Tech

No Digital Damsels: A Modern Woman’s Guide To Cybersecurity Strategies

Published

2 years ago

January 24, 2023

Whether you’re a savvy businesswoman, an ingenious entrepreneur, or a kickass content creator, it should come as no surprise that the internet is one of the biggest tools to advance your career in the digital age. Unfortunately, as we continue to use digital technologies in more aspects of our personal and professional lives, the internet has quickly become a place filled with hackers, cybercriminals, as well as a menagerie of malware that aims to wreak havoc and steal sensitive personal data from users.

In truth, nobody is really safe from falling victim to cyberattacks, as malware and hacking methodologies evolve just as rapidly as digital technologies. Because of this, the need for cybersecurity strategies has become more prevalent.

Today, we explore 6 key elements to building the ultimate personal cybersecurity strategy. Read on to learn how you can keep yourself and your growing business safe online over the foreseeable future.

1. Always Use A VPN

VPN services have come a long way since the early days, with services now available on various devices and browsers – from tablets to smartphones, and from Google Chrome to Firefox VPN add-ons. For those who are unfamiliar with the term VPN (or ‘virtual private network’), it’s an encrypted server that hides your IP address from any third parties who may be looking to observe your connection, whether these be eCommerce business owners, government agencies, and hackers or cybercriminals themselves.

A VPN can protect your identity even when using public or shared Wi-Fi networks, ensuring that your data will be kept private from any third parties. Whether you’re sending important information via email, making online banking transactions, or engaging in business-related video conferencing, your data is always at risk when accessing the web. As such, using a VPN is a key element that will help boost your cybersecurity, online privacy, and safety when using the internet.

If you’re looking to keep your personal data and the sensitive information of your partners and clients safe, a VPN should always be your first option.

2. Stay On The Ball With Software Updates

Are you guilty of letting software updates on your phone and computer fall to the wayside? If so, you may unwittingly be putting yourself at risk of experiencing data breaches, hacks, and even falling victim to cybercrime like identity theft. Alongside updating your device with the latest technological advances, software updates help address security flaws or potential vulnerabilities that have been identified in a current or previous version of that application. Regardless of whether you run your own small business or simply use your devices to handle tasks such as online banking, sending emails, or streaming your favourite content during your downtime, the longer you keep outdated or unpatched software running, the higher the risk of falling victim to a hack.

Top Tip For The Busy Modern Woman: If you find that you don’t have the time to manually update your applications or device OS, simply turn on the automatic update option on your device. It is also advisable to ensure that your desktop browser has automatic security updates. Updating browser plugins like QuickTime, Java, or Flash will also strengthen your online security.

3. Use Anti-Virus Protection & Firewalls

One cannot go wrong with installing anti-virus protection software and firewalls on all devices when aiming to amp up any cybersecurity strategy. Anti-virus software is by far one of the best ways to block malware and keep your sensitive data away from the prying eyes of cybercriminals.

On top of basic AV software, using a firewall is also important when defending your data against malicious attacks. Thankfully, both Mac OS X and Windows operating systems come with their own firewalls, namely Windows Firewall and Mac Firewall. However, to add a further layer of protection, you can also choose to use a third-party firewall on your personal router to prevent cybercriminals from targeting your network.

Top Tip For The Busy Modern Woman: Only use anti-virus software from reputable and trusted vendors and only run one AV tool on your device to bolster your security when surfing the web.

4. Utilise Two-Factor Authentication

By definition, two-factor authentication (2FA) is an identity and access management security method that requires two forms of identification to access resources and data. A simple example of 2FA that you would have encountered would be instances in which you are sent a one-time password (OTP) when trying to make a payment online or log into any online account. This two-step process is vital to web security as it immediately neutralizes the risks associated with compromised passwords.

As such, utilizing two-factor authentication is a fantastic way to add additional layers of security to your login details. If any of your passwords are leaked in data breaches, 2FA can help keep your accounts secure whilst you go about changing account information following the said data breach. Even outside of actual data breaches, however, 2FA offers additional layers of security that are growing vital as we delve deeper into the digital age.

