Two cybersecurity events
you should know about:
AT&T says hackers stole six months’ worth of call and text message records of nearly every customer in mid-2022. While the stolen communications were not linked to individuals, CBS News says matching the texts and calls to who made them is relatively easy for hackers to do.
In a separate story, 10 billion usernames and passwords have been posted for sale on the dark web—the largest such breach in history.
Here are three steps you can take to protect yourself:
- When you send sensitive personal text messages, consider using an encrypted app like WhatsApp, Messenger, Google Messages, or Signal, rather than a less secure app like Facebook Chat, SnapChat, AOL Instant Messenger, or Yahoo Messenger.
- Now is the time to update the passwords for your banking, email, government, and other important personal accounts.
- And consider buying and installing password management software on your personal laptop, desktop, and smartphone.
Cybersecurity News You Can Use
Hackers who breached Ticketmaster’s systems are demanding a $2 million dollar ransom payment, or they say they’ll release individual ticket barcode information for Taylor Swift events, P!nk, Sting, Sporting events: F1 Formula Racing, MLB, NFL, and thousands more. Bleeping Computer says the personal information of about 560 million Ticketmaster customers is now for sale online for $500,000. If you have a Ticketmaster account, change your password and turn on two-factor authentication.
If you have an online account with any of these organizations, change your password. They’ve all recently suffered cyber-attacks.
According to the U.S. National Security Agency, powering off your smartphone once a week won’t guarantee it stays free of dangerous malware, but it might help. The most important steps you can take are keeping your phone’s operating system up-to-date and only downloading apps from the official app store — not a link you find in an email or website.
Phish of the Week
As you’re surfing the web, this scary message appears on your smartphone.
“Your device is infected with a dangerous virus!”
The final image even gives you a way to pay money and “fix the problem.”
This is a scam. Just close the page and resume surfing.
![11 Virtual Meeting Best Practices[NCH]](https://cdn.awareforcecyber.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/11-Virtual-Meeting-Best-PracticesNCH.png)
Have you received what you think is a fake phishing email?
Let us know right away!
The faster we know, the more we can do to protect everyone.
Click the phishing icon in your email browser to forward the suspicious email to us.
One more thing...
Nearly 3 million people have watched this promo video for a new James Bond movie starring Henry Cavill and Margot Robbie.
This promotional trailer was created entirely using AI and computers by YouTubers at KH Studios.
Check out how realistic deepfakes are becoming!
Answers to Your
Cybersecurity Questions
“What can I do if someone breaks into one of my accounts, steals money or my identity, and I want some justice for what’s happened?” — Brandy C.
No doubt you feel violated and angry. But remember, you’re not alone. Cybercrime is now the third biggest “economy” in the world, behind the U.S. and China. You can respond to cybercrime by contacting the financial institution involved. File reports with local police and, in the U.S., the Federal Trade Commission. If it’s a significant loss or threat, consider talking with an attorney. But remember, even someone in law enforcement who is a cybercrime victim can’t necessarily count on their colleagues for help!
“How do you regain control of your computer after it has been hacked?” — Donna H.
Do two things right now to protect yourself: install anti-virus software on your home computer and learn how to make a backup copy of all the files. If your computer gets hacked, act fast to disconnect it from the internet. Launch it in safe mode and run the anti-virus application. If you can’t repair the problem, re-install the computer’s operating system (and remember, this will erase everything, including photos and files.) Change passwords on important accounts such as your bank, email, and cloud backup like iCloud or Google Cloud.
“If I have used Ticketmaster or any other vender and my information is ‘out there’ after a company has been hacked, what can they do with just my name, phone and credit card other than try and use the card for purchases?” — Gwen F.
Making purchases in your name is the most common outcome. You’re also more apt to receive convincing emails and texts with urgent instructions to make unexpected payments. Once scammers have fresh information about you, they may be able to figure out passwords to your social media accounts and begin masquerading as you. Worst case: they steal your identity, which can lead to accounts being opened, loans being taken out, and even crimes being committed in your name.
“Is Google always listening?” — Marty F.
Alexa, Amazon Echo, Apple Siri, Microsoft Cortana, and other smart devices are always listening to the activation word (usually “Alexa,” “Echo,” “Hey Siri,” or other voice assistant keywords). But recording begins only after the device thinks it has heard that wake word. Visit the preferences section of your Alexa, Siri, Cortana, or Echo app — and your smart TV — to control how these devices function.
Original content © 2024 Aware Force LLC