The short answer is yes! You should be concerned. And even if you’re not concerned for yourself, with the Internet all of us are interconnected so cybercrime does not just affect one person or one group, but all of us.
http://blogs.mcafee.com/consumer/concerned-about-cybercrimeMonday, April 29, 2013
5 Signs You Are About to be Scammed
Smart people are scammed every day because they think it can’t happen to them or they just aren’t aware of the scams. And the scammers have gotten very good at disguising their scams, so it’s often hard to recognize them.
http://blogs.mcafee.com/consumer/5-signs-of-scamsWhat Should I Know about Mobile Cybercrime?
The Internet has dissolved the geographical boundaries and technological limitations that have constrained organized cybercrime in the past. We now live with cybercrime syndicates based in the US, Russia, Asia and all over the globe.
http://blogs.mcafee.com/consumer/mobile-cybercrimeSunday, April 28, 2013
How Protected is My Tablet on WiFi?
To understand how protected you are, you need to understand how unprotected free public wireless is. This has nothing to do with how secure Apple devices are compared to Android
http://robertsiciliano.com/blog/2013/04/23/how-protected-is-my-tablet-on-wifi/Church Burglar Busted, Held on $50K Bond
It doesn’t matter where, when or to whom—a burglar will go where there is easy access and easy money, or goods to be resold. One favorite target of criminals is houses of worship, which often have audio equipment and cash-filled collection boxes on hand.
http://robertsiciliano.com/blog/2013/04/23/church-burglar-busted-held-on-50k-bond/5 Ways to Browse the Web Privately
You’ve probably never even thought that “browsing the web privately” was something that you needed to take extra steps to do. Most people think all web surfing is relatively private and nobody is really paying any attention. Unfortunately, there are many people, particularly in the form of marketers and advertisers, who watch almost every website you visit and record almost every click.
http://robertsiciliano.com/blog/2013/04/19/5-ways-to-browse-the-web-privately/Twitter to Implement Two Step Authorization
Twitter needs to improve its security tools. The Associated Press was hacked and a false tweet caused the White House to explain, and the stock market to drop 150 points.
http://socialbarrel.com/twitter-to-implement-two-step-authorization-for-better-security-amidst-false-tweets-leading-to-national-security-threats/50762/Warning: Your small business may have already been hacked
For months, its customers' credit card data was quietly being harvested by cyber criminals in Eastern Europe. It wasn't until the store's payment processing company linked a series of fraudulent charges back to the family-owned business that Rorschach realized it had been hacked.
http://smallbusiness.yahoo.com/advisor/warning--your-small-business-may-have-already-been-hacked-183345805.htmlFriday, April 26, 2013
2-Step Cited as Twitter Security Fix
"Two factor is two ways of authenticating who you are," McAfee security expert Robert Siciliano explained to ABC New. "Two factor, generally, by definition is something you know and something that you have or you are."
http://news.yahoo.com/2-step-cited-twitter-security-fix-191944110--abc-news-topstories.htmlPersistent threats: Cyber crooks turn to ‘spear phishing’ to reel in targets
Robert Siciliano security consultant for McAfee
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/7b776364-a836-11e2-b031-00144feabdc0.html#axzz2RPWQ2etoThursday, April 25, 2013
Robert Siciliano Becomes Official Spokesperson of BestHomeSecurityCompanys.com
BestHomeSecurityCompanys.com (BHSC) recently reached an agreement with leading personal and home security expert Robert Siciliano in a deal that would grant BHSC exclusive articles, videos, media queries and other exclusive work from Robert Siciliano.
http://robertsiciliano.com/blog/2013/04/23/robert-siciliano-becomes-official-spokesperson-of-besthomesecuritycompanys-com/Twitter 2-Factor Authentication: What It Is and Why It Would Help National Security
It can be said in the length of a single tweet: When a 140-character message can lead to national security issues, Twitter itself needs better security tools.
http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/ap-twitter-hack-cited-proof-factor-authentication-desperately/story?id=19031526#.UXk2OLUm2SoWednesday, April 24, 2013
4 car insurance scams that should be on your radar screen
“Auto insurance scams are some of the most prevalent in the insurance industry, allowing fraudsters to easily obtain policies and take advantage of the ‘he said, she said’ blaming nature of auto accidents,” says Robert Siciliano, CEO of www.IDTheftSecurity.com, a fraud prevention and security company in Boston
http://www.insureme.com/auto-insurance/car_insurance-scamsthe cybercrime Why move to mobile devices
With the popularity of mobile phones, fixed phones as if disappearing in people's lives. In fact, the number of U.S. households rely entirely on mobile phones continue to grow.
http://security.zdnet.com.cn/security_zone/2013/0417/2155005.shtmlWhat you have to reveal at an accident scene
You've just been involved in a fender bender. Police are on the way. Meanwhile, what information do you have to exchange with the other driver?
