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Articles from Robert Siciliano | Selfgrowth.com
- Hacker for hire a rising Trend - by Submitted on May 25, 2016 from Robert SicilianoHackers and wannabe hackers can easily purchase cheap tools of the trade online. The security firm Dell SecureWorks Inc. confirms this in their latest report and adds that underground markets for hackers, including those from Russia, is thriving. The “Dark Web” is the go-to place ...
Views: 941 - Should you take active Shooter Training? - by Submitted on May 24, 2016 from Robert SicilianoGunman Storms Building, Shot Dead by Receptionist Wouldn’t it be great to see a headline like this for once? More than ever, employees are being trained to react tactically should a gunman go on a rampage. There has to be a better way, for instance, to protect children in a classroom ...
Views: 668 - Don't pick up that USB Drive! - by Submitted on May 20, 2016 from Robert SicilianoWhat a very interesting experiment: Researches randomly deposited 297 USB drives (aka USB stick, flash drive, thumb drive) around the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus. They wanted to see just how many, and how soon after dropping them off, they’d be collected by ...
Views: 709 - Remove your Home from Google maps - by Submitted on May 19, 2016 from Robert SicilianoIf it unsettles you to see your home displayed on Google Maps, there’s something you can do about this. Why might this be a concern? Information is “intelligence”. Information to some is power. The logistics of your home may empower certain people, like burglars. Example; if ...
Views: 752 - Never put these Docs in your Wallet - by Submitted on May 17, 2016 from Robert SicilianoYes, believe it or not, you CAN get by in life with a wallet that just has a little cash, a store card or two, one to two credit cards and your ID. Unless you absolutely need your insurance card or Social Security card, leave those items at home. For years now, wallets have been on the market ...
Views: 779 - Woman Drives her Sleeping Assailant to Police Station - by Submitted on May 14, 2016 from Robert SicilianoYou don’t always have to outmuscle a assailant to beat him at his game. This is what a New Zealand woman learned after Vipul Romik Sharma abducted her. At first, things seemed fine; she exited a bar in Otahuhu with the 22-year-old and another man. Then they kidnapped and raped ...
Views: 926 - Google Alert Scams - by Submitted on May 13, 2016 from Robert SicilianoIf you want to know the latest on “any topic”, just sign up for Google Alerts. Google will e-mail you notifications of new information coming online. I have Google Alerts for “Home Invasion” “Identity Theft” “Burglary” “Computer ...
Views: 976 - Beware of the Jury Duty Scam - by Submitted on May 12, 2016 from Robert SicilianoImagine getting a call from someone identifying themselves as a federal court official or U.S. Marshal, informing you that your arrest is imminent unless you pay a cost—all because you failed to respond to a jury summons (which you don’t remember getting). I’d like to think ...
Views: 821 - Beware of the CEO E-mail Scam - by Submitted on May 11, 2016 from Robert SicilianoBeware of the B.E.C. scam, says a report at fbi.gov. The hackers target businesses and are good at getting what they want. The hackers first learn the name of a company’s CEO or other key figure such as the company’s lawyer or a vendor. They then figure out a way to make an ...
Views: 842 - Craigslist Rental Scams in Your Town - by Submitted on May 10, 2016 from Robert SicilianoCraigslist is one of my favorite sites on the Internet, though I admittedly have a love/hate relationship with it. One reason I love it is because of the deals and variety of items and services available, but I hate it because some of the people who use it are scammers and the site has some ...
Views: 645 - Before you die, do This - by Submitted on May 06, 2016 from Robert Siciliano“Nobody likes to do it, but it has to be done.” You’ve heard that before. This time, it applies to 26 documents that you should have all bundled up in a folder that trusted family members have access to (someplace where fire and water won’t damage them). But first ...
Views: 766(1 vote) - You need a Home Security Safe - by Submitted on May 05, 2016 from Robert SicilianoYou don’t have to be wealthy or live in a big house to need a home security safe. If you don’t think you need one, ask yourself why. Ask yourself if you don’t have any valuables—not necessarily something that would be valuable to a burglar, but something very dear and ...
Views: 796 - Celebrate World Password Day in 2016 With These Tips - by Submitted on May 04, 2016 from Robert SicilianoEach year, researchers in security take the time to rate some of the worst passwords found on the Internet. While popular pop culture events have caused waves with the list of the worst passwords of 2015 – think “solo,” “starwars,” and “princess” – ...
