If you're a cybercrook, the "next big thing" is the rise of ransomware. Ransomware is a type of malware that locks computer files and deletes them if a ransom is not paid. Typically, the criminal will require payment in bitcoins, which is an untraceable digital currency. For you and me, the rise of ransomware is scary. The rise of ransomware Ransomware took hold in 2015 and … [Read more...] about The rise of ransomware — a scary direction
security issues
Bugged by computer security popup ads?
Have you ever needed help fixing a computer problem? Maybe you thought your machine had contracted a virus or malware. Or, it had become sluggish. What if you just need someone who knows what they're doing to walk you through how to resolve an issue. Computer security popup ads have been making these claims for years. Unfortunately, the ads have become pervasive in online … [Read more...] about Bugged by computer security popup ads?
When we are vulnerable — an email scam tip
We're most vulnerable when we're not paying attention or when coincidence catches us off guard. This would have been an easy scam to fall for had I not been paying attention. First off, we're doing business with Hawai‘i Life, so it wasn't unusual to receive an email from them. Second, everything in the email was legitimate—except for the "click here" link. However, even the … [Read more...] about When we are vulnerable — an email scam tip
Will medical identity theft be the next big thing?
A hacker wants to steal your personal information. Oh, and your health insurance company wants to reduce their costs. These two pieces of information are far more closely tied together than you might realize. First, identity theft is a massive business. Also, if your insurance company can get you to visit a doctor online, you both save money. The only problem is, will these two … [Read more...] about Will medical identity theft be the next big thing?
Is it time to return to checks to avoid ATM theft?
Just when you thought life couldn't get any worse for the poor ATM, the bad guys have come up with a nifty new tool—the "deep-insert skimmer." Similar to the black boxes used by thieves for ATM theft, the deep-insert skimmer cannot be seen by the naked eye. Is it time to say, "Bye, bye, ATM?"Brian Krebs was probably the one to break this ATM theft story first when he wrote, … [Read more...] about Is it time to return to checks to avoid ATM theft?