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Articles from Robert Siciliano | Selfgrowth.com
- Cheating Website hacked hard - by Submitted on Sep 23, 2015 from Robert SicilianoBad guys hacked bad guys. Hmmm, whose side should we take? Ashleymadison.com got hacked. This site helps and suggests married people cheat. The hack threatens millions of users, potentially revealing their credit card information, addresses, real names, pictures and content of their chat ...
Views: 916 - Check out Google's Password Alert - by Submitted on Jul 07, 2015 from Robert SicilianoCyber crooks have phony websites that masquerade as the legitimate site you want to log onto. They’ve spun their web and are just waiting for you to fly into it. Google now has Password Alert, which will tell you if you’ve landed into such a non-Google web. For the Chrome browser, ...
Views: 966 - Check Your Free Credit Report Now - by Submitted on Oct 04, 2018 from Robert SicilianoWhen is the last time you checked your credit report? If it has been more than a year, you can get a free one. The issue is, however, is how to really understand it. Here’s some information about obtaining and reading your credit report. Obtaining Your Free Credit Report Based on US ...
Views: 590 - Child Identity theft is becoming Solvable - by Submitted on Oct 20, 2015 from Robert SicilianoYou’ve seen TV commercials and print ads about identity theft, and the “victim” is always an adult. That’s not realistic. The actor-portrayal should be that of a child. Yes, a kid. Children are 51 times more likely than adults to have their identity stolen, says ...
Views: 864 - Child Predator screws up, gets caught - by Submitted on Jun 07, 2016 from Robert SicilianoIf you’re a pedophile, you’d be wise not to keep any prescription containers in view of a webcam with your lewd pictures. The information on such a bottle is what helped pedophile Stephen Keating get 110 years in the slammer says a CNN article. But the amazing thing is that the ...
Views: 817 - Chip and PIN, will It save Us? - by Submitted on Dec 17, 2014 from Robert SicilianoMany Americans, says a recent survey by Gallup, worry about a data breach connected to the use of their credit cards. Interestingly, many people use a credit card for everything under the sun: even just a soda and bag of chips from the convenience mart. The more you use a credit card, the more ...
Views: 1044 - Choosing a Home Security System - by Submitted on Oct 14, 2015 from Robert SicilianoChoosing a home security system may be dizzying, what with all the possibilities, but the good news is that there’s a system for every budget and personality. Gone are the days in which the only security systems available were the ones with all the clunky wires that had to be put ...
Views: 975 - College bound kids: protect your identity - by Submitted on Nov 14, 2014 from Robert SicilianoThe good old days were when today’s college kids’ parents lugged their typewriters into their dorm room, and they communicated to people via the phone on their room’s wall. Their biggest worry was someone stealing their popcorn maker. Nowadays, college kids need to beware of ...
Views: 1264 - Coming up, Your Phone contains your Driver's License - by Submitted on Jun 26, 2015 from Robert SicilianoGone are the days of the fat wallet bursting at the seems, since smartphones can now contain most anything that a wallet does—except the driver‘s license. But don‘t write that possibility off just yet. Forbes.com reports on a story from the Des Moines Register that the Iowa ...
Views: 891 - Company for sale includes your Data - by Submitted on Aug 14, 2015 from Robert SicilianoWhen you subscribe to an online service, be careful of how much information you give out about yourself. Most businesses in their terms and conditions, say they “respect your privacy.” But what if these companies go under or are sold? An article from the online New York Times ...
Views: 931 - Company proves why you shouldn’t post Kids’ Pics online - by Submitted on Apr 06, 2015 from Robert SicilianoWhat if you knew there existed a possibility that some company, without your knowledge, grabbed a photo of your child and put it on their product and then put their product online for sale? Koppie Koppie sells coffee mugs with photos of kids on them—and YOUR child could be one. Though ...
Views: 1011 - Computers perfectly forge Handwriting - by Submitted on Nov 17, 2016 from Robert SicilianoHandwriting analysts really have their work cut out from them now, thanks to the development of new software that can forge—better than a human can—a person’s handwriting. So if you are worried about identity theft, add one more element to the kettle: a crook getting ahold of ...
Views: 832 - Consumers Have Given Up on Security - by Submitted on Jan 30, 2017 from Robert SicilianoAccording to a recent study, online security for most people is too bothersome. The US National Institute of Standards and Technology published the study, which shows that most people who use the internet have just given up and don’t follow the advice given to them about online ...
