Keeping Your Information More Private and Out of the Hands of Attackers

It’s no secret, especially after the recent revelation of the NPD breach, that our information is everywhere online. This is true whether we intentionally allowed it or not. There are numerous websites that collect information about us and post it online. Many are “people search” sites. If you’ve ever looked up an unfamiliar phone number, some of these likely showed up. Well-known lookup sites have all kinds of information on all of us. The challenge is to keep this information from making you a victim of a phishing attack or identity theft. READ FULL STORY

Your Health Data May Have Been Hunted

A cyberattack involving legacy systems belonging to Exact Sciences (now owned by Abbot) has put potentially sensitive patient information in the hands of cybercriminals. The ShinyHunters group claims it stole and later published data that includes millions of email addresses along with names, addresses, phone numbers and health-related information. Abbott says it is investigating the incident and has not confirmed exactly what information was taken. For patients and healthcare providers, this is another reminder that medical information can remain exposed long after the systems that originally collected it are considered "legacy." Your Health Data May Have Been Hunted READ FULL STORY

Hackers Flush Out Users’ Google Credentials

Hackers have begun employing a new annoyance technique to steal Google account passwords. This tactic, called credential flushing, relies on getting malware onto a device that locks the system into “kiosk mode.” In this mode, users are prevented from doing anything else without providing their account credentials. Once the victim provides them, hackers can log into the victim’s Google account and steal personal information or further compromise their online security. READ FULL STORY

Simple Habits That Make You a Tougher Target for Cybercrooks

It’s already well into the new year and a fresh year usually brings fresh goals—exercise more, spend less, maybe try a new hobby. But one resolution that deserves a permanent spot on everyone’s list is tightening up your personal cybersecurity. Cyberthreats don’t take holidays, and scammers aren’t slowing down. In fact, they’re getting bolder, trickier, and faster at finding new ways to get into your accounts and steal your money or data. READ FULL STORY

Social Media Brings Out The Worst Scammers

Social media attacks are a favorite of those pesky cybercriminals. One might wonder why. Well, it’s because it’s easy pickin's going for those accounts. Researchers at Arkose Labs found that of 1.2 billion social media interactions, 53% of the logins were fraudulent and 25% of new accounts were phony. Millions of people use one form of social media or another, whether it’s Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, LinkedIn, or something else. That leaves a barrel full of phish used for targets for hackers and scammers. READ FULL STORY

Social Media Free Giveaway Scams Come With Hefty Costs

That $1,000 Amazon gift card you were promised for filling out a survey was never intended to be paid but is in fact a giveaway scam you just fell for. You may think there’s no real harm in filling out a bogus survey, but the real thing about these scams is that it’s stealing your PII (personally identifiable information). The enduring and timeless nature of scam giveaways show that, people don’t change much when it comes to getting something for nothing. READ FULL STORY

Are You Playing a Scammer’s Favorite Tune

Just when you thought you’d heard it all, there’s always another song to be played. This one is big, very big. It’s called a “Piano Scam”, and countless victims around the globe are getting played. Even those doing everything right to avoid this scam don’t escape it. A Piano Scam casts a wide net, targeting music schools and music stores, healthcare, and other industries. It also includes individuals searching online for a used piano. A scammer makes an offer that’s hard to refuse—a free piano and a story about why they can’t take it with them to wherever they are going. 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 Quick and Dirty on QR Codes

QR codes, those little square mazes, are everywhere nowadays. From accessing restaurant menus to entering sweepstakes and registering new products, they’ve become a staple in modern convenience. However, like any technology, cybercriminals have found ways to exploit these codes, turning them into digital traps. There are many ways these boxes of squiggles can be misused, including via phishing, in advertisements, and overlaid on real ones. 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