Top Cybersecurity Tips for Seniors

October 13, 2020 Pete Cavicchia

We live in a world where it is impossible to avoid technology. Everyone is digitally connected through everything from phones to connected “smart home” devices like Amazon’s Alexa. This is increasingly the reality for older adults. About 42 percent of adults 65 and older owns smartphones, according to a 2017 survey from the Pew Research Center. As adoption of modern technology increases among older adults, so, too, does the threat of cybercrime inflicted on seniors.

CNBC reports that online cybercriminals target older people at high rates. Why? They usually are wealthier than the average American adult, more trusting and less likely to report fraud. They cite a 2015 report that U.S. adults in this older demographic lose a sky high $36.5 billion each year to financial crimes and scams.

What can older people do to protect themselves and ensure they are vigilant about their cybersecurity? The U.S. Department of Homeland Security offers some clear-cut recommendations. For one, they suggest that you avoid any online banking or transmitting sensitive information over public Wi-Fi or a kiosk at a library, for instance. Also avoid clicking on any strange links from unknown websites or emails that might be asking for your financial information. When it comes to seeking medical advice online, they prompt older Americans to consider the source. If it’s from an educational or government website, or an official pharmaceutical company page, then you’re good to go. When shopping online, look for the padlock icon at the bottom of the browser, which indicates the site is protected by security software.

For its part, CNBC stresses that there are some key recommendations older Internet users need to take to heart when protecting themselves online:

Password needs to be strong: Make sure you craft an original password that wouldn’t be guessed easily by a third party. They should ideally be 12 to 15 characters with a combination of special characters, numerals, and symbols. They should also be site-specific. Don’t use the same one for every website.
Update antivirus software: Make sure you keep your antivirus software up to date. This applies to your computer, tablet, or smartphone.
Use vetted Wi-Fi: Again, avoid public Wi-Fi signals from libraries, parks, or public transportation. If you’re at a coffee shop, make sure you verify with the business that you are signing on to the correct signal and using the appropriate password.
Protect personal information: No matter what, do not give an unknown party your personal information. This applies to telemarketer phone calls as much as it does to unknown emails or websites.

Public Transportation Safety and Security: Protecting Yourself and Others

October 5, 2020 Pete Cavicchia

As we enter October, it is safe to say that 2020 has been a year full of unexpected challenges. That puts it mildly. The COVID-19 pandemic reoriented how we behave in our daily lives, forcing us to reconsider our personal security and what we do to keep others safe.

Among other things, this impacted how we travel. It’s been well reported that public transportation has suffered as less people opt to ride buses and trains, sheltering in place at home or looking for alternate ways to get from point A to point B.

That being said, across the country, local transit authorities have gone to great lengths to not only ensure adherence to public health protocols like wearing masks and disinfecting trains and buses, but they have even been limiting the capacity of travelers per vehicle. In most cases, they’ve been marking seating clearly with directional signs to ensure riders practice social distancing.

The Scientific American reports that little evidence exists to show public transportation poses an increased risk for contracting the coronavirus, largely due to all of these measures that have been put in place.

What can you do to ensure your own security and protect the health and well-being of others around you? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that those who use public transportation need to practice proper hygiene — wash your hands — wear a mask, sit away from others, and if you are feeling sick, look out for your fellow travelers by staying home.

Beyond COVID-19, you should also be wary of normal, pre-pandemic travel concerns when riding a subway or a public bus. These common sense concerns should especially be at the front of college students’ minds, particularly freshman who might be traveling and living away from home for the first time this fall. Loyola University Chicago provides some key tips. They include:

Sit near the bus driver if possible.
Chose an aisle seat so you can get up and leave quickly if a problem arises.
When waiting for transportation, choose a well-lit space so you aren’t waiting alone in the dark, particularly at night.
Don’t fall asleep while traveling — be vigilant.

Essentially, the pandemic has made us more cognizant of public safety when on our commutes. While a difficult time, this is a positive thing — it emphasizes that people need to act in the greater good to keep themselves and others safe.

Just How Safe is Cloud Computing?

September 29, 2020 Pete Cavicchia

It’s now been a big part of our lives for the past decade or so, but what exactly is “the cloud?” It’s a method of storing data that isn’t tied to a physical hard drive. Instead, it operates and exists solely on the Internet.

From the iCloud to Google Cloud, it is a ubiquitous way we store information, hold onto precious data, and share documents and photos between our devices with ease.

While it is common, BBC News reports that only 10 percent of the world’s data is stored remotely through cloud computing. Think of it as a way that businesses and individuals can store their information at a relatively affordable rate. You don’t need to have a computer science degree to know how to use it most effectively. Hence, this ease of use is a big part of cloud computing’s appeal.

