of Calendar Invites—They Can Contain Spam
Spam is invading all aspects of our online life, and of late, even our online calendars. I hadn’t thought about embedded malware in calendar invites until I read an informative krebsonsecurity.com blog article this week. I think this is something everyone should know about and be mindful of when receiving calendar invites.
Calendar invites are…
WIPRO Hacked
I have been alerting clients that I know use Wipro, but may have missed some of you. It is being reported that IT outsourcing company Wipro Ltd. has been hacked through several phishing campaigns from what is believed to be a state-sponsored attacker.
According to recent reports, including KrebsonSecurity, sources have stated that “Wipro’s systems…
Privacy Tip #164 – Identity Thieves Using USPS Informed Delivery to Open Fraudulent Credit Card Accounts
The United State Postal Service (USPS) launched a program called “Informed Delivery” with the goal to assist consumers in protecting themselves from identity theft. The program allows consumers to register an account on usps.gov which allows one to view scanned images of all of their incoming mail for free.
However, it is being reported that…
Millions of Sensitive Records Leaked by Another Spyware Maker
We reported last week that a spyware maker compromised users’ and victims’ sensitive information [view related post]. Since that time, another spyware maker, mSpy, which holds itself out as having over a million users employing its product to “spy” on their partners and children, has reportedly leaked the passwords, call logs, text messages, location…
Thousands of Patients’ PHI Exposed By Transcription Provider MEDantex
Medical transcription provider MEDantex has reportedly exposed the protected health information of thousands of patients through its unsecured provider portal, which did not require a password for access.
According to reports, including KrebsOnSecurity, the patients’ audio medical notes were uploaded to MEDantex’s website, which were then to be transcribed and uploaded to a portal accessible…