Views: 857 - What your Locksmith might not tell You - by Submitted on May 02, 2016 from Robert SicilianoIf your deadbolt has begun to malfunction, and you haven’t been using it because you fear the key will get jammed in it—perhaps it’s time to call a locksmith and have him fix it. Well, not so fast. This is not the way to go if you want to upgrade your door’s ...
Views: 732 - GPS Locator for a Person or Vehicle - by Submitted on Apr 29, 2016 from Robert SicilianoWe live in a time where you can track a car, a driver and even speed by using GPS tracking. This is a technology that is in huge demand, and it is not just because of higher rates of theft; but also due to technological advances and frankly, people “just want to know”. FBI reports ...
Views: 804 - Parents: Do You know your Teen's Social Media Platforms? - by Submitted on Apr 28, 2016 from Robert SicilianoWith all the apps out there that individualize communication preferences among teens, such as limiting “sharing,” parents should still hold their breath. Face it, parents: times have changed. It’s your duty to discuss these applications with your kids. And parents should also ...
Views: 795 - Yes, Macs Can get Malware - by Submitted on Apr 27, 2016 from Robert SicilianoSo Macs can be infected with malware. Who would have ever thought? The malware at issue here is the dreaded ransomware. Ransomware scrambles up your files, and the hacker at the helm says he’ll give you the cyber “key” in exchange for a handsome payment. Ransomware ...
Views: 759 - Why You should file your Tax Return Yesterday - by Submitted on Apr 26, 2016 from Robert SicilianoSomeone else might file your taxes if you don’t get to it. And they won’t be doing it as a favor; they’ll be doing it to steal your identity. Here’s how it works: Cyber thieves send fraudulent e-mails to a business’s employees. The e-mails are designed to ...
Views: 796 - What's the best Antivirus for You? - by Submitted on Apr 25, 2016 from Robert SicilianoThere are so many things to consider when it’s time to purchase antivirus software, but don’t let all the options overwhelm you. Take your time and don’t get too fixated on every little detail. Some systems will definitely conform more to your needs than others. But many people ...
Views: 597 - Posting Kids' Photos online is illegal? - by Submitted on Apr 22, 2016 from Robert SicilianoIn France, anything is possible. Like getting tossed in jail for posting your children’s photos on Facebook. Yes indeed, it’s true. People in France might be put behind bars for putting their kids’ pictures on Facebook. Or, they may face heavy fines. This is because the ...
Views: 747 - Three Quarters of a Billion Records breached - by Submitted on Apr 20, 2016 from Robert SicilianoLast year, says the security firm Gemalto, over 700 million records were breached. Or, to put it another way, this translates to two million stolen or lost records every day. 2015 Breach Level Report 1,673 hacking incidents 398 were triggered from the inside of the attacked company: ...
Views: 727 - Security Appreciation lacking - by Submitted on Apr 19, 2016 from Robert SicilianoWhat’s it gonna take for companies to crack down on their cybersecurity? What’s holding them back? Why do we keep hearing about one company data breach after another? Well, there’s just not enough IT talent going around. The irony is that most company higher-ups admit that ...
Views: 701 - How to safely travel in a Car - by Submitted on Apr 18, 2016 from Robert SicilianoBefore embarking on a road trip with a car full of kids, make sure everything about the vehicle is in top working condition, including the windshield wipers, A/C, heat, fluid levels, seatbelts and lights (exterior and interior). Hopefully you’ll have a GPS; make sure that works, too; ...
Views: 800 - Preplan for a Safe Vacation - by Submitted on Apr 15, 2016 from Robert SicilianoTraveling is fun, exciting, tiring and depending on your destination, generally safe. But bad things can happen. The best thing you can do before you go, is prepare. Safety Tips Blend in on your vacation. Before you leave for your trip, plan out your arrival. Dress like the locals. ...
Views: 802 - I want a Cell Phone Jammer - by Submitted on Apr 14, 2016 from Robert SicilianoWell, we certainly can’t blame Dennis Nicholl for breaking the law. Frankly, had I been nearby him when he did it, I would have kept silent and let him continue breaking the law—unless, of course, I was engaged in some loud, planet-moving discussion with a world leader. Nicholl, ...