For those who are accustomed to the cloud or for those who have yet to try it, security is obviously a top issue. How safe is it? The BBC interviewed Gavan Egan, managing director of cloud and IT solutions for Verizon, who offered a few words of wisdom:

“The biggest risk is giving up control of your data to someone else using different data centers in remote places,” Egan said. "What happens in the event of a disaster? You're also putting your data next to someone else’s."

There is the risk that a problem with your cloud system, or a mistake you make, could see your data wiped away, stolen by others, even corrupted by cybercriminals.

ISG Technology outlined why cloud computing is safe. They said as more and more businesses have been abandoning unwieldy and expensive servers for cloud-based systems for file storage, cloud computing companies have become increasingly vigilant about safety.

They cite a Forbes article that highlights three key ways the cloud is safe.

Three key ways the cloud is safe

For one, cloud services usually store at least three copies of each piece of your data in different locations. To lose your data permanently, all of these copies would have to be erased at once, which is unlikely to happen. Additionally, increasingly more sophisticated security protocols — think passwords, two-factor authentication, etc. — mean that you and you alone have access to this data. If you are stringent with other aspects of your personal cybersecurity, such as online banking and email use, then you should be the same way with your cloud computing habits. Safe sharing features also ensure that you have control over who sees your information. You make the final call as to who can access what when and if those links expire permanently.

If you’re still on the fence about cloud computing, security giant Norton puts it in simple terms — you have more to worry about with your email account:

“The data that you save with cloud service providers may likely be safer than the information you've stored in your computer's hard drive. Remember, hackers can use malware and phishing emails to get the information stored on your own devices. They might freeze your computer, demanding a ransom before they'll release the files and data they've frozen,” Norton writes.

Cybersecurity Tips for Video Conferencing

July 7, 2020 Pete Cavicchia

From Zoom to Skype to FaceTime — video conferencing has increasingly become the norm for professional and personal contacts during COVID-19. While everyone has been sheltering at home, these video platforms provide an accessible way to stay connected with coworkers from the office and relatives alike. Of course, it hasn’t been purely stress free to embrace this video-centric world. A report from CNBC highlighted the psychological concern of video conferencing fatigue.

Beyond the mental toll staring at a screen for hours on end might be having on all of us, there are some serious cybersecurity concerns posed by video conferencing.

A blog post from Palo Alto Networks discusses some of the different kinds of threats you might face through video conferencing. One example is “meeting bombing,” when an uninvited guest joins a video call for the sole purpose of listening to or disrupting the conversation. A disruption could be in the form of sharing inappropriate or compromising media content or links. Malicious links are serious because they can lead to malware that could infect your computer.

Washington Technology Solutions suggests that when using a platform like Zoom, for instance, be sure to only record the video call if you plan to use or review that content later. Don’t automatically record your meetings. If you initiate a call, set it as a “private meeting” that requires a password login. This could also involve sending an email invite, making sure only people with the private link can access the call. Another commonsense recommendation is limiting screen sharing to “Host Only” — you, the host, has control over how the video is shared. If there is an unwanted participant in your call you can “uninvite” guests. You can then block them from reentering the call.

BDO Digital outlines their own suggestions. They suggest you check that your software is updated. Why? Cyber criminals are more likely to use older versions of the video conferencing app or platform. With that in mind, you should also check in with your guests to make sure they are all using the most up-to-date version of the software. Once the meeting starts, you should also be sure to lock your meeting and proceed once you know it is private and secure.

In short, while video conferencing has become a necessary part of daily life, be sure to engage in calls that put cybersecurity front and center. This protects not just your own privacy but that of the people you are keeping in touch with, screen-to-screen.

Key Tips for Staying Safe When Online Banking

June 19, 2020 Pete Cavicchia

Online banking has increasingly become the norm. Last year, Business Insider reported that about 30 percent of the U.S. population had an online-only bank account. Even more striking, a 2019 American Bankers Association survey found that 73 percent of all Americans access their bank accounts either through a website or on a mobile device. This shift from brick-and-mortar to digital has only increased in popularity during the recent COVID-19 crisis, with shelter-at-home orders making physical trips to the local bank less feasible and safe.

While online banking presents an accessible way to carry out your financial transactions, there are some cybersecurity risks involved. If unsecured, it can leave your most private financial information vulnerable to hackers.

“Having your bank account hacked or your personal and financial information stolen can create innumerable headaches,” writes Forbes contributor Rebecca Lake. “Money could be drained from your account via fraudulent wire transfers, for example. Or an identity thief could leverage your information to open credit cards in your name and treat themselves to a shopping spree.”

