Your Homework Was Hacked--Canvas Breach Gives Students an Excuse to Avoid Studying

Students, faculty, and administrators across the country got an unexpected interruption to finals week after hackers linked to the cybercrime group ShinyHunters allegedly breached Instructure, the company behind the Canvas learning platform used by thousands of schools worldwide. While passwords and financial information do not currently appear to have been stolen, cybersecurity experts warn the data could still fuel phishing attacks, scams, impersonation attempts, and long-term identity risks for students and faculty alike. If you use or have used Canvas, now is the time to change passwords, watch for suspicious emails, and treat every “urgent” school message like it arrived wrapped in digital caution tape. READ FULL STORY

Home Title Theft May Make Your Home No Longer Your Home

Imagine waking up to learn your home is no longer your home. No one broke in and held you hostage to get it, no one served you paperwork to get out, but suddenly you discover that the name on the deed to your property is no longer yours and no actual legal transfer took place. No broken windows. No moving trucks in the driveway. However, paperwork appears that says it’s no longer yours. But your home is no longer your home. What may have happened is deed fraud. READ FULL STORY

Financial Services Robust Security Forces Cybercriminals To Target Customers

Cybersecurity experts are focused on finding ways to foil attempts by cyber criminals to access information related to client accounts and the cyber criminals themselves, who are continually in search of loopholes in security solutions to access sensitive personal information. And if research from Akamai is true in their annual “State of the Internet” report, then cybersecurity teams are fighting a desperate fight against professional malware groups intent on using a variety of tactics. READ FULL STORY

Business Email Spoofing On The Rise

While the headlines are focused on ransomware attacks, spoofed emails are getting sneakier and more successful. Bad actors are always finding new ways to hack their way into businesses, and spoofing email addresses are proven way of doing just that. During the first 100 days of the coronavirus outbreak, spoofing attacks increased by 30%. This type of phishing email can sneak past antivirus security and lead to data theft, fraudulent wire transfers, ransomware, BEC (business email compromise), and more. READ FULL STORY

CAPTCHA Used as Bait For Growing Number Of Email Scams

Most of us are familiar with the funky CAPTCHA verification window that occasionally pops-up when signing onto a website. CAPTCHA systems lend a level of credibility to those of us asked to verify online that we’re human and not a bot. Seeing it makes us feel better about the site being more secure than others. After all, only a 100% legitimate website or service would dare use CAPTCHA, right? Wrong. This now Google-owned service has become a favorite bait for scammers who want you to believe they’re legitimate, and it’s working big-time. READ FULL STORY

Account Takeover Fraud is on the Rise

If you’re not able to login to an account, you might be victim to an account takeover (ATO). According to Spy Cloud, 22% of adults in the U.S. have experienced an ATO. And globally in 2023, ATOs grew by 155%. ATO’s target individuals and organizations. But bringing ATOs home, Spy Cloud finds they affected more than 24 million households. Financial theft is the undisputed goal of an ATO. With this crime on the rise, it’s a smart idea to learn more about them. READ FULL STORY

The Red Hot Scams of 2026 are Heating Up

While we all tend to look forward to retirement, scammers never actually get around to it. In fact, they are entering 2026 with sharper tricks and colder hearts. AARP’s latest warning highlights several “red-hot” scams already spreading across the internet and phone lines, from fake job offers to terrifying “digital arrest” threats. Knowing how these schemes work could be the difference between keeping your money safe and watching it vanish. READ FULL STORY

The 10 Most Common 4-Digit PINs: Is Yours One of Them?

By now, it’s common knowledge that anything to do with your online security that’s easy-to-guess presents personal security risks. One of those risks involves using a 4-digit PIN code for your smartphone, additional devices, ATM accounts, and payment cards. Commonly used PINs make it easy for you to remember but they also make it easy for hackers to guess. Below are 10 of the most common 4-digit PIN codes cybercriminals try first, so take a look and see if yours is on the list. READ FULL STORY

Know The Signs Of A Social Security Scam

Scammers frequently change their approach with new tactics and messages to trick people. We encourage you to stay up to date on the latest news and advisories by following SSA OIG on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook or subscribing to receive email alerts. READ FULL STORY

Firewall vs. Antivirus: What’s the Difference?

In today's interconnected world, cybersecurity is more important than ever. Businesses of all sizes face the threat of cyberattacks, and the stakes are high. A successful attack can result in the loss of sensitive data, financial damage, and reputational damage. Fortunately, there are a variety of cybersecurity solutions available to help businesses protect themselves. By investing in these products and services, businesses can defend themselves against a wide range of threats, such as viruses, malware, and SQL injections. READ FULL STORY

Your Bank Is Calling. Or Is It?

A phone call that looks like it’s coming from your financial institution could be the opening move in a fast-moving chess game the FBI is warning about. Using spoofed numbers and convincing scripts, criminals create a sense of urgency, claiming your account is under attack. The next move includes a carefully guided attempt to extract passwords, verification codes, or even push you to move your own money straight into their hands. Knowing when to hang up could be the difference between staying secure and watching your account drained in a flash. READ FULL STORY

Keeping Your Mobile Device Apps Virus Free

It’s no secret that cybercriminals take advantage of anxiety-filled times and the current coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) is most certainly one of those moments. The latest cybersecurity news reports that Android smartphones are being targeted with apps claiming to have up-to-date data on COVID-19. These infected apps promise the latest updates, but to unsuspecting users who download them, they also promise malware will surely be installed on your mobile device. READ FULL STORY