Not All Cookies Are Created Equal; Know When Not To Accept Them

It seems every webpage you land on these days has an “Accept Cookies” pop-up. After all, what’s the big deal about a few cookies, so we click “Accept” and move on. Well, turns out it’s a bigger deal to accept cookies than most users realize. Thinking twice before you accept them can help keep malicious and zombie cookies off your device, among other things. Who would ever think a few innocent cookies could be a bad thing, but unfortunately, many of them are. READ FULL STORY

Phishing Scams Exploit Pricey Auto-Subscription Fears

With email among the top productivity tools in our everyday lives, we know cybercriminals have adopted it for their benefit, too. And now, according to an alert by the National Security Agency (NSA) and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), there’s a new and highly lucrative email phishing campaign making the rounds. Both agencies are sounding the alarm about a particular version of this phish, wanting the public to know how it works. READ FULL STORY

WhatsApp Screen-Mirroring Scam Draining Bank Accounts

A new and dangerously convincing scam is spreading fast on WhatsApp, and it’s catching everyday users and tech pros alike off guard. At the center of it all is something millions of people use daily — a legitimate feature that makes life easier but, in the wrong hands, turns into a direct pipeline for cybercriminals to steal your money. Victims say it all starts with a simple message or call, and before they know it, their bank accounts are drained. READ FULL STORY

Just Two Words Can Put You In The Middle Of A Smishing Scam

Phishing by text or “smishing” has long been a thorn in the side of smartphone users. With cybercriminals always looking for new ways to lure victims, this latest smishing attack is doing the trick. And now, a Chinese smishing network using just two words in a text are tricking victims into handing over sensitive information. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reports that last year, scam texts alone cost consumers a reported $470 million and growing. READ FULL STORY

Are Text Message Sign-In Links Safe?

Millions of people may be unknowingly exposed by “sign-in” links sent via text message. A recent study from researchers at several universities in the U.S. found that poorly secured SMS login links can be guessed or reused by attackers, opening the door to account takeovers and data theft. While it's convenient to not have to create an account and keep track of yet another password, those links often have predictable or weak security tokens at the end of their URLs. Attackers with only basic tools can guess or tweak these tokens to access other users’ accounts.  READ FULL STORY

Is Your VPN Falling Behind? What You Need to Know

Making sure your software is always up to date makes for much safer online activity, whether you’re traveling or working on the go. That’s especially true when using a VPN (Virtual Private Network). Some use them for security, others for privacy, and many for both. Having a VPN makes you a much tougher target for attackers, but only if it’s running at full capacity. Keeping hackers out of our online activities gets tougher every day. Keeping your VPN up to date is a smart way to fight back. READ FULL STORY

These Companies May Try to Phish You

Every year, one of the cybersecurity companies in the world releases a report of the most impersonated firms used in phishing attacks. Unsurprisingly and typically, many of those companies are technology firms. Recently, Check Point released their report on this topic and it’s unlikely anyone will be surprised to see the results. Just taking a moment to consider whether the message is legitimate or not, may save you from a lot of stress. READ FULL STORY

Quick Social Engineering Refresher

Let's dive into the world of social engineering and its impact on our lives, shall we? Brace yourself for a friendly reminder about this sneaky psychological manipulation technique that can really mess with your day. Picture this: someone cleverly exploits your mind to get you to do their bidding or spill sensitive information. It could never happen to you, right? Well, think again. Sometimes they sneak up on you and don't even know what's going on until it's too late. READ FULL STORY

Texting MFA Codes Isn’t Your Most Secure Option. Here Are Some Alternatives

For the longest time, verifying our identity logging into an account involved getting texted an MFA (multi-factor authentication) code. At the time, it was usually considered safe to do. Well, not so much anymore. In fact, cybersecurity pros agree, although better than nothing, this option has almost as many security holes as a piece of Swiss cheese. Today there are more secure identity verification options to consider and should be used when you have the option to do so. READ FULL STORY

March 31 Reminds Us That One Small Action Could Save Your Digital Life

It’s tucked between the big holidays and easy to overlook, but March 31 brings a reminder your future self will thank you for. World Backup Day isn’t about balloons or barbecues. It’s about protecting everything on your devices before something goes wrong. From cyberattacks to simple accidents, data loss happens more often than you might think. The good news is backing up your files is easier than ever, and taking a few minutes now could save years of photos, documents, and memories later. READ FULL STORY

A Hidden Flaw That Could Be Lurking in Your Android

Your Android phone might be carrying around more than just your apps and photos. A newly discovered security flaw could affect as many as 1 in 4 Android devices, and the tricky part is it hides deep inside the hardware. Researchers say it can be exploited in under a minute, potentially exposing passwords, PINs, and other sensitive data. It sounds like something out of a spy movie, but it’s very real. The good news is you don’t need to ditch your phone. A few quick checks and simple habits can help keep your digital life from becoming easy pickings. READ FULL STORY

There Is Plenty Of Phishing On Online Apps--Don't Get Hooked

A recent documentary aired on subscription streaming service, Netflix, that highlighted how difficult it is to detect when someone is trying to take advantage of human nature and kindness. You may have seen it. It has been discussed on various media and it may be difficult to watch. But it is yet another example of how criminals use social engineering and trust to get what they want. One interviewee tells the story of how she met a guy that matched and swept her off her feet and swept her bank account clean. READ FULL STORY