Ah, summer. The season of sunburns, sandy toes, and… cybersecurity threats? If that last one caught you off guard, you’re not alone. As we bid farewell to final exams and hit the road to paradise, many of us have a one-track mind: relaxation. But in our zest to share every picturesque sunset and poolside selfie on social media, we might be unknowingly inviting some unsavory digital dangers.
Now, I’m not suggesting you shelve your phone for the season – where’s the fun in that? However, a dash of caution can ensure your posts don’t unwittingly play into the hands of cyber miscreants.
Check-in Wisely: Sure, tagging yourself at that luxurious beachside resort or bustling local restaurant is enticing. But announcing your every move to the world also signals you’re not home, making your empty house a potential target for burglars.
Picture Perfect Precautions: That boarding pass photo looks stylish, but did you know the barcode often contains personal information that can be decoded? The same goes for close-ups of event tickets or keycards. A little crop goes a long way!
Privacy First: Adjust your account settings so that only friends or approved followers can see your posts. And while we’re on the topic, be discerning about accepting new followers or friend requests, especially if your profile is a treasure trove of personal snaps.
The Devil’s in the Details: Sharing anecdotes is one thing but avoid giving specifics. Rather than saying, “Staying at the Grandiose Hotel on 5th Street for two weeks!” perhaps try, “Loving the vibes of this city!” It’s vague, it’s mysterious, and it’s safe.
Delayed Gratification: Post your adventures after you return. This way, you’re not providing real-time updates of your whereabouts, and it gives you a chance to relive your vacation all over again.
Beware of Bots and Scammers: Received a comment from a ‘travel agency’ promising discounted trips? Or a message from a ‘fellow traveler’ wanting to meet up? Approach with caution. These could be bots or individuals with nefarious intentions.
In the end, though, remember there’s more to vacation than just the ‘Gram. As tempting as it might be to capture every moment, sometimes the best memories are the ones where you’re fully present, soaking in the sights and sounds unfiltered.
So, while I wholly endorse your efforts to make your friends a tad jealous with those sun-kissed photos, remember to sprinkle in a bit of digital wisdom. Your peace of mind will thank you. And hey, once you’ve ensured your online safety, there’s nothing stopping you from diving deep into the ocean or your novel, away from the persistent pings of notifications. Happy travels and even happier posting!
February, often dubbed the “month of love”, is upon us, bringing with it heart-shaped chocolates, romantic dinners, and warm sentiments exchanged between loved ones. As Cupid readies his arrows for Valentine’s Day, many individuals are already immersed in the digital realm, hoping to make connections and perhaps even find love.
Yet, as with many things in the digital age, love isn’t without its complications.
Imagine this: You’ve found someone interesting on a dating app. Their profile pictures look too good to be true (because sometimes they are). The conversation flows effortlessly, and soon, plans to meet are in the works. Only, when the time comes, they seem to have one emergency after another, preventing a face-to-face encounter. Sounds familiar? You might be brushing with a catfisher.
The realm of online dating, much like other parts of the internet, is ripe for exploitation. Scammers, donning the disguise of potential mates, often engage in social media exploitation, targeting unsuspecting individuals to extort money or personal data. Their tactics can range from invoking sympathy with sob stories to blackmail using intimate photos.
Now, as dreamy as the thought of meeting someone online might be, it’s worth noting that not every story of digital love ends in a fairy-tale manner. Some tales conclude with a compromised bank account or, worse, a broken heart coupled with stolen identity.
In the backdrop of such threats, it’s crucial to be both emotionally and digitally savvy. Here are a few precautions for those looking to keep their love life online:
Verify, then Trust: If a profile appears too polished or their stories sound too rehearsed, do a quick reverse image search of their photos. This could help ascertain if the pictures are lifted from another source.
Keep Intimate Details Private: While sharing might seem like caring, be wary of giving out too much personal information upfront. Hold off on sharing intimate photos or videos, especially if you’re not sure about the other person’s intentions.
Financial Red Flags: Be skeptical if your new online love interest suddenly finds themselves in a financial crunch, seeking your assistance. Many scammers spin tales of woe to play on their victims’ emotions and wallets.
Take It Slow: While the digital age is all about instant gratifications, taking things slow in the world of online dating can save you a lot of grief. Get to know the person, consider video calls before meeting in person, and trust your instincts.
Up Your Privacy Game: Ensure that your own social media profiles aren’t giving away too much about you. Regularly update your privacy settings, and be cautious about whom you accept as friends or followers.
In the spirit of Valentine’s, let’s sprinkle in a bit of humor. Remember, if you’re feeling particularly vulnerable this season, chocolates, unlike potential online scammers, are rarely deceptive (unless we’re talking about that mystery box where half of them are flavors nobody likes).
In conclusion, while the age of the internet offers unprecedented opportunities to meet and connect with people worldwide, it also demands an unprecedented level of caution. As you embark on your digital love journey this February, remember to safeguard both your heart and your data. After all, the best matches are built on trust, and nothing says “I trust you” like ensuring your mutual digital safety.
