May 1 2016
Keeping you safer at work and at home
There's a 90% chance someone will try to hack your phone today.
Here's how to stop them.
These threatening emails are sent millions of times a day:
-
“Your account is overdrawn!”
-
“Your Facebook account is in violation.”
-
“You’re being audited.”
-
“You’ve violated company policy.”
And then…you're instructed to click on a link. Don’t do it.
Hackers know the easiest way to get into your computer or smartphone.It's called "phishing."
They send an email that looks like it's from someone official (but isn't)...telling you you have to do something right away (you don't)...or something bad will happen (it won't).
The email might look like it's from one of our people, or your bank or the IRS, but it's actually linked to the bad guys who want your personal information.
Click to watch our video about phishing.
How to Keep Your Home WiFi Network Safer
Your home wi-fi unit can be used by bad guys to steal your personal information like your bank account password. How do you reduce your risk?
-
Don’t use the default password that came with the device. Create your own.
-
Update your software or computer operating system every time an update is available.
-
If your computer slows down suddenly, remove an application you installed recently to see if it is the cause of the sluggishness.
Even fitness trackers like Fitbits and new wifi-enabled appliances like refrigerators are being used by bad guys to expand their reach.
Listen to our interview about
why your home computer network is at risk.
Braden Rogers, SVP, Blue Coat Systems
A few rules for creating stronger passwords...
including which movie title to avoid using.
You should change passwords as often as you change the smoke detector batteries in your house.
-
Every website you use should have a different password.
-
You should avoid words like "welcome" or "password."
-
Don't use numbers like "12345" or "99999" or keyboard patterns like "qwerty."
Want to know which movie title makes for a bad password? Why should you avoid Luke Skywalker?
Download our PDF about Safer Passwords
Aware Force Headlines You Can Use
Hacking your phone: 60 Minutes reports on how your phone can be used to track where you go, who you meet and what you say, whether you're on an Android or iPhone.
What are your name and phone number worth? A hacker is having a sale: he's offering the names of 100,000 Verizon customers for $10,000.
Windows users: the government says you should delete the QuickTime application from your PC right now. There are security issues with it and Apple is no longer providing updates. Mac users, you're fine keeping it.
Turns out, not all hackers are bad. IBM employs them to find ways to break into your electronics so security holes can be patched.
If you have a question about online security, if you receive an email that looks suspicious or have a suggestion for a future topic, email the Standard Healthcare IT team at staysafe@standardhealthcare.com.
Jay Boht, IT Director
Standard Healthcare
Wifi photo by Thomas Lauthard
This is a sample edition of Aware Force, available at a special rate for members of the
Technology Association of Georgia and its new national security organization NTSC.
For information availability and rates, please email richard@awareforce.com.