Open Season – Why is less data being encrypted than ever before?
Encryption is a critical component of cybersecurity strategies. By making use of various algorithms to scramble data, encryption renders information unintelligible to anyone not authorised to access it. In this sense, it guarantees that compromised data is secure from unauthorised access, even if the system or device is physically stolen, illegally accessed, or lost.
Is Backup Still Relevant?
The end of March marks World Backup Day, a day traditionally designed to raise awareness of the importance of backup and encourage best practices. However, in 2024… Is backup still relevant?
Book Review: AI Doctor, take the money and run
When we received an invitation to review AI Doctor we were quite excited to get a look inside what a serial entrepreneur, investor, and cardiologist thinks about dealing with those vulnerabilities.
Scam Bucket: Credit card fraud is inevitable
You can do everything right, but credit card fraud is inevitable.
In recent weeks, Cyber Protection Magazine has fielded calls and emails from people who have followed all the best-known techniques for securing banking, debit, and credit card information. That includes bank notifications every time the card is used, multi-factor authentication (MFA), biometrics, and limiting the use of a card for specific transactions. These readers still experienced unauthorized use of their payment cards
How does that happen?
The market for criminal use of legitimate credit cards is a well-known “secret.” The most common sites are found on the DarkWeb, but occasionally they pop up on Meta sites, where they can reap thousands of dollars before Meta gets around to kicking them off, generally without prosecution.
The criminals collect most of this information through phishing attacks using email, but also on Facebook and Instagram, and falling for a phishing scam may negate victims’ claims they “did everything right.” Criminals, however, are getting more sophisticated. Enterprises selling the card information gather it by sending fraudulent emails or text messages, posing as legitimate entities, and tricking individuals into providing their credit card information. Then there is basic social engineering, manipulating victims into revealing their credit card information through phone calls, and QR codes.
Even more sophisticated, criminals will install skimming devices on ATMs, gas pumps, or point-of-sale terminals to capture credit card information when cards are swiped or inserted. While it may not be obvious that the skimmers have been added to the terminal, it is fairly easy to determine if it is legitimate. Legitimate card readers cannot be easily removed, while skimmers may be held on with a simple adhesive. Some locations, like Costco fueling stations, place tape over the reader and, if broken, can alert users and the vendor that there may have been a breach.
No one is completely safe
But by and large, data breaches are the most common source of stolen credit card information, and that is something most victims cannot do anything about.
By hacking into databases of companies or financial institutions criminals steal terabytes of credit card information. Employees of companies or financial institutions may access and sell credit card information, posting the information of those above, carding forums. Criminals exchange...
Like Digital Cicadas, Cybercriminals Lie In Wait Before Unleashing Their Presence
A curious parallel can be drawn between cybercriminals and the intriguing phenomenon of Cicadas. Akin to the periodic insects that emerge from the ground after years of dormancy, cybercriminals often resurface with renewed vigor, unleashing their disruptive activities on unsuspecting organizations.
Turning the corner on cyber insurance
It seems like the insurance industry is turning the corner on cyber insurance and making a decent profit in the process. But not every industry watcher is optimistic.
Opinion: Deprioritize social media for peace
Finding content from legacy media is getting difficult in social media by design of the management of social media companies, while information from radicalized groups, hostile nation states, and paid political consultants currently makes up the bulk of information that these users call “news.”
7 Most Dangerous Cybersecurity Threats
In the ever-evolving landscape of technology, each year brings a new set of cybersecurity threats that can put your digital life and sensitive information at risk. As you navigate the digital world, staying informed about the latest dangers lurking in the shadows is crucial.
From Coders to Protectors: Women’s Influence in Cybersecurity
The need for knowledgeable people to safeguard our online environment has increased. In this context, women have become significant influences in cybersecurity.
Security issues, regulation, reality dull AI hype
In the last year the tech world has seen some spectacular expectation resets on “revolutionary” technology. Social media has gone from a boon to democracy to a hellscape of mediocre and abusive content. Cryptocurrency and NFT swallowed more fortunes than
Safeguarding Your Organizational Assets is a Continuous Journey
Securing your organizational ...
The State of SaaS Security - A CISO’s Perspective on SaaS Security for 2024
Understanding the state of ...
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Murky third-party agreements weaken healthcare privacy controls
The healthcare industry is a vulnerable target of cybercriminals, but not for the reasons most business sectors are. Between 80 and 90 percent of all cybercrime results from people not following basic cyber hygiene practices, but in healthcare criminals gain access to information through infrastructure weaknesses and the murky third-party agreements.
Breaking Barriers, Building Bridges: Inspiring Inclusion on International Women’s Day
The tech industry has made significant progress in bringing more women and girls into the field throughout the recent years. International Women’s Day highlights this growth, yet also acts as an indicator that there is still lots to be done in order to reach the level of gender equality we are striving for.
Biden data EO a step forward
President Joe Biden took a step forward in protecting American's data this week and issued an executive order (EO) to protect Americans’ personal information from hostile governments.
Bad month for Cybercrime
It has been a bad month for cybercrime. Yes, attacks are on the way up. Yes, they are still extorting money and causing infrastructure chaos. But there is a massive, shadow-busting spotlight on them right where they live. Defense technology…...
Navigating AI as a Double-Edged Sword
The landscape of cyber threats is poised to become more treacherous due to the advancing use of AI in code writing and the dissemination of malicious techniques. The race between cyber attackers and defenders will intensify, with AI at the centre of this escalating arms race.
Dissecting the Anatomy of Ransomware
Most people understand by now the impact that ransomware can have on their systems if infected. But what precedes this critical point? Is the deployment of ransomware a gradual process, or does it occur in a single, quick action? Ransomware…...
Biometrics and payment cards?
Biometric multi-factor authentication is all the rage in security. And yet it is also the cause of terror for security-minded folk. For every breakthrough we get a news story about how it has caused harm. But is it a good…...
How serious do companies take cybersecurity?
Cybersecurity in an organisation is primarily a proactive effort. Whilst it does have a reactive component as well, a response to a cyberattack may only be successful with proper planning and preparation. The hope with a crisis response plan is…...
The Era of AI-Powered Cyberthreats?
From our predictions issue: AI is rapidly infiltrating the business world and our daily lives. While revolutionizing how – and how efficiently – work gets done, it also introduces a new set of cybersecurity challenges.
Breach affects half of France
French regulators recently warned that a January 2024 cyber-attack on two major healthcare sector companies caused over 33 million people’s data to be compromised. The data includes sensitive personal information, which threat actors could exploit in phishing campaigns and financial…...
Cyber Threats Impacting Enterprises in 2024
From our predictions issue: With the new year, CIOs must educate and prepare themselves for the upcoming obstacles they may face in the future and implement ways to stay ahead and double down to protect themselves and their clients from potential vulnerabilities.
How will AI change the cybersecurity industry?
From our predictions issue: AI dominated the news in 2023. For 2024, our experts predict that AI will mature further, resulting in more AI-driven solutions in the cybersecurity industry.