http://www.insure.com/car-insurance/accident-scene-information.htmlSunday, April 21, 2013
Katie Couric 911 Calls Were Not Prank, But Caused by Bad Wiring
The series of early morning bogus 911 calls that sent police rushing to Katie Couric’s New York City apartment were the result of faulty wiring, not a prankster as was originally thought.
http://www.newsmax.com/TheWire/katie-couric-911-calls-prank-bad-wiring/2013/0%204/09/id/498553"Smishing"... A New ID Theft Scam
Identity theft expert and consultant Robert Siciliano says to be on the alert for text messages with links — they could be an ID theft scam known as smishing.
http://gigharbor.patch.com/blog_posts/smishing-a-new-id-theft-scam12 Rules You Should Ignore
Don't count on it. "There are tons of dead zones — even in big cities — where there is no reception at all," says personal security expert Robert Siciliano. If you do manage to call the cops, it'll still take 10 to 30 minutes for police to find you because you're not at a specific address.
http://www.cosmopolitan.com/print-this/12-Rules-You-Should-Completely-Ignore?page=allSaturday, April 20, 2013
4 tips to get the best mobile banking experience
Last year, 10 million more people signed up for mobile banking, according to Javelin Strategy and Research in Pleasanton, Calif., driven by soaring smartphone and tablet use. And, one-third of the U.S. population is now tapping into mobile banking, versus one-fifth in 2010.
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/4-tips-best-mobile-banking-070046381.html;_ylt=A2KJ2Ui0oG1RJz0AdPzQtDMD5 ways to get banned from Facebook
For users who struggle to spend more than a few hours away from Facebook, a lifetime ban from the social network might seem like a harsh measure
http://www.myfoxtwincities.com/story/18941691/five-ways-to-get-banned-from-facebookBetween me and my family was a bomb
“My family and I were within three to 500 yards of each of the blasts when they occurred, so between me and my family was a bomb,” Siciliano says.
http://current.com/shows/viewpoint/videos/between-me-and-my-family-was-a-bomb-boston-marathon-runner-robert-siciliano/Friday, April 19, 2013
Robert Siciliano Becomes Official Spokesperson of BestHomeSecurityCompanys.com
BestHomeSecurityCompanys.com (BHSC) recently reached an agreement with leading personal and home security expert Robert Siciliano in a deal that would grant BHSC exclusive articles, videos, media queries and other exclusive work from Robert Siciliano.
http://www.prweb.com/releases/2013/4/prweb10648243.htm2013 Boston Marathon: My Best Worst Day Ever
There were two loud bangs, and as I rounded the corner I saw the finish line through dissipating smoke.
http://www.onlywire.com/r/122356106Tuesday, April 16, 2013
What is a “Drive-By” Download?
Gone are the days when you had to click to “accept” a download or install a software update in order to become infected. Now, just opening a compromised web page could allow dangerous code to install on your device.
http://robertsiciliano.com/blog/2013/04/11/what-is-a-drive-by-download/10 Tips to Secure Online Banking
Online banking or mobile banking reduces expenses by allowing customers to review transactions, transfer funds, pay bills and check balances without having to walk into a bank branch or make phone calls to a bank’s customer service call center.
http://robertsiciliano.com/blog/2013/04/10/10-tips-to-secure-online-banking/Why are Cybercriminals Moving from PCs to Mobile Devices?
The number of households in the United States that rely solely on mobile phones continues to increase. As of July 2011, 31% of households had mobile phones and no landlines. Additionally, almost one in six households used mobile phones exclusively or almost exclusively, despite still having a landline.
http://robertsiciliano.com/blog/2013/04/09/why-are-cybercriminals-moving-from-pcs-to-mobile-devices/Saturday, April 13, 2013
Self-checking Your Online Identity
Googling yourself (or “egosurfing”) is formally known as vanity searching—the practice of searching for one’s own name, pseudonym or screen name on a popular search engine in order to review the results.
http://robertsiciliano.com/blog/2013/04/07/self-checking-your-online-identity/2013 SXSWi Security Trends in Technology
South by Southwest Interactive (SXSWi) is an incubator of cutting-edge technologies. The event, which takes place every March, features five days of compelling presentations from the brightest minds in emerging technology, scores of exciting networking events hosted by industry leaders, and an unbeatable lineup of special programs showcasing the best new websites, video games and startup ideas the community has to offer.
http://robertsiciliano.com/blog/2013/04/04/2013-sxswi-security-trends-in-technology/Unknown Credit Card Charges: Fraud or Legit?
