Are You A Money Mule? What You Need To Know

Criminals of all kinds traffic in stolen money and need middlemen to relocate the funds. From romance scams to phishing attacks and more, there’s plenty of fraudsters with hijacked money needing laundering—and that’s where money mules come in handy. Unfortunately, sometimes those people are unaware of what they are doing, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be punished for it. Check out the red flags of avoiding becoming a money mule—and a criminal. READ FULL STORY

Understanding Multi-Factor Authentication

We all know that passwords alone just don’t cut it anymore. Between data breaches, phishing attacks, and password reuse, relying on a single password to protect your most valuable accounts is like locking your front door but leaving the windows wide open. That’s where multi-factor authentication (MFA) comes in. It adds extra layers of protection to your online accounts. While many companies are implementing passkeys, not all of them have it available. So, MFA is the next best way to protect your accounts, MFA makes it so that even if your password falls into the wrong hands, no one can get in without passing additional verification steps. READ FULL STORY

MFA Push Bombing Can Wear You Down

Cybercriminals are getting smarter about bypassing multi-factor authentication (MFA), and one of their favorite tricks is something called push bombing. It’s a simple tactic, but extremely effective when victims are caught off guard or overwhelmed. It's designed to wear us down. And most of us have probably been overwhelmed by notifications at some point, which is why this type of attack has proven successful time and again for attackers. READ FULL STORY

Click the Box to Prove You're Human to Hackers

We've all done it countless times. It's so routine that we don't think about it much. Click the "I'm not a robot" box, solve a simple puzzle, and move on. But cybercriminals are now taking advantage of that routine by creating fake CAPTCHA pages that trick users into infecting their own computers. Instead of proving you're human, victims unknowingly install malware capable of stealing passwords, banking information, cryptocurrency wallets, and other sensitive data. The scam is spreading quickly because it looks so familiar. Knowing what to watch for could be the difference between safely browsing the web and handing criminals the keys to your digital life. 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

Online Banking Risks – How Financial Institutions And Customers Partner For Better Security

The financial services sector has gone through significant changes since horse-drawn wagons delivered money to banks. Long after that, in-person visits to your local branch gave way to online banking on devices. But the start of the pandemic in 2020, left its mark on financial services and their customers. The risks of e-banking have been a very real concern ever since bad actors switched from cracking bank safes to cracking online accounts instead. A partnership with your financial institution can help boost online security. READ FULL STORY

Verification CAPTCHA Spreads Malware to Windows Users

That familiar CAPTCHA challenge we’re asked to do proving we’re not robots is getting some Windows users in trouble. Hackers are using their own bogus CAPTCHA pages to sneak malware onto Windows devices. It looks like this is one-time that Windows users may pay the price for not being a robot. The good news is, whether you’re clicking a box, choosing frames where an item is showing, or typing-in random letters, there’s a way to tell when you’re being targeted. READ FULL STORY

While Charity Scams Never Take a Day Off, Giving Tuesday Brings Out the Grinches

The spirit of giving doesn’t depend on the season. However, when Giving Tuesday comes around every year, scammers are quick to jump on that bandwagon. They exploit generosity, posing as legitimate charities or creating entirely fake ones to steal money and personal information. Their tactics change, but the goal never does: To take advantage of your kindness. Before you donate, take a moment, a little caution goes a long way toward protecting both your wallet and your identity. READ FULL STORY

MyChart Has an Epic New Problem: Scammers Want Your Medical Information

If you use MyChart to check lab results, schedule appointments, message your doctor, or pay a medical bill, there's a new scam you need to know about. Cybercriminals are sending emails and text messages that use the familiar MyChart name and logo to make them look legitimate. Some promise some freebies, while others claim you have important medical results waiting. The goal is to get you to click, hand over personal information, or even install malware. READ FULL STORY

Apple’s Spyware Warning-Should You Panic?

Apple’s mercenary spyware warnings have been making headlines, and understandably, that can sound like a digital five-alarm fire. The good news is that most people will never be targeted by this type of attack. These warnings are generally aimed at a small group of individuals who may be targeted because of their work, access to sensitive information, or public profile. But if Apple does warn you, don’t brush it off. Learn how to tell a real Apple notification from a phishing scam, what steps to take, and how to strengthen your iPhone’s defenses before trouble comes knocking. READ FULL STORY

Fidelity Customers Reminded That Stolen Data May Be Used Well Into the Future

If you have a retirement account, brokerage account, or other investment with Fidelity Investments, now is a good time to check your mailbox and email. A proposed class action settlement stemming from a 2024 data breach could provide eligible customers with reimbursement for documented losses, identity theft protection, and a cash payment. While the deadline to file a claim is approaching, many people may not even realize they qualify. Here's what happened, who may be eligible, and what you should do if you received a notification from Fidelity. READ FULL STORY

Oops I Clicked, Now What?

At some point in your life, you may have clicked something you shouldn’t have. Maybe the email looked legitimate. Maybe you were rushing between meetings. Maybe it appeared to come from someone you trust. The truth is that mistakes happen. What determines the impact, however, is not the click itself. It is the actions you take within the first ten minutes afterward. While you’re likely to go into panic mode, you shouldn’t. The most important thing you can do is stay calm. Panic leads to poor decisions and as we’ve learned before, that’s exactly what cybercriminals want you to do READ FULL STORY