It’s that time of year again. Holiday shopping is in full-swing. Americans are buying more and more from online vendors and shipping companies are working feverishly to keep up with demand.
And, of course, the bad guys are looming, seeking an opportunity to upset the holiday season.
Due to the increasing popularity of online shopping, shipping scams are more common than ever. Given the battle over expedient shipping, there’s no wonder that cybercriminals have developed sophisticated, and timely, methods of stealing from you.
During the holiday season, one of the most common shipping scams is nothing new, and, certainly not a sophisticated cyberattack. Commonly referred to as porch pirates, those who steal packages from the exterior of homes are rampant. In fact, recent statistics reveal that 25 million Americans were victims of porch pirates in 2018.
So, what can you do?
During the checkout process, select “signature required” in the shipping details. In doing so, you will force the shipping service to get a physical signature. The process is a bit tedious by today’s standards; however, not only will you safely collect your items, but, you’ll ensure that the items aren’t carelessly tossed onto your property in haste. Not all online vendors provide this option, so, don’t be surprised if it’s not present during the checkout process.
Secondly, if you live near a package collection service, you can use those providers. A package collection service will provide you with a physical street address – an employee will collect the packages and store for you. The service is similar to USPS post office boxes; however, many commercial carriers will not deliver to a post office box, and, these services are a good substitute for home delivery.
Next, ponder the porch pirate’s methods. They steal based on opportunity and relative ease of access to the goods. If you remove the easy access, the thief will likely pass your home. Many companies sell protective bags or boxes that are secured to your front door or other physical structure. When ordering, in the “other instructions” box for shipping, indicate that the package should be placed in the protective device and locked. While it’s true that a thief could steal the protective device, remember these are typically quick-action efforts. Porch pirates usually drive through a neighborhood and dash to and from a porch – they don’t carry tools; therefore, they aren’t prepared to fight with a locked bag or box.
Similarly, review your delivery area at your home. If you have hedges or other landscaping that will provide a blind for your packages, instruct the online vendor to place the packages behind those obstructions.
A few high-tech tools are available that could prevent, or, minimally, detect package theft. Amazon provides a locker service in some areas. The locker service is similar to the package collection providers, except, you have a key to your shipping locker, which is housed in a large building. Various video doorbell systems and motion alarms could assist with preventing the bad guys – when they work correctly. I use a combination of alarm and video products. Unfortunately, they’ve not always worked to scare away the thieves. However, I receive a text when activity occurs, so, if time permits, I can drop by and move the packages inside the house.
And, of course, the true online scammers use the holiday season as ripe opportunity to flood your inbox with phishing messages.
Shipping-themed phishing messages always increase during the holiday season. Complicating the matter, shipping companies rely heavily on email or text notification in today’s vibrant shipping environment. Therefore, it’s often a challenge to detect which messages are bad.
Whether you, or your business, use UPS, FedEx, DHL, or the USPS, it’s important to understand exactly what a legitimate delivery message looks like from those vendors.
The intent of the phishing messages is to steal. Specifically, the cybercriminals are trying to steal credentials (usernames and passwords), financial information (logins, account numbers), and spread malware which could lead to system ransom, downtime, and other undesirable outcomes.
How do the would-be bad guys design shipping scam messages?
Common techniques include: phony tracking numbers, undeliverable package notice, additional postage request, invalid mailing address, or attaching files to messages that claim to be claims forms or other shipping documents.
So, what do you do if you receive one of these messages and you know you have packages, but, are concerned about the possibility of malicious messages?
One of the most common phishing attempts is delivery of a fake tracking number. There are two ways to avoid this scam. First, if you are expecting a package, simply visit the online vendor’s website, view your account information and check the shipping information there. Secondly, if your vendor only lists the tracking information, but no detail, copy the tracking number from the vendor site and visit the shipping provider. As an example, UPS provides a very quick and accurate webpage for checking on the status of packages. I simply copy and paste the tracking numbers into the UPS website and get updates immediately. Clicking on links in email messages isn’t a good idea, so, taking a couple extra steps and being cautious will avoid malicious efforts, and, possibly provide more detailed shipping information.
Don’t trust links sent to your mobile device as texts – just because you think no one has your mobile number, doesn’t mean that’s accurate. Links within text messages can present an abundance of opportunity for poor outcome. Visit the online seller and check the status there.
As for the other common shipping scams, the same instructions will work. Visit the online vendor’s website to check on all delivery issues. It’s very unlikely that you will receive an email indicating that additional postage is needed. And, email delivery of invoices as attachments is common for business purchases, but rather inconvenient and unusual for consumer purchases – just avoid opening those attachments completely.
And lastly, a perfect way to avoid all of these online scams and shipping concerns is to shop local – support your local business community.
Fabella Security 
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