What are the top ways to ensure you bank safely online? First, Lake suggests that you choose a strong password. This may seem like common sense advice, but many people tend to opt for something convenient, without necessarily thinking of privacy risks. Many place easily identifying information, like names or dates of birth, in their passwords, while sticking to common phrases or easy-to-guess number combinations (think, “123”). Instead, go for longer passwords that mix upper and lowercase letters, numbers and special characters. Avoid identifying personal information and make sure you don’t store your login on your mobile banking app.

Another key recommendation is two-factor authentication. This means adding a second step to your login process. You’ll enter your login and password as usual but then there’ll be another step, like passing a security test, before you can enter your account. This could be a simple verification code sent to you via text message, for instance.

Public Wi-Fi is another hacking culprit. The easiest way to avoid getting your banking data stolen while using an unsecured wireless connection is to just refrain from logging on in a public network. Wait until you get home. If you need to access your banking information while in public, you can disable public file sharing and adhere to using websites that are encrypted. How do you know? Look for “https” in the URL. Setting up your own VPN on your device is another option.

Banking alerts sent to you about all of your banking transactions is a great way to know if any suspicious activity is going on. Also, avoid phishing scams. If an unfamiliar email reaches your inbox asking for private banking information, delete it.

What Is Ransomware and How to Protect Yourself From It?

June 5, 2020 Pete Cavicchia

In late May, Microsoft issued an advisory warning for companies and organizations worldwide — protect against a strain of ransomware called PonyFinal. It’s been out there for about two months now, ZDNet reports.

First of all, what is ransomware? It’s malware created to deny access to a computer system or data until a person or company pays a ransom for it. Usually, your system will be infected by way of a phishing email or by visiting a compromised website, according to the United States Department of Homeland Security.

The DHS says this can inflict a devastating blow to a person or their company. Usually, people who have particularly sensitive data stored — such as people in government agencies, healthcare or the financial sector — are the main targets. It can be hard to get this data back, requiring the help of a data recovery
service and the payment of that ransom, which could amount to a hefty sum.

PonyFinal was slightly different from the typical ransomware — it’s what’s known as “human-operated ransomware,” which means hackers directly infiltrate the networks and place the malicious software themselves rather than resort to phishing emails, for instance, according to ZDNet.

If you are a business owner or oversee an agency that’s responsible for sensitive data, you should train those who work for you on best practices to deal with this kind of cybercrime. The DHS suggests that you take these
essential protocols:

Update software: Make sure your devices and computer systems are up-to-date with the latest patches to protect from hacks and viruses.
Screen your emails: Don’t open links or attachments from unsolicited emails in your Inbox.
Back it up: Backup your data on a regular basis. Keep it on a separate drive and store it offline, not the cloud.
Restrict access: Restrict user permissions to install and run software on any of your systems.
Put on the spam filters: Use strong spam filters for your emails to block phishing emails.
Scan your emails: Please scan all of your incoming and outgoing emails in order to pinpoint threats.
Firewalls: Put firewalls in place to block access to malicious IP addresses.

For their full list of recommendations, go here.

How to Stay Safe Online During COVID-19

May 18, 2020 Pete Cavicchia

As soon as the COVID-19 pandemic hit, it turned everyday life completely on its head. From stay-at-home-orders to increasing demands being placed on healthcare workers, it has been a difficult time. It’s also made taking care of one’s health a top priority. Now, another threat brought about by this coronavirus outbreak comes in the form of online phishing scams. It means that beyond being vigilant about your physical health, you need to now focus on protecting your digital safety and privacy.

An April report from the Verge reveals that Google saw more than 18 million daily malware and email phishing scams tied to COVID-19. The tech giant says this is in addition to the 240 million spam messages per day people have been receiving since the outbreak emerged. What do they look like? The scams often impersonate official messages from government organizations like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO).

Protect yourself from this cybercrime

The CDC reports that people have been receiving phone calls and voicemails that look like they are coming from them. Many ask for donations. They say that cyber criminals are sending phishing emails with malware-containing links that can steal your private information and seize control of healthcare IT systems. How are these criminals able to pull this off? Apps and free websites make it relatively easy to make it look like you’re getting a call or an email directly from the CDC.

The CDC lays out some recommendations to protect yourself from this cybercrime:

Don’t open the email. If you don’t recognize the address the message is from, don’t open it or any associate attachments.
Avoid links. Don’t click on a link from any suspicious email. If the address looks legitimate, consider re-typing it in a browser window just in case.
Hold onto your data. Don’t send anyone your personal information or passwords.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security suggests that you should always be wary of strange emails that place a time limit over your head. If you’re told you have 24 hours to respond, ignore it. “Criminals often threaten you with fines or other negative consequences,” the DHS writes.

They also suggest that you should be cautious on how a particular email might make you feel — trust your gut. If you feel panic, fear, or an unusual level of curiosity based on the language included from an unfamiliar sender, practice caution.