5. Beware Of Phishing Scams

Did you know that over 3.4 billion phishing emails are being sent daily, which accounts for trillions of fake emails sent yearly? Unfortunately, many device users all over the world continue to fall for phishing scams as they evolve to become more sophisticated, realistic, and convincing.

The best way to protect yourself from phishing scams is to exercise caution when receiving emails, texts, and phone calls that claim to be from the bank, government, or any other sources that seem reputable on paper. In essence, always be suspicious of the emails and messages you receive, regardless of where it’s appeared to have come from and who’s appeared to have sent it. If you are unsure of the legitimacy of any form of communication, always contact the source directly and refrain from clicking any links, downloading attachments, or entering personal data such as your credit card information without further confirmation. Keep in mind that malicious links can come from trusted friends who have been infected too, so you can never be too careful.

6. Avoid Connecting To Public Wi-Fi

As convenient and cost-effective as connecting to public Wi-Fi may be, users are always advised to avoid connecting to public networks whenever possible. Unfortunately, connecting to public Wi-Fi, regardless if it’s in your favourite cafe, hotel, or school, is never truly risk-free, although the risks decrease significantly when using a virtual private network (VPN).

With that being said, even if you are using a VPN, you should still refrain from performing online banking transactions or making online purchases with your credit card when using a public Wi-Fi network, as cybercriminals can still potentially observe your connection in some capacity and perhaps even gain access to your bank accounts and sensitive information in the process.

To summarise, the best course of action is to only ever use a trusted private network, or if all else fails and you have no option but to use a public (unsecured) network, ensure you are using a VPN to avoid risking your security and safety when accessing the web.

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With all the dangers that await us online, it’s no wonder why cybersecurity is becoming a foremost concern for individuals, businesses, and corporations alike. We hope that today’s article has given you some valuable insight into how you can protect yourself by amping up your cybersecurity strategies as a businesswoman who’s living and working in the digital age.

How do you ensure your safety and security when browsing the web? Be sure to share your own cybersecurity tips and strategies in the comments section below!

News

The Internet is Littered in ‘Educated Guesses’ Without the ‘Education’

Published

1 week ago

October 8, 2024

Nick Kossovan

Although no one likes a know-it-all, they dominate the Internet.

The Internet began as a vast repository of information. It quickly became a breeding ground for self-proclaimed experts seeking what most people desire: recognition and money.

Today, anyone with an Internet connection and some typing skills can position themselves, regardless of their education or experience, as a subject matter expert (SME). From relationship advice, career coaching, and health and nutrition tips to citizen journalists practicing pseudo-journalism, the Internet is awash with individuals—Internet talking heads—sharing their “insights,” which are, in large part, essentially educated guesses without the education or experience.

The Internet has become a 24/7/365 sitcom where armchair experts think they’re the star.

Not long ago, years, sometimes decades, of dedicated work and acquiring education in one’s field was once required to be recognized as an expert. The knowledge and opinions of doctors, scientists, historians, et al. were respected due to their education and experience. Today, a social media account and a knack for hyperbole are all it takes to present oneself as an “expert” to achieve Internet fame that can be monetized.

On the Internet, nearly every piece of content is self-serving in some way.

The line between actual expertise and self-professed knowledge has become blurry as an out-of-focus selfie. Inadvertently, social media platforms have created an informal degree program where likes and shares are equivalent to degrees. After reading selective articles, they’ve found via and watching some TikTok videos, a person can post a video claiming they’re an herbal medicine expert. Their new “knowledge,” which their followers will absorb, claims that Panda dung tea—one of the most expensive teas in the world and isn’t what its name implies—cures everything from hypertension to existential crisis. Meanwhile, registered dietitians are shaking their heads, wondering how to compete against all the misinformation their clients are exposed to.

More disturbing are individuals obsessed with evangelizing their beliefs or conspiracy theories. These people write in-depth blog posts, such as Elvis Is Alive and the Moon Landings Were Staged, with links to obscure YouTube videos, websites, social media accounts, and blogs. Regardless of your beliefs, someone or a group on the Internet shares them, thus confirming your beliefs.