Views: 776 - Consumers sacrificing Privacy for Convenience - by Submitted on May 06, 2015 from Robert SicilianoIt’s hard to believe that, according to a recent poll from the Pew Research Center, most Americans aren’t too upset that the government can track their e-mails and phone calls. There’s too much of a blasé attitude, it seems, with people thinking, “I don’t ...
Views: 937 - Consumers smartening up to Privacy Issues - by Submitted on Jul 09, 2015 from Robert SicilianoAccording to a recent report from Pew Research, many Americans take privacy seriously—as in the cyber kind, but also offline. 9% of survey respondents thought they had strong control over how much of their personal information was collected and shared. 38% thought they had moderate ...
Views: 1056 - Covert Camera Apps to be aware of - by Submitted on Dec 30, 2015 from Robert SicilianoHave you ever tried to take a picture or video of someone with your phone without them knowing? Sometimes it’s possible, but sometimes it’s not. Well, maybe you knew it was coming: “Ghost apps” are available that let you take images and videos without the target’s ...
Views: 961 - Covid-19 Remote Desktop Has Significant Risks - by Submitted on Mar 24, 2020 from Robert SicilianoAre you newly working from home? Or are you an old pro? Either way, it is likely you are using some form of remote desktop protocol. Those of us who have been working home as our primary means of earning a living, know these tools very well and are accustomed to eliminating the various ...
Views: 872 - Craigslist encounter ends very badly - by Submitted on Jul 14, 2015 from Robert SicilianoAt least one woman is happy that her driver drove like a drunk. That’s because his erratic driving caught the attention of troopers who pulled him over. They then heard a woman calling for help—from the backseat. She was bound and gagged with a bag over her head. The 41-year-old ...
Views: 899 - Craigslist Rental Scams in Your Town - by Submitted on May 10, 2016 from Robert SicilianoCraigslist is one of my favorite sites on the Internet, though I admittedly have a love/hate relationship with it. One reason I love it is because of the deals and variety of items and services available, but I hate it because some of the people who use it are scammers and the site has some ...
Views: 656 - Creating a “Plan B” for Survival - by Submitted on May 09, 2018 from Robert SicilianoWhat do you do if you have a “Plan A” for survival, but you realize that it’s a bad plan. Do you have a “Plan B?” Forget about doing things like running to the grocery store right before the snow storm of the century hits. Everyone else in your town or city will ...
Views: 761 - Creating an Effective Business Continuity Plan - by Submitted on Jan 04, 2020 from Robert SicilianoMost of us have no idea when a disaster is about to strike, and even if we do have a little warning, it’s very possible that things can go very wrong. This is where you can put a business continuity plan to good use. What does this do? It gives your business the best odds of success ...
Views: 839 - Credit Card Fraud isn’t the same as Identity Theft - by Submitted on Jan 06, 2015 from Robert SicilianoJust as important as taking down the decorations, throwing out all the debris from opened gifts and getting the house back in order after the holiday activities, is that of scrutinizing your credit card statements. Why? To make sure that all the purchases on there were made by you and only ...
Views: 963 - Credit Card vs. Debit Card Fraud - by Submitted on Oct 22, 2015 from Robert SicilianoOne difference between a credit card and a debit card is that if there’s an unauthorized charge on your credit card, you just get a little sting. It’s a hassle to straighten out. But no money is taken from you. But if someone gets ahold of your debit card information, the second ...
Views: 1026 - Cyberbullying: Its Uniqueness & Prevention - by Submitted on May 18, 2015 from Robert SicilianoUnfortunately, cyberbullying is prevalent, and a growing threat in today’s always-connected world. Cyberbullying refers to bullying done via computers, or similar technologies, such as cell phones. This kind of bullying usually includes mean or threatening comments, or public posts through ...
Views: 1007 - Data Breach Aftermath - by Submitted on Feb 03, 2015 from Robert SicilianoHaste certainly doesn’t make waste if you’ve suffered from an entity getting hacked resulting in a data breach. Don’t waste a single minute delaying notifying affected accounts! In the case of a credit card company, they will investigate; you won’t have to pay the fraudulent charges. The ...
Views: 970 - Data security policies need teeth to be effective - by Submitted on Feb 09, 2016 from Robert SicilianoBottom line: If you have a data security policy in place, you need to make sure that it’s up to date and contains all of the necessary elements to make it effective. Here are 10 essential items that should be incorporated into all security policies: 1. Manage employee email Many data ...
