Robert Siciliano » Blog

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

LARGEST HOME SECURITY REVIEW SITE REACHES 100 COMPANY MILESTONE

"No other home security review website is doing what we are doing," Robert Siciliano, security expert and Director of Reviews, said. "We are researching and reviewing as many companies as we can and providing subjective reviews to consumers without charging them anything."

http://world.einnews.com/247pr/358833

Will Obamacare Lead to Identity Theft?

The fear mongers and Obamacare haters make a scary point and want you to know that as soon as the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act goes live, your identity will be at risk and, more than likely, stolen. Forbes reports in regard to what's called the Obamacare-mandated "data hub" in which personal records are exchanged among seven different agencies--the Internal Revenue Service, the Social Security Administration, the Department of Homeland Security, the Veterans Health Administration, the Department of Defense, the Office of Personnel Management and the Peace Corps."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/robert-siciliano/will-obamacare-lead-to-id_b_3828981.html

10 Ways to Protect Your Twitter Account From Getting Hacked

Recent news of Twitter accounts being hacked has slowed a bit, partly due to Twitter implementing two-factor authentication. When you sign in to Twitter.com, there's an option in "Settings" under "Account security" for a second check to require a verification code to make sure it's really you.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/robert-siciliano/10-ways-to-protect-your-t_b_3804531.html

Mounties Instrumental in Busting International Money Scam

EW YORK (MainStreet)—The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) arrested six men, August 13, in New York, Arizona, New Jersey, Florida and California for engaging in an international fraud conspiracy

http://www.mainstreet.com/article/smart-spending/mounties-instrumental-busting-international-money-scam

Monday, August 26, 2013

McAfee Study Shows Kids Cheating With Mobiles

According to McAfee's 2013 Digital Deception: Exploring the Online Disconnect between Parents and Kids study, children are witnessing bullying online in great numbers and parents are not fully aware of the issues.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FFip2C-d-m8&feature=share&list=UUxPUhCstuAW8GJR826pamYA

Beware This Vulnerability in Cyber Pickpocketing

Siciliano, the McAfee cyber security expert, said that there are a number of ways mobile wallets are compromised.Siciliano, the McAfee cyber security expert, said that there are a number of ways mobile wallets are compromised.

http://www.mainstreet.com/article/smart-spending/technology/beware-vulnerability-cyber-pickpocketing?page=3

The Evolution of School Cheating

Sunday, August 25, 2013

Cheating at School Growing Thanks to Internet

“Unfortunately more than half of all 13-to-23-year-olds surveyed admitted to looking up the answers to a test or an assignment online, only 17 percent of parents believe that their child has done so,” said Robert Siciliano, a McAfee online security.

http://nj1015.com/cheating-at-school-growing-thanks-to-internet-audio/

Moto X Skip Rethinks Phone Passwords, Speeding Log In

We look at our smartphone's screen over a hundred times a day, some reports say. Motorola has discovered that the average smartphone user unlocks their phone 39 times a day through the rather annoying process of inputting a PIN or password.

http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/motorolas-moto-skip-rethinks-phone-passwords-speeding-log/story?id=19981941

Friday, August 23, 2013

FBI Investigating ‘Sextortion’ Case Involving Miss Teen USA Cassidy Wolf

The FBI confirmed today it is investigating a months-old extortion case involving the newly-crowned Miss Teen USA, Cassidy Wolf, and photos.

