October was National Cyber Security Awareness month and during that time, millions of online identities were stolen in America with more than 200 published breaches.

We’re now getting close to 1 billion records of identity theft – more than three times our entire population in the United States.

Nearly two-thirds of Americans have heard, read or seen something about online safety and security issues recently, according to StopThinkConnect.org. Yet consumers also say they don’t take steps to stay safe online because they lack information or knowledge.

So here are my best tips to help you enjoy Black Friday, CyberMonday and the Christmas shopping experience without losing your privacy and identity or putting your children’s safety at risk:

• Change your passwords – all of them. Do it now and do it as frequently as you can tolerate. If you don’t want to change them often, then use any unique characters you can think of, such as a dollar sign ($) or an exclamation mark (!) or replace a letter “O” with a 0 (zero). This goes a long way in preventing brute force attacks against your password. Also, never trust anyone on the phone who asks for your password, especially if they called you. The same holds true with emails. Both the telephone and email are used by people who try to get your password by pretending to be the IRS, your bank or someone else you have an account with.

• Clean up your apps. Assume most of your smartphone or tablet apps are malware that spies on you and your online behavior. Do you really need them? Delete any apps you don’t use often. Replace apps that take advantage of too many of your privacy settings with similar apps that don’t. On an iPhone, you’re not being eavesdropped on until you run the app.

• Shop online only from websites you trust. If you don’t know where the merchant is located, don’t shop online there. If they don’t have a corporate address or are located in another country, it could be iffy whether you ever see the goods you think you purchased. Also, if their shopping-cart experience is not an HTTPS browser session, then everything you type in ¬– your name, address and credit card information – is going over the Internet unencrypted, in plain view.Never buy online using your credit card on a site that doesn’t have SSL (secure sockets layer) encryption installed. It’s easy to tell you are in a secure, encrypted session. You should see an icon of a locked padlock in your browser and the website URL starts with HTTPS not HTTP. Also, if you receive emails from the merchant, no matter the reason, don’t give them your credit card information over email.

• Don’t use cash or debit cards. You have three major choices when shopping – cash, credit or debit. In rare but growing instances there’s even a fourth option called “Bitcoins,” which are now accepted at some merchants including Overstock.com. Bitcoins could be considered the equivalent to the cash option, because once used, you can’t get them back. So, if you have to choose among these options, the best is the credit card.Here’s why: If you experience identity theft, credit card laws allow you to keep all of your credit immediately, with no responsibility during an identity theft or fraud investigation. With a debit card, your bank’s policy can be to tie up your money in the amount of the fraudulent transactions for up to 30 days. Some have been known to take up to 60 days to resolve the issue.

• Don’t use public WiFi without using SSL encryption. Public Wifi networks can be a hacker’s dream. If they want, they can see what websites you are visiting and insert malware into your computer or other device. The hacker also has access to any information you are sending out over the Internet, which could include credit card numbers or other critical information.

About Gary S. Miliefsky

Gary Miliefsky recently blew the lid on the how Russian, Chinese and Indian hackers are behind the top 10 flashlight apps specifically designed to collect and expose your personal information to cybercriminals abroad. Fox News Bret Baier’s interview with Miliefsky broke records for Fox with over 5 million views. Miliefsky is a consumer advocate who has been recently featured on ABC, Good Morning America, World News Tonight, NBC’s Today, FOX News, CNBC and elsewhere for his expertise as a cyber security expert. He is Founder of SnoopWall Inc., a cutting edge counter-intelligence technology company offering free consumer based software to secure personal data on cell-phones and tablets, while generating revenues helping banks and government agencies secure their networks. He has been active in the INFOSEC arena, as the Executive Producer of Cyber Defense Magazine and a regular contributor to Hakin9 Magazine. He has patents and patents pending on his inventions for Computer and Network Security.

The post Halting Hackers For The Holidays appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

Making a purchase or other payment is not like it used to be.

These days, cash and credit cards aren’t the necessities they once were because alternative-payment options are just a tap or two away on a mobile device through apps such as Google Wallet, Apple Pay, Square, Levelup, Kash and PayPal.

But just how secure are those mobile-payment apps and who makes sure that the companies behind them are doing all they can to keep your personal data safe?

The Clearing House, an advocacy group owned by the world’s largest commercial banks, is raising those questions and others in a new report titled “Ensuring Consistent Consumer Protection for Data Security: Major Banks vs. Alternative Payment Providers.”

The report argues that while these providers, operated by both established companies and start-up firms, are subject to some data-security requirements, they don’t face the more extensive regulatory oversight banks do when it comes to cybersecurity. That makes it easer for security flaws to go undetected until a breach actually happens.