Views: 922 - Deadbolt, gotta gotta have It - by Submitted on Feb 14, 2015 from Robert SicilianoDeadbolts aren’t hyped up; they really are superior to regular knob locks. Though we keep shaking our head in amazement whenever yet another news story comes out about a burglar or rapist who waltzed through an unlocked door and committed mayhem, it remains a hard fact that many criminals ...
Views: 979 - Deepfakes and the Impact on Cybersecurity Now and in the Future - by Submitted on Jun 25, 2019 from Robert SicilianoCan you believe what you see in a video? Most people say ‘yes,’ but the truth is, you no longer can. We all know that photos can be altered, but videos? Thanks to artificial intelligence, these, too, are being altered at a very quick rate. These videos, known as ...
Views: 639 - Dept. of Homeland Security Computers Vulnerable - by Submitted on Oct 25, 2015 from Robert SicilianoThere’s a problem on the home front: security lapses in the computers of the Secret Service and Immigration and Customs Enforcement, says a report on townhall.com. These departments were recently audited, and weaknesses were revealed. Recently, hackers got into the White House, State ...
Views: 876 - Desperate Teens Turning to Prostitution and Drug Dealing to Survive - by Submitted on Jan 20, 2017 from Robert SicilianoTeenagers across the country are falling into drug dealing, theft, and prostitution in order to eat. This, according to a recent study, which found that poverty has been increasing throughout the U.S. Researchers at the Urban Institute in Washington, D.C. have taken a close look at the ...
Views: 770 - Disinformation i.e. FAKE NEWS: How the Weaponization of Social Media Has You Conned - by Submitted on Nov 13, 2019 from Robert SicilianoThis post takes a hard and honest look at whats happening right now. You either “get it” or you are a victim of whats going on. Victims who read this will trash it and deny the reality of what they read. Denial is warm and comfortable. The truth is cold and can hurt. And nobody likes ...
Views: 885 - Distracted Teen Drivers a Mess - by Submitted on May 09, 2015 from Robert SicilianoWorried about your teen causing a car accident from drinking too much? How about from being distracted too much? According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, distracted driving accounted for 58 percent of medium to severe wrecks involving teenagers, based on analysis of about 1,700 ...
Views: 909 - DNA Tech is Catching Bad Guys and its Great and Scary - by Submitted on Oct 10, 2018 from Robert SicilianoIn 1996, a 12-year-old Washington state girl was raped and murdered. However, it wasn’t until June 2018, that an arrest was made in the case. How did this happen? DNA technology. The man arrested is Gary Hartman, and he is accused of killing and raping 12-year old Michella Welch. Donald ...
Views: 679 - Do Not take that Stupid Facebook Quiz - by Submitted on Oct 11, 2018 from Robert SicilianoWhere should you live in the world? What Game of Thrones family are you in? What is the food that best describes your personality? All of these answers are given and found by doing quizzes on Facebook. You have surely seen them if you use Facebook, and have may have taken these quizzes, but you ...
Views: 604 - Do You Know How to Use a Knife for Survival? - by Submitted on Apr 04, 2018 from Robert SicilianoUsing a knife in a survival situation is a skill that can mean the difference between life and death. But, you have to know how to use the knife. Here is some information: Knife Safety: Carry a fixed-blade knife if you are going outdoors. It is less likely to get broken Always keep a ...
Views: 822 - Do you know what your Kids are doing online? - by Submitted on Nov 13, 2015 from Robert SicilianoYour child is active online. Did it ever occur to you that he or she uses a fake name so that they can’t be identified by you? Chances are, you, the parent, also uses a pseudonym. It’s very common. Cyberspace is full of obvious pseudonyms, but a phony name can also be a regular ...
Views: 921 - Do You Really Need Identity Theft Protection or is it a Waste of Money? - by Submitted on Dec 20, 2017 from Robert SicilianoI see a ton of articles that say identity theft protection is not something you really need. These articles have titles like “ID Theft Protection Does Not Work,” or “The Poor Man’s Guide to ID Theft Protection.” Though some of these articles have a bit of merit, ...
Views: 2757 - Do You Really Need Identity Theft Protection or is it a Waste of Money? - by Submitted on Dec 20, 2017 from Robert SicilianoI see a ton of articles that say identity theft protection is not something you really need. These articles have titles like “ID Theft Protection Does Not Work,” or “The Poor Man’s Guide to ID Theft Protection.” Though some of these articles have a bit of merit, ...