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2013/08/fbi-investigating-sextortion-case-involving-miss-teen-usa-cassidy-wolf/#disqus_thread

Beware This Vulnerability in Cyber Pickpocketing

NEW YORK (MainStreet)—It used to be the stuff of science fiction and Dick Tracy comic strips. But fiction became fact and Mobile Personal Communication Devices (MPCDs) are commonplace. Now they are used for more than mere conversation. Mobile financial transactions are routine. They are even beginning to replace wallets.

http://business-news.thestreet.com/philly/story/beware-vulnerability-cyber-pickpocketing/1

Top Security Techniques That Work For The Masters

Banks have multiple layers of security. The perimeter of most banks are often designed to include large windows, so passersby and law enforcement can easily see any problems occurring inside.

https://www.openforum.com/articles/top-security-techniques-that-work-for-the-masters/

Thursday, August 22, 2013

FBI Investigating 'Sextortion' Case Involving Miss Teen USA Cassidy Wolf

The FBI confirmed today it is investigating a months-old extortion case involving the newly-crowned Miss Teen USA, Cassidy Wolf, and photos.

http://gma.yahoo.com/blogs/abc-blogs/fbi-investigating-sextortion-case-involving-miss-teen-usa-224656292.html

Think Twice Before You Save Passwords in Your Chrome Browser

It might be convenient to save your Facebook or e-mail password in your Chrome browser so you don't have to repeatedly type it in, but you might want to think twice before you use that setting.

http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/save-passwords-chrome-browser/story?id=19908237

Criminals Can Steal Your Life Savings in Minutes – Keeping Online Banking Safe - See more at: http://hacksurfer.com/amplifications/184-criminals-can-steal-your-life-savings-in-minutes-8211-keeping-online-banking-safe#sthash.HvqEru1p.dpuf

How many passwords do you have memorized? Maybe somewhere in your head there’s the four-digit code for the alarm system in your home, as well as the password that unlocks your work email address and the code to crack into your mobile phone.

http://hacksurfer.com/amplifications/184-criminals-can-steal-your-life-savings-in-minutes-8211-keeping-online-banking-safe

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Back-to-school identity theft a threat to students

Classes, books and dirty looks aren't the only potential problems students face when heading back to school. In the flurry of getting kids enrolled, filling out forms and moving into dorms, it's easy for a student's Social Security number to fall into the wrong hands.

http://news.msn.com/us/back-to-school-identity-theft-a-threat-to-students

Grand Theft Hushmoney

When we get to the most meaningful part of the conversation, the line goes dead.

http://www.popmatters.com/pm/feature/174489-grand-theft-hushmoney/

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

When Employees Aren't Who They Claim to Be

It's way too easy for anyone to pretend to be someone else. When hiring, make sure you use identity proofing measures so you don't get scammed.

https://www.openforum.com/articles/when-employees-arent-who-they-claim-to-be/

Saturday, August 17, 2013

Before You Share, Ask Yourself "Is This TMI?"

Social networks and new online services make it easy to share the details of our lives, perhaps too easily. With just a few clicks, posts and messages, you can give away enough personal information to compromise your privacy and even open yourself up to identity theft.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/robert-siciliano/before-you-share-ask-your_b_3762818.html

Skinny-dipping Wife Used in Distraction Burglary

If you ever decide to break into someone’s home, you might want to think about sending your wife in ahead of time to get naked in the homeowner’s pool. The ploy seems to have worked for a spell in Tennessee, where a former cop sat for 20 minutes and watched the woman frolic about.

http://besthomesecuritycompanys.com/2013/skinny-dipping-wife-used-in-distraction-burglary

15 Things Burglars Want You To Do

Often, the best way to understand something, anything or anyone is to think like it or him. For example, if you want to keep your dog from escaping your yard, you might want to get inside your dog’s head—even in the yard—and look at the world from the pup’s perspective

http://besthomesecuritycompanys.com/2013/15-things-burglars-want-you-to-do

Thursday, August 15, 2013

Passwords in Chrome Browser Unprotected

It might be convenient to save your Facebook or e-mail password in your Chrome browser so you don't have to repeatedly type it in, but you might want to think twice before you use that setting.

http://gma.yahoo.com/passwords-chrome-browser-unprotected-205038254--abc-news-topstories.html

