How to Create an Incident Response Plan
Data breaches are extremely common as technology continues to advance. Of those breaches, small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) are a favored target for cybercriminals.
In fact, more than 70% of attacks target small businesses, according to the National Cyber Security Alliance, and as many as 60% of hacked SMBs go out of business following a data breach.
With the stakes so high, SMBs must be prepared to respond to a data breach in the event one was to occur.
Fake Check Scam
Being scammed can happen so easily today, but when you make it about a topic that many people can let their guard down with, the scam can happen much easier. What topic is that? We’re talking about money.
Fake check scams have been around for quite some time, however, with the increase in online sales and job postings, they are becoming easier to get away with. With money being part of a job application process or online sale, your guard is often down because you don’t necessarily expect something so seemingly simple to have any possible risk. Your trust is what makes you vulnerable.
Social Media Security Tips
Social media allows you to stay connected to people that you don’t get to see all of the time, and for that, it is a great thing. Family photos are easily shared, groups of like-minded people are able to gather together and share thoughts and ideas, and events are marketed to the masses for better visibility.
But You Changed Your Password – So How Did This Happen?
Anna Jones is an employee of Your Financial Services, Inc. and has used LinkedIn since 1996. It’s been a great tool for listing her employment history as well as communicating with former colleagues and potential employers to keep in touch. Over the years there’s been a lot of private information exchanged between her and these individuals, including salary ranges and other personal anecdotal information. LinkedIn isn’t her bank account or email, so she just uses her standard “go-to” username and password – the easy one that she knows she won’t forget.
Sextortion Scam
You get an email or text from what seems to be a legitimate email or phone number. Then you read the message: “Send bitcoin right away or else I am sending compromising photos or information to your friends and family.”
If you’ve received this type of email, you’ve likely been a victim to a new variation of an old scam.
You Can Have My Heart – Not My Wallet
Love is in the air, and many people are turning to the internet to find it. We all know someone who has met their significant other online or at least is having a good time while trying to find them by dating a few people they’ve met through dating apps or services. But are they giving away more than their phone number?
The Great Pyramids You Don’t Want to Visit
“You need to check out this company I’m investing in… it’s a no-brainer.”
“My friends are in this club, and it’s crazy, they basically paid a membership fee to join, and they are getting checks every month for doing nothing!”
Have you ever been on the other end of one of these conversations? Congratulations, you’re now likely part of the crowd who has been pitched to participate in a pyramid scheme.
Mystery Shopper Scams
Today, many people are working more than one job, and with the flexible options of contractor work, or work as needed opportunities, you can likely find something that fits your schedule and financial needs. Maybe you are looking for a little bit of extra work to make ends meet, or a way to save up for that summer vacation. If you work full-time and have errands to run already mystery shopping, or as it’s sometimes called, secret shopping can be a perfect solution.
Shining Light on the Dark Web
We’ve all heard of the Dark Web. The infamous private corners of the internet that are only accessible through special software that mask your IP address. You know, where you can do just about anything, from joining a book club to hiring an assassin. Maybe you want to play a chess match? The Dark Web has that! Looking to purchase stolen credit card information? You’re in the right place!
10 Ways to Safeguard Your Organization Against Ransomware
Remember ransomware, the malicious software that blocks computer access until a ransom demand is paid? The threat was huge and dominated headlines in the past but seems to have slowed down in recent months. Could the decline in publications citing ransomware as the cause of a data breach or loss of data indicate that cybercriminals have given up on dishing out the malware that locks your system or files until a ransom is paid? The answer is no, not even close.