Views: 812 - Look out for Shipping E-mail Phishing Scams - by Submitted on Apr 13, 2016 from Robert SicilianoStop clicking on e-mails about your package delivery! Scam, scam, scam! Look, it’s simple: Scammers are also pretending to be from the DHL and FedEx shipping companies, not just UPS. Crooks know that at any given time, thousands and thousands of U.S. people are waiting for a package ...
Views: 778 - Shred your Boarding Pass - by Submitted on Apr 12, 2016 from Robert SicilianoApparently there are people who take pictures of their airplane boarding pass…and post it online. I’m dead serious. I’ve heard of toddlers getting excited over scraps of paper, but full-grown adults posting images of their boarding pass online? Don’t get me ...
Views: 747 - IRS Identity Theft Prevention Tool hacked - by Submitted on Apr 11, 2016 from Robert SicilianoThe Identity Protection PIN tool on the IRS.gov site has been temporarily suspended—because it was recently hacked into. The tool provides retrieval of forgotten or lost IP PINs to users who want an extra layer of protection against identity theft. But some users who received the IP ...
Views: 747 - How Parents can de-motivate Sexting in their Teens - by Submitted on Apr 07, 2016 from Robert SicilianoWhatever the appeal of sexting is to kids (attention), it’s definitely there, and won’t be going away too soon. Of all the things that teens can do in their daily lives, why spend time sexting? To feel cool To get a crush’s attention To make a relationship seem more ...
Views: 1025 - Change Passwords or not; that is the Question - by Submitted on Apr 06, 2016 from Robert SicilianoWe’re told to change our passwords often to minimize getting hacked. Now we’re told this is a bad thing. But not for any inherent techy reason. It’s because frequent password changing makes many people lower their guard when it comes to creating new passwords. They get lax ...
Views: 1089 - Bitdefender's BOX: All-in-one Cybersecurity from one App - by Submitted on Mar 29, 2016 from Robert SicilianoGee, if your home is connected to lots of different devices, doesn’t it make sense that your cybersecurity integrates all your connected devices? Meet the Bitdefender BOX, a network bulletproofing hardware cybersecurity tool for the home that embraces smart home protection focusing on the ...
Views: 1074 - Xfinity Home Security Flawed - by Submitted on Mar 23, 2016 from Robert SicilianoBad news for users of the Xfinity home security system: It can report locked doors and windows that have been bypassed by an intruder and miss an intruder’s movements, says an article on wired.com. The intruder circumvents the system by using a radio jammer to block the 2.4 GHz ...
Views: 1047 - Protect Yourself from Phishing - by Submitted on Mar 22, 2016 from Robert SicilianoEveryone has received very obvious “phishing” e-mails: Messages in your in-box that have outrageous subject lines like “Your Account Will Be Suspended,” or, “You Won!” While some phishing attacks are obvious, others look harmless, such as those in a ...
Views: 760 - Three ways to beef up security when backing up to the cloud - by Submitted on Mar 21, 2016 from Robert SicilianoDisasters happen every day. Crashing hard drives, failing storage devices and even burglaries could have a significant negative impact on your business, especially if that data is lost forever. You can avoid these problems by backing up your data. Backing up means keeping copies of your ...
Views: 802 - Set up Family's Controls on Home Computers - by Submitted on Mar 19, 2016 from Robert SicilianoThe computers in your household should have controls on them for security—even if you don’t have children living with you. Chrome OS On the Chrome browser in the upper right are three horizontal lines; click this symbol. Click “Add supervised user.” Enter the name ...
Views: 765 - Protect Yourself from Online Dating Scams - by Submitted on Mar 18, 2016 from Robert Siciliano$200 million: The amount people were ripped off by online dating scams in a year. DUI: dating while under the influence…of the quest for love…is costly to countless people. A nytimes.com article notes that this quest impairs judgment, making it easy for con artists to bilk ...
Views: 773 - Prevent Child Identity Theft - by Submitted on Mar 17, 2016 from Robert SicilianoHere’s one for the know-it-alls: Kids are 35 percent more likely to become victims of identity theft than are adults. Betcha didn’t know that! This startling news comes from a 2015 Javelin Strategy & Release study. Needless to say, the bulk of parents aren’t on top ...