Beware This Vulnerability in Cyber Pickpocketing

NEW YORK (MainStreet)—It used to be the stuff of science fiction and Dick Tracy comic strips. But fiction became fact and Mobile Personal Communication Devices (MPCDs) are commonplace. Now they are used for more than mere conversation. Mobile financial transactions are routine. They are even beginning to replace wallets.

http://www.mainstreet.com/print/28990

5 tips to protect yourself from phishing

Most people are aware of spamming, but a lot of people aren’t so familiar with spam’s far more destructive cousin, phishing.

http://blog.commbank.com.au/your-money/5-tips-to-protect-yourself-from-phishing/

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

How the Government (and Bad Guys) Intercept Electronic Data

The news of the NSA spying using PRISM should not come as a surprise to anyone in the intelligence community. Electronic spying is as normal as breathing. And when a 27-year-old American traitor with little life experience (he was 15 when 9/11 hit) blows the lid off of a current spy program, it's time to define why and what needs protecting.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/robert-siciliano/how-the-government-and-ba_b_3725676.html

Security is High On CEO’s Expense Report

If you are the CEO of a company, then you make big decisions and hold some weight as to the direction of that company and how it will profit year after year.

http://besthomesecuritycompanys.com/2013/security-is-high-on-ceos-expense-report

Ethical Hacker Barnaby Jack Passes Before Revealing Pacemaker

Ethical Hacker Barnaby Jack Passes Before Revealing Pacemaker

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjnnB_pJzHU&feature=share&list=UUxPUhCstuAW8GJR826pamYA

Sunday, August 11, 2013

4 ways to protect teens from ID theft

Scammers seek out teens because teens have clean records and no established credit reports. Teens are also avid social network and Internet users, where personal data are more readily available. Read more: http://www.bankrate.com/finance/personal-finance/protect-teens-from-id-theft-1.aspx#ixzz2beS2KkcG Follow us: @Bankrate on Twitter | Bankrate on Facebook

http://www.bankrate.com/finance/personal-finance/protect-teens-from-id-theft-1.aspx

TVs to toilets: What will hackers target next?

They've infiltrated your car, your living room, your toilet — perhaps even your heart. In an ever-connected world, is there anything not vulnerable to a hacker attack?

http://news.msn.com/science-technology/tvs-to-toilets-what-will-hackers-target-next

How to Keep Your Smartphone or Tablet Secure

Saturday, August 10, 2013

Burglar Apprehended By Homeowner, Hogtied

Picture this: It’s 6:00 a.m. You’re getting ready for work, having your morning coffee, when you hear glass breaking near your daughter’s bedroom. You quickly head over to investigate and see a crackhead breaking into your garage.

http://besthomesecuritycompanys.com/2013/burglar-apprehended-by-homeowner-hogtied

What is a Keylogger?

Whether it is called a keylogger, spyware or monitoring software, it can be the equivalent of digital surveillance, revealing every click and touch, every download and conversation.

http://blogs.mcafee.com/consumer/what-is-a-keylogger

Cheating and Bullying: It’s a Bigger Problem than You Think!

The whole purpose of your “youth” is to grow and learn. It’s time to take in lots of information, so ultimately they can evolve, accomplish, and get ahead. However the pressure to grow and climb the ladder of life often leads to unwanted behaviors and actions that lead to significant negative consequences.

http://blogs.mcafee.com/consumer/back-to-school

Friday, August 09, 2013

Home Security Tips Even Know-it-alls Don't Know

Home Security Tips Even Know-it-alls Don't Know

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKm7gls1KlU&feature=youtu.be

Cops Say: 'Check Your Locks'

Burglaries happen everywhere. But sometimes, in some places, due to numerous reasons, burglaries become more frequent and sometimes by a lot.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/robert-siciliano/cops-say-check-your-locks_b_3690710.html

First Kiss, First Love, First Credit Card

Yeah, all three are in the same category. I remember them vividly, and they all went to pot because I wasn’t ready for them, they weren’t ready for me, or they simply weren’t the right fit.

https://www.billguard.com/blog/2013/07/first-kiss-first-love-first-credit-card/

Wednesday, August 07, 2013

Can A Pacemaker Be Hacked?