Misinformation is the Internet’s currency used to get likes, shares, and engagement; thus, it often spreads like a cosmic joke. Consider the prevalence of clickbait headlines:

You Won’t Believe What Taylor Swift Says About Climate Change!
This Bedtime Drink Melts Belly Fat While You Sleep!
In One Week, I Turned $10 Into $1 Million!

Titles that make outrageous claims are how the content creator gets reads and views, which generates revenue via affiliate marketing, product placement, and pay-per-click (PPC) ads. Clickbait headlines are how you end up watching a TikTok video by a purported nutrition expert adamantly asserting you can lose belly fat while you sleep by drinking, for 14 consecutive days, a concoction of raw eggs, cinnamon, and apple cider vinegar 15 minutes before going to bed.

Our constant search for answers that’ll explain our convoluted world and our desire for shortcuts to success is how Internet talking heads achieve influencer status. Because we tend to seek low-hanging fruits, we listen to those with little experience or knowledge of the topics they discuss yet are astute enough to know what most people want to hear.

There’s a trend, more disturbing than spreading misinformation, that needs to be called out: individuals who’ve never achieved significant wealth or traded stocks giving how-to-make-easy-money advice, the appeal of which is undeniable. Several people I know have lost substantial money by following the “advice” of Internet talking heads.

Anyone on social media claiming to have a foolproof money-making strategy is lying. They wouldn’t be peddling their money-making strategy if they could make easy money.

Successful people tend to be secretive.

Social media companies design their respective algorithms to serve their advertisers—their source of revenue—interest; hence, content from Internet talking heads appears most prominent in your feeds. When a video of a self-professed expert goes viral, likely because it pressed an emotional button, the more people see it, the more engagement it receives, such as likes, shares and comments, creating a cycle akin to a tornado.

Imagine scrolling through your TikTok feed and stumbling upon a “scientist” who claims they can predict the weather using only aluminum foil, copper wire, sea salt and baking soda. You chuckle, but you notice his video got over 7,000 likes, has been shared over 600 times and received over 400 comments. You think to yourself, “Maybe this guy is onto something.” What started as a quest to achieve Internet fame evolved into an Internet-wide belief that weather forecasting can be as easy as DIY crafts.

Since anyone can call themselves “an expert,” you must cultivate critical thinking skills to distinguish genuine expertise from self-professed experts’ self-promoting nonsense. While the absurdity of the Internet can be entertaining, misinformation has serious consequences. The next time you read a headline that sounds too good to be true, it’s probably an Internet talking head making an educated guess; without the education seeking Internet fame, they can monetize.

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Nick Kossovan, a self-described connoisseur of human psychology, writes about what’s

on his mind from Toronto. You can follow Nick on Twitter and Instagram @NKossovan.

Tech

Tight deadlines on software projects can put safety at risk: survey

Published

1 week ago

October 8, 2024

Anne Joseph

TORONTO – A new survey says a majority of software engineers and developers feel tight project deadlines can put safety at risk.

Seventy-five per cent of the 1,000 global workers who responded to the survey released Tuesday say pressure to deliver projects on time and on budget could be compromising critical aspects like safety.

The concern is even higher among engineers and developers in North America, with 77 per cent of those surveyed on the continent reporting the urgency of projects could be straining safety.

The study was conducted between July and September by research agency Coleman Parkes and commissioned by BlackBerry Ltd.’s QNX division, which builds connected-car technology.

The results reflect a timeless tug of war engineers and developers grapple with as they balance the need to meet project deadlines with regulations and safety checks that can slow down the process.

Finding that balance is an issue that developers of even the simplest appliances face because of advancements in technology, said John Wall, a senior vice-president at BlackBerry and head of QNX.

“The software is getting more complicated and there is more software whether it’s in a vehicle, robotics, a toaster, you name it… so being able to patch vulnerabilities, to prevent bad actors from