Recently, my mother-in-law discovered that a pretty significant piece of jewelry had gone missing. There had been a number of construction workers in the house for a few weeks and when she went to get her jewelry, it was gone.
http://robertsiciliano.com/blog/2013/04/04/unknown-credit-card-charges-fraud-or-legit/Friday, April 12, 2013
Self-checking Your Online Identity
The term egosurfing bugs me a bit because it insinuates people do it because they are narcissistic by nature.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/robert-siciliano/selfchecking-your-online-_b_3037615.htmlHow to Lead a Double Life Online
The key to a successful secret identity is a good foundation. Robert Siciliano, a security analyst at McAfee, says there will always be a digital trail—the only question is where it starts.
http://www.menshealth.com/techlust/how-lead-double-life-onlineTuesday, April 09, 2013
How Hackers Use Our Information Against Us
We hear an awful lot about hackers breaking into systems and taking down networks or stealing millions of data records. The general understanding we have for hacking is bad guys want to disrupt things to make a point or to make money. But how do they really use our personal information against us?
http://blogs.mcafee.com/consumer/how-hackers-use-our-infoWhat is a “Drive-By” Download?
Gone are the days when you had to click to “accept” a download or install a software update in order to become infected. Now, just opening a compromised web page could allow dangerous code to install on your device.
http://blogs.mcafee.com/consumer/drive-by-downloadWhy are Cybercriminals Moving from PCs to Mobile Devices?
The number of households in the United States that rely solely on mobile phones continues to increase. As of July 2011, 31% of households had mobile phones and no landlines. Additionally, almost one in six households used mobile phones exclusively or almost exclusively, despite still having a landline.
http://blogs.mcafee.com/consumer/cybercriminals-moving-to-mobileSaturday, April 06, 2013
College Students Need to Protect Wireless on iPads
A recent study estimated that nine out of ten undergraduate students will own a smartphone by the time this year’s crop of freshmen is slated to graduate.
http://robertsiciliano.com/blog/2013/04/02/college-students-need-to-protect-wireless-on-ipads/What You Should be Aware of When Using Your Android Device0
As we all migrate towards using smartphones and tablets, we need to be aware of the risks associated with them. Most of us know that we need to protect our computers with security software, but we don’t always take that precaution with our mobile devices.
http://robertsiciliano.com/blog/2013/04/02/what-you-should-be-aware-of-when-using-your-android-device/Anonymous Taunts North Korea
Anonymous has lashed out against Kim Jong-un, and there's no telling what the fallout might be.
http://www.technewsworld.com/story/77709.htmlWednesday, April 03, 2013
Protect Yourself from Tax Time Scams
Tax season is now upon us, and more than ever, we are opting for the convenience of filing taxes online (81% of us did in 2012). While filing online may be faster and more convenient, there is also some risk that you need to be aware of. During 2012, the IRS discovered $20 billion of fraudulent refunds, including those related to identity theft, compared with $14 billion in 2011.*
http://robertsiciliano.com/blog/2013/03/29/protect-yourself-from-tax-time-scams/Fake Friends Fool Facebook Users
The word friend is defined as “one who entertains for another such sentiments of esteem, respect and affection; an intimate associate.” But that definition seems to have gone out the window with the advent of social networks.
https://blogs.mcafee.com/consumer/fake-friendsProtect Yourself from Tax Time Scams
Tax season is now upon us, and more than ever, we are opting for the convenience of filing taxes online (81% of us did in 2012). While filing online may be faster and more convenient, there is also some risk that you need to be aware of.
https://blogs.mcafee.com/consumer/tax-scamsTuesday, April 02, 2013
Personal Finance: Be on guard against scams at tax time
Doing your taxes is taxing enough, without having to worry about getting scammed in the process. Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/2013/03/31/5303309/personal-finance-be-on-guard-against.html#storylink=cpy#storylink=cpy
http://www.sacbee.com/2013/03/31/5303309/personal-finance-be-on-guard-against.html#storylink=cpyElectronic Filing of Tax Returns Sees Increase in Theft
With the number of federal income tax returns filed electronically increasing each year, criminals are becoming more organized as they look for ways to steal the identity of taxpayers and then use those identifies to take the tax refunds the individuals are owed.
http://www.taxlawhome.com/tax-blog/2013/03/electronic-filing-of-tax-returns-sees-increase-in-theft/5 Social Media Stories You Shouldn't Believe
Have you seen the commercial in which the woman says, "I saw it on the Internet, so it must be true"?
http://www.technewsdaily.com/17356-5-social-media-hoaxes.htmlMonday, April 01, 2013
Iran Blocking VPNs on its Already Strangled Internet
Free societies really have no idea what it’s like to live in a censored and controlled nation that locks down the internet and filters what citizens are allowed to consume.
http://robertsiciliano.com/blog/2013/03/28/iran-blocking-vpns-on-its-already-strangled-internet/The Top 6 Sources of Grey Charges
Those out-of-the-blue credit card charges that sneak up on us and require our time, attention, persistence and aggravation to squelch are called grey charges. Thanks to these insidious leaks, millions of people lose billions of dollars.
http://robertsiciliano.com/blog/2013/03/28/the-top-6-sources-of-grey-charges/Fake Friends Fool Facebook Users
The word friend is defined as “one who entertains for another such sentiments of esteem, respect and affection; an intimate associate.” But that definition seems to have gone out the window with the advent of social networks.
http://robertsiciliano.com/blog/2013/03/28/fake-friends-fool-facebook-users/