In the hit drama Homeland, a terrorist kills the vice president by hacking into his pacemaker, causing a fatal heart attack. But that plotline may not be far fetched.

http://www.insideedition.com/headlines/6768-can-a-pacemaker-be-hacked

$14B in bogus credit

Call it the “graying” of America, and it has nothing to do with baby boomers. Instead, it’s the $14 billion credit card holders are losing each year to “gray,” or deceptive, credit- or debit-card charges, according to a new study by industry consultant Aite Group.

http://www.nypost.com/p/news/business/in_bogus_credit_OLYoPuIbUWmN58HAWzcNJM

How to avoid 'gray charges' on credit card bills

A multibillion-dollar business has grown up around "gray charges" - extra credit card charges for products and services consumers never wanted or meant to sign up for. Some experts say these charges are deceptive and misleading, if not illegal.

http://www.nbcnews.com/id/52612529/ns/business-personal_finance/t/how-avoid-gray-charges-credit-card-bills/#.Ufqc85Im3KA

Tuesday, August 06, 2013

4 ways to protect your teen from identity theft

Scammers seek out teens because teens have clean records and no established credit reports. Teens are also avid social network and Internet users, where personal data are more readily available.

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/4-ways-protect-teen-identity-100000464.html

How to avoid ‘gray charges’ on credit card bills

A multibillion-dollar business has grown up around “gray charges” - extra credit card charges for products and services consumers never wanted or meant to sign up for. Some experts say these charges are deceptive and misleading, if not illegal.

http://www.saultstar.com/2013/07/26/how-to-avoid-gray-charges-on-credit-card-bills

Saturday, August 03, 2013

UD hack victims scramble for help after computer breach

Criminals can do a lot of damage with your name, address and Social Security number – open a credit card, for example, or sign up for cellphone service.

http://www.delawareonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2013308010046

Wait! Do These Three Things Before Selling Your Smartphone

You just found out your old smartphone has more value than you ever thought possible and now you can’t wait to turn it into cash by selling it or trading it in toward a new phone.

http://blogs.wsj.com/digits/2013/07/30/wait-do-these-three-things-before-selling-your-smartphone

How to avoid ‘gray charges’ on credit card bills

A multibillion-dollar business has grown up around “gray charges” - extra credit card charges for products and services consumers never wanted or meant to sign up for. Some experts say these charges are deceptive and misleading, if not illegal.

http://www.calgarysun.com/2013/07/26/how-to-avoid-gray-charges-on-credit-card-bills

Thursday, August 01, 2013

How to avoid 'gray charges' on credit card bills

A multibillion-dollar business has grown up around "gray charges" - extra credit card charges for products and services consumers never wanted or meant to sign up for. Some experts say these charges are deceptive and misleading, if not illegal.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/07/29/us-credit-graycharges-advice-idUSBRE96S0RL20130729

Husband won't stop charging on joint card

If anyone would know about how to be notified anytime someone uses a card, it would be McAfee Online Security Expert Robert Siciliano. He says, "If I had the ability to get a text on my cards I'd be doing it." Unfortunately, he's unaware of cards that send a text with each charge.

http://www.creditcards.com/credit-card-news/how-to-stop-husband-from-charging-on-joint-credit-card-1294.php

Husband Won't Stop Charging on Joint Card

If anyone would know about how to be notified anytime someone uses a card, it would be McAfee Online Security Expert Robert Siciliano. He says, "If I had the ability to get a text on my cards I'd be doing it." Unfortunately, he's unaware of cards that send a text with each charge. Read more: http://www.foxbusiness.com/personal-finance/2013/07/26/husband-wont-stop-charging-on-joint-card/#ixzz2alTWnyfs

http://www.foxbusiness.com/personal-finance/2013/07/26/husband-wont-stop-charging-on-joint-card/