Cybersecurity News You Can Use
SCAMMERS SEE OPPORTUNITY IN THE RECENT WORLDWIDE COMPUTER MELTDOWN: Following the global computer shutdown due to a flawed software update from cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike, companies are warning employees to be wary of emails that claim to come from CrowdStrike. The New York Times says scammers may look to get you to pay something quickly by offering a discount product like a bogus plane ticket. In this case, they would also be after personal identifying data that would allow them to access your finances in the future.
HEADS UP, WINDOWS AND MAC USERS: Trustwave says Facebook ads promoting cool Windows desktop background apps are actually malware designed to lift personal information off a victim’s personal computer. And Mac users: Beware of texts and emails warning you about issues with your iCloud account. These phishing messages are designed to steal your Apple username and password and take over your Apple account.
GOOGLE WON’T PHASE OUT COOKIES, AFTER ALL — Cookies are tiny files collected and stored on your computer that track the websites you visit. While cookies can save you the trouble of manually entering passwords and shipping information, they provide information about your online behavior even when you surf in “incognito” mode. Now comes word that Google has decided not to phase out cookies on its Chrome browser. PCMag recommends Firefox, Brave, Opera, and Tempest as alternatives to Chrome for those who are concerned about their privacy.
You can also turn off cookies manually in Google Chrome.
Open Chrome. Click on the three dots (menu icon) in the upper-right corner of the browser window > Settings > Privacy and Security > Cookies and Other Site Data > Disable Cookies > Block all cookies (or “block third-party cookies”).
These companies have been hacked recently. If you do business with any of them, change the password on your account.
Phish of the Week
“Phishes” are scam emails from scammers.
“Vishes” are scam voicemails.
So, what’s a “quish?”
That’s where a scammer sticks a fake QR code on top of a real one,
sending you to a website designed to get you to enter your personal information.
Click to watch an example of a quish at a car charging station.
DailyDay® via Instagram
One more thing...
The latest video technology creates incredibly realistic images that will be used in movies and video games. This video was created by Semini Games using the latest 3-D software called Unreal Engine 5.
None of the images in these scenes exist in real life.
Click to watch.
Answers to Your
Cybersecurity Questions
“Is there a way to find out who has hacked you?” — Timothy K.
Unfortunately, there is not a straightforward method. Begin with local law enforcement and file a complaint with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov. LinkedIn says law enforcement agencies and cybersecurity experts use IP address tracking, GPS location tracking, and forensic analysis of the hacked device to identify the attacker’s location and identity. If you still have access to your account, log in from a trusted computer and reset your password with a new, unique and strong password — the longer the better.
Bankrate says bank apps are safe — but be alert. Only download a banking app from the bank’s website or your official app store — never from an email or text message. Use a long password and two-factor authentication with your account. And never click a link in an email instructing you to change your password or login even if looks like it came from a bank.
“I needed a font for my personal computer and found a website that offered it for free. Are free fonts safe to download and install?” — AnnH1
Monotype says you should be cautious about installing fonts. A normal-looking font from a shady website could contain code that infects your computer. Criminals can also use free fonts to trick you into downloading malware: a website you visit might suddenly become unreadable, and a warning instructs you to download a dangerous file to fix the issue. Anti-virus programs installed and running on your personal computer are engineered to protect you from this risk.
Original content © 2024 Aware Force LLC