Views: 0 - Does Your Mobile Have Spyware on It? - by Submitted on Oct 19, 2018 from Robert SicilianoYou have a mobile phone, you might think it’s pretty safe, but what you might not realize is that these devices can have spyware on them. Keep in mind, many of the “signs” listed below are everyday normal phone behaviors. But combined, might mean spyware. Here are some of the ...
Views: 694 - Don't be scammed into paying Back Taxes - by Submitted on Mar 31, 2015 from Robert SicilianoIt’s easy to scam someone who did something wrong by telling them they need to fix their mistake. This is why thousands of people get scammed into paying back taxes to the IRS—the IRS has nothing to do with these scams, of course, but the predators prey on peoples’ fear of ...
Views: 942 - Don't Believe These 6 Mobile Security Myths - by Submitted on Jan 24, 2015 from Robert SicilianoSmartphones are picking up popularity. You can now access email, social media, and other things from a device that fits in your pocket (most of the time). And, although we hear about breaches and security flaws in the news, it seems like a lot of us don’t think it applies to our mobile ...
Views: 1076 - Don't mess with this Pint Sized Woman - by Submitted on Jun 29, 2016 from Robert SicilianoApril Marchessault got attacked just after midnight inside her bathroom. At 5-1, she wasn’t intimidated by the 5-7, 200 pound man. Edgardo Montes, 47, got his clock thoroughly cleaned. He was charged with breaking and entering and intent to rape, plus other charges. It all began when ...
Views: 793 - Don't Name Your Dog After Your Password - by Submitted on Jul 15, 2015 from Robert SicilianoRecently I got a puppy for my child. We decided to name the puppy 4wgu23x5#9. My wife,8yysH3m, thought we should name the dog 0x2%#b5. But I’m sure she’ll get over it. Meanwhile, I’m helping my older child with setting up a few social media accounts, and I suggested the two ...
Views: 1037 - Don't Overlook Basement Security - by Submitted on Mar 29, 2018 from Robert SicilianoIf you are like most of us, you probably don’t think much about the security of your basement. However, you might want to start doing that. Why? Because burglars love to get into homes by crawling into the basement. They know that most people don’t put a lot of security there, so it ...
Views: 734 - Don't pick up that USB Drive! - by Submitted on May 20, 2016 from Robert SicilianoWhat a very interesting experiment: Researches randomly deposited 297 USB drives (aka USB stick, flash drive, thumb drive) around the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus. They wanted to see just how many, and how soon after dropping them off, they’d be collected by ...
Views: 726 - Don't Rely on the Password Reset - by Submitted on Jul 25, 2015 from Robert SicilianoThink about your keychain. It probably holds the necessities: car keys, home keys, work keys, miscellaneous keychains you bought on your previous vacations. Now, imagine you have a keychain full of these keys that all look the same, but each only opens a specific door. Sounds kind of like ...
Views: 948 - Don't's and Do's when using Public Wi-Fi - by Submitted on Aug 31, 2015 from Robert SicilianoCurl up in a chair at your favorite coffee house, the aroma of premium coffee filling the air, take a few sips of your 700 calorie latte, and then enter cyberspace. Little do you know that you could have a stalker. Or two. Or 3,000. Because public Wi-Fi is there for the picking for hackers. ...
Views: 916 - DoorDash Admits 4.9 Million Affected by Data Breach - by Submitted on Nov 07, 2019 from Robert SicilianoDoorDash has admitted that it has been the victim of a data breach, which has affected about 4.9 million merchants and people. In a recent blog post, DoorDash announced that it noticed some odd activity early in September from a third-party service. After looking into it, the company found ...
Views: 864 - Dude hacked Lottery Computers - by Submitted on Jun 02, 2015 from Robert SicilianoWho needs psychics to reveal future lottery numbers when you can hack into the state lottery association and tamper with it? That apparently was the reasoning of Eddie Raymond Tipton, 51. Prosecutors believe Tipton inserted a thumb drive into a computer—the one that spits out random ...
Views: 918 - Dust off your digital devices inside and out - by Submitted on Oct 05, 2015 from Robert SicilianoHackers know small companies are more vulnerable to data breaches due to limited resources. Cybersecurity should always be a high priority. But when a company’s IT staff consists of maybe 1-2 people who are provided limited budgets and are constantly solving other tech problems, the focus ...
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