The Clearing House report raises legitimate concerns, says Gary Miliefsky, CEO of SnoopWall (www.snoopwall.com), a company that specializes in cybersecurity.

“These alternative-payment methods certainly are providing something that consumers want, which is a convenient way to make payments,” Miliefsky says. “But I don’t think most of those consumers would be too thrilled to know that these companies might not be subject to the same demanding data-security requirements their banks deal with.”

It’s serious business when companies don’t do enough to protect their customers’ data, Miliefsky says. Waiting to act after a breach happens is too late because at that point customers are at risk of becoming victims of fraud or identity theft.

“Unfortunately, a lot of companies don’t realize just how vulnerable their apps are and what the potential is for leaking their customers’ personal information,” Miliefsky says.

In its report, the Clearing House made several recommendations and observations, including these related to legislation that would establish additional data-security requirements for alternative-payment providers:

• Data Security Act of 2015. This proposed law would establish flexible and common-sense standards for firms of all sizes to follow in order to secure consumers’ sensitive financial information and prevent breaches. The law would also give the Federal Trade Commission express enforcement authority in this area, while making clear that the standards are not applicable to financial institutions already subject to similar requirements from banking regulators.

• More resources. To exercise any new authority successfully, the FTC would need more resources to properly staff investigations and enforcement actions, the report said.

• Better security. Additional legislation might make it clear that alternative-payment providers are subject to the same type of scrutiny with respect to data security as banks. That could be done by directly giving the FTC or the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau examination authority, or by directly requiring the CFPB to enact rules defining larger participants in the alternative-payment industry.

If they aren’t already, and regardless of any proposed legislation, the alternative-payment providers should look into better ways to protect their mobile apps from hackers intent on doing harm, Miliefsky says.

There are several ways to do that. Miliefsky’s company, for example, offers the AppShield SDK, which can secure any mobile app on all major platforms.

“What the AppShield SDK basically does is make your company’s app invisible to any other app on the mobile device that otherwise might be able to eavesdrop on it,” Miliefsky says. “I liken it to the way a B2 bomber employs stealth technology to evade radar detection.”

Failing to act isn’t good for the customers – and ultimately the business, Miliefsky says.

“These alternative-payment apps are a great convenience,” he says. “But if they aren’t secure, the result could be a huge inconvenience for their users.”

About Gary S. Miliefsky

Gary S. Miliefsky is CEO of SnoopWall (www.snoopwall.com) and the inventor of SnoopWall spyware-blocking technology. His company produces AppCrusher, which gives companies a detailed analysis of any vulnerabilities or risks in their mobile apps. Miliefsky is a founding member of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and serves on the advisory board of MITRE on the CVE Program, and is a founding board member of the National Information Security Group. He’s also the original inventor of the NetBeat NAC product line which was recently acquired by SnoopWall to protect networks from the inside and against bring your own device (BYOD) mobile threats.

The post How Vulnerable To Hackers Are Mobile-Payment Apps? appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

The post Keep your family safe from identity theft appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

Research shows consumers know credit card fraud is a reality in today’s economy. In 2013, 552 million consumer identities were stolen from retailer data breaches according to the 2013 Norton Report, and that number is projected to grow in 2014. Nearly 70 percent of Americans frequently or occasionally worry about identity theft, according to a recent Gallup Poll and 62 percent worry about having a computer or smartphone hacked. More than a quarter of Americans reported they, or someone in their household, had personal financial information stolen in the last year by computer hackers who targeted retailers.

Despite these fears, most consumers aren’t taking the necessary steps to protect their private information. Nearly half of smartphone and tablet users do not take even the basic precautions to protect their mobile devices, according to the 2013 Norton Report. This includes using passwords, installing security software or backing up files. Nevertheless, they’re sharing personal financial information more than ever.

As Cyber Monday draws near, industry analysts project many will flock to e-retailers to take advantage of the hot online deals. Last year, Cyber Monday sales reached a record $2.29 billion, with 17 percent of consumers purchasing via mobile devices, USA Today reported. This year, IBM predicts more than half of all online holiday purchases over Thanksgiving will come from mobile devices.

“With the added threat of retailer hacking, cyber crime is at an all-time high for today’s consumer,” says Dr. Rajin Koonjbearry, professor in the College of Engineering and Information Sciences at DeVry University. “An ill-informed consumer is a hacker’s primary target, so this holiday season consumers take responsibility for their own protection.”

Koonjbearry offers these tips for consumers to protect themselves against cyber hacks:

* Shop on secure websites: Avoid accidentally clicking on infected sites by looking for the SSL certificate and ensure the site starts with https:// and has a padlock icon.

* Keep your passwords secure: Use different passwords for each of your online accounts, and change each password every three months in case your data is hacked.

