my IT security thoughts, suggestions, and miscellaneous info
Many people mistakenly believe they are not a target for cyber attackers: that they, their systems, or accounts do not have any value. This could not be further from the truth. If you use technology in anyway, at work or at home, trust us – you have value to the bad guys. But, you are …
Password hacks are becoming more common as people’s online accounts contain more sensitive personal data. Even big, trusted sites are suffering password breaches in the recently. And because most people reuse their passwords, it becomes more likely that a password hacked on one site can open accounts on other sites. Here are some tips to …
We all want the best for our children, including the ability to leverage technology. However, with technology come risks, risks that our children are often not aware of or prepared to deal with. As parents, it is our responsibility to ensure our children understand these risks and how to protect themselves. But this can be …
While handheld devices such as smartphones and tablets provide new ways for us to leverage technology, computers are often still the primary tool we use for our professional and personal lives. As a result, your computer, whether at work or at home, still remains a primary target for cyber criminals. By following these simple steps, …
At the heart of many cyber attacks are criminals attempting to fool you out of your money or trick you into giving them your personal information. Common examples of this are fraudulent e-mails, called phishing, that pretend to come from a person or company you trust, such as your friend or your bank. While such …
A posting to Pastebin, by a group that calls itself “Cyber Warrior Team from Iran”, claims to have breached a NASA website via a “Man in the Middle” attack. The announcement is a bit hard to read due to the broken English, but here is how the SANS Internet Storm Center parsed the post:
These days, kids are glued to their social media. Whether tweeting in junior high or updating their Facebook status on a smartphone from the high school cafeteria, the younger generation is in constant communication with their peers. That’s why addressing the issue of privacy on social media should be a priority of all parents. As …
Wi-Fi networks (sometimes called by their technical name 802.11) allow people to wirelessly connect devices to the Internet, such as smartphones, gaming consoles, tablets, and laptops. Because Wi-Fi networks are simple to setup, many people install their own Wi-Fi networks at home. However, many home Wi-Fi networks are configured insecurely, allowing strangers or unauthorized people …