Category Archives: Identity Theft

“Old” Malware Attacks Rising Significantly

Earlier this week McAfee Labs™ released the McAfee Threats Report: First Quarter 2013, which reported that malware shows no sign of changing its steady growth, which has risen steeply during the last two quarters. Many of the most significant growth trends from previous three quarters actually went into remission, while older types of attacks and Read more…

7 Things You May Not Know About Internet Safety

It’s National Cyber Security Awareness Month. You may have noticed, October is the month in which news reporters, government agencies, non-profits and security companies work together to remind consumers that security is a huge deal and that it’s everyone’s responsibility. Take an inventory of your devices and online practices this month. Ask yourself: How can I improve my Read more…

Weak Passwords Can Cost You Everything

If your computer or mobile was hacked or your passwords were cracked and your data was lost or if all the websites you have an account with were hacked and all that information was the hands of a criminal, how devastated will you be? In McAfee’s study on the value of digital assets, consumers estimated Read more…

How Do Your Digital Assets Compare?

My Dad is in his mid 60’s and retired. And the man knows how to live. A day doesn’t go by without him taking a class and learning something new. But one thing he’s always been behind on is technology. His generation missed it by about 20 years. So for the past 5 years I’ve Read more…

Graduates: 10 Things Not to Do on Social Networks

You’ve done it. You’ve graduated at last. Your whole life is in front of you. Now is the time to make plans, embrace the world, take responsibility, make a statement, do some good and make this place better than how you found it. And this should go without saying, but please don’t be stupid. I’m Read more…

How to Start your Own Criminal Enterprise

Here’s a late night infomercial for you: How’s that burger flipping going? That cubicle working out ok? Anyway, I’m sure your boss is such a nice guy. Guess what! If you’re interested in a career in criminal hacking, you don’t even need a computer! This special, one-time offer comes to you right now from the Read more…

What are My Risks with My Mobile Device?

Mobile technology is the new frontier for fraudsters. Today, there are more wireless devices than American people.[1] Mobile devices connect to the Internet and have much of the same information and capability as a personal computer. Your device and the private data it holds are very, very attractive to thieves. Yet, most of us don’t Read more…

5 Signs You Are About to be Scammed

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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. Scamming generally involves a form of social engineering. Social engineering is the act of manipulating Read more…

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? Whether you Read more…

Protect Yourself from Tax Time Scams

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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 Read more…