* Update anti-virus software regularly: Cyber criminals are always developing new viruses to hack into your devices. To ensure your computer is protected from the latest threats, install anti-virus software and configure it to update automatically.

* Delete apps you don’t use: Information stored in mobile applications, like passwords, is vulnerable to Internet hacking. Get rid of apps you no longer use.

* Swipe your own card: When you’re shopping in-store, always swipe your own card or ask the clerk to swipe the card in front of you to ensure they don’t copy any personal information.

“Cyber criminals will pounce on the opportunity to exploit a seemingly simple security mistake,” says Koonjbearry. “Savvy consumers need to mitigate the risks by staying wary of anything suspicious this holiday season.”

*BPT

The post Five tips to protect yourself from cybercrime this shopping season appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

Spring break is around the corner.  It’s the perfect opportunity to take off with the entire family to escape and unwind at a faraway destination.  Simply put, get away from it all.   Or so you think!   Like a baby with a bottle, most of us don’t want to part with our phone, tablet or laptop.  Today’s family may want to leave town, but not their online life.  No matter where we are, most of us want to check email, update our Facebook page and text our BFF anytime, anywhere.  However, the need to remain connected could put your identity at risk.

Identity theft is a serious crime that does not discriminate, affecting both the young and old.  Your identity can be stolen with as little as one important piece of information.  All it takes is information such as a Social Security number, a driver’s license or a bank account statement to be accessed online by the wrong person for someone to become an identity theft victim.  In worst case scenarios, it can take victims years to realize their identity has been used illegally to open fraudulent credit cards, obtain loans, etc.,  furthering the damage to their credit, making prevention and awareness all the more important.

Unfortunately, taking a trip can dramatically increase the risk of having your identity stolen when relying on unsecure public Wi-Fi and overlooking measures you can take on and offline that can protect your family.  The good news is there are steps you can take to keep your identity safe and keep the good times rolling while on vacation.  Identity theft protection product Experian’s ProtectMyID suggests you implement the following tips:

• Control Your Wi-Fi: A portable router will allow you to create your own hotspot for your family’s devices and avoid using public Wi-Fi spots.  You’ll need a local SIM data card, which can be found at most electronic stores or even airport kiosks.
• Steer Clear of Hackers: If you must use public Wi-Fi, make sure you are logging into secured/private networks.   Otherwise, the consequences of using an unsecured Wi-Fi network opens the door to hackers gaining access to the networks which can lead them to your login details and any credit card information you may have entered into it.
• Limit Online Socializing:  Social media is a great way to highlight your trip to friends in real time however posting pictures or messages can alert someone that your home is vacant.  If you just can’t help yourself, make sure to set your privacy settings on your Facebook page to “friends only” to help control the number of people who actually see your pictures.   However, the best option is to delay posts until you are back home.  Other safeguards to put in place are to set your home alarm and/or hire a house sitter.
• Is that URL the Real Deal?: There are plenty of URL spoof sites out there, created for the sole purpose of stealing your information.  Since not all mobile browsers show the URL, it’s important to make sure the website is legitimate before logging onto it from your mobile device.  Make it a habit to bookmark your favorite sites after you type in the address.
• Guard your social networks. If you have a blog or social accounts, such as Facebook and Twitter, use the highest security settings possible.
• Use strong passwords. Use a mix of upper and lowercase letters, numbers, symbols and punctuation to make your passwords harder to crack.
• Protect your mobile devices. Losing your mobile phone, a thumb drive or laptop can be just as bad as losing your wallet.  Be sure to protect your mobile devices with passwords and encryption. 
• Avoid skimming: If you have to use an ATM during your travels, be sure that it is in a secure location, and whenever possible, use one stationed at a bank branch. Fake ATM machines are known to have been placed in high traffic tourist areas. Shield your pin entry with your other hand to avoid shoulder surfers. Debit cards also provide thieves with a direct pipeline to your bank accounts. When used with a PIN, you need not sign for the purchase. When used for a “credit” purchase with a signature, no confirming PIN is needed. This is why debit cards are deemed valuable to thieves. It is also more difficult and time consuming to resolve fraudulent purchases made with debit cards than to resolve those made with credit cards.

It’s important to note that while these tips should be implemented while on vacation, they’re just as important to follow when you are out and about at home. 

As mobile devices continue to play a larger role in our everyday lives, our online activity continues to increase in public places like the local coffeehouse or shopping mall. Technology has made life more convenient in so many ways, but understanding and being well informed about the dangers that lurk out in cyberspace is vital to help keep your family’s identity private and safe.

About Becky Frost: Becky Frost is Senior Manager of Consumer Education for Experian Consumer Services, which offers credit monitoring products like ProtectMyID. Find Becky on Google Plus. 

The post Technology & Travel – Play It Safe While on the Road appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.