Views: 790 - Products to keep Kids safe online - by Submitted on Mar 16, 2016 from Robert SicilianoSome people believe that monitoring your kids’ online activities crosses the line of privacy or trust. But monitoring and controlling online activities is, essentially, no different than controlling access to the cookie jar or TV or even locking a liquor cabinet. Which brings me to a ...
Views: 822 - Identity Theft on the rise affecting over 13 Million - by Submitted on Mar 14, 2016 from Robert Siciliano13.1 million people were stricken by identity theft last year in America, reports a study by Javelin Strategy & Research which reveals: Many people who don’t trust their banks are unwittingly doing things that make crime easier for crooks. This includes not using the bank’s ...
Views: 764 - Ransomware as a Service: A new threat to businesses everywhere - by Submitted on Mar 13, 2016 from Robert SicilianoCyber criminals have been attempting to extort money from individuals and companies for many years, and the latest attempt to take advantage of others is by using Ransomware as a Service, or RaaS. A ransomware virus infects a computer when a user clicks a link and unknowingly download a ...
Views: 759 - Most Locks are stupid easy to pick - by Submitted on Mar 10, 2016 from Robert SicilianoI hate to say this, but…any dummy can learn to pick a lock. This means that the locks on your house’s doors are probably very “pickable” unless you have a top-flight lock system—which few homes actually have. An article on lifehacker.com describes how easy it ...
Views: 868 - How to prevent IRS scams - by Submitted on Mar 09, 2016 from Robert SicilianoOnce a thief knows your Social Security number…you’re at very high risk for having your identity stolen. A report on bankrate.com says that the IRS is warning of a cyber attack on its electronic filing PIN application. Thieves infiltrated it with malware in an attempt to claim ...
Views: 843 - How to freeze your Child's Credit - by Submitted on Mar 08, 2016 from Robert SicilianoIdentity thieves are after children’s Social Security numbers. With this number, a thief can do so many things like open a credit card account and rent an apartment. Kids’ SSNs have great appeal to crooks because: A child’s record is usually very clean. This means fertile ...
Views: 876 - How to protect your network from malicious insiders - by Submitted on Mar 07, 2016 from Robert SicilianoYou may be putting your company at risk simply by hiring a new employee. Why? Because that person could have a hidden, malicious agenda. This is known as an inside threat, and it means that someone within your organization is planning or conducting activities meant to harm the company. There ...
Views: 784 - Location Apps make it easy for Thieves - by Submitted on Mar 05, 2016 from Robert SicilianoIf you’re using the app Strava for example, your bike could get stolen, says a report on the manchestereveningnews site. Strava, like many other location apps, isn’t the badguy here. Bicyclists in Greater Manchester are being warned that Strava’s tracking could lead thieves ...
Views: 759 - How long does Information stay on Credit Reports? - by Submitted on Mar 04, 2016 from Robert SicilianoIf you are concerned how long any negative information will remain on your credit report, it takes seven years from the Date of the Last Activity (DLA) before the item is deleted from your records (and seven to 10 years for bankruptcies). This is a very common question posed to credit ...
Views: 813 - Beware of Amazon's scary Customer Service Hack - by Submitted on Mar 03, 2016 from Robert SicilianoDo you shop at Amazon.com? Are you aware they have a back door through which hackers can slip in? Let’s look at Eric’s experience with hackers and Amazon, as he recounts at medium.com/@espringe. He received an e-mail from Amazon and contacted them to see what it was about. ...
Views: 969 - Popular Passwords make it easy to hack You - by Submitted on Mar 02, 2016 from Robert SicilianoYour account passwords should be as unique as your fingerprint—to make them less hackable by crooks using password-guessing software that can run through millions of possible combinations in just minutes. And if you have an easy password, there may be a hit within 10 seconds. Think ...
Views: 768 - Bank Tellers stealing Identities - by Submitted on Mar 01, 2016 from Robert SicilianoEver consider the possibility that a person gets a job as a bank teller…for the sole purpose of stealing a patron’s identity? Do you realize how easy this would be? No techy hacking skills required. No gun required. So we’ve all been instilled with fear of our bank ...
Views: 837 - Businesses struggling to keep up with latest wave of malware attacks - by Submitted on Feb 29, 2016 from Robert SicilianoCompanies have been struggling for years to keep cyber-attacks at bay. Cyberthieves are working faster than ever before to send out their malicious attacks, and it’s become increasingly difficult for companies to keep up. CNN reports that almost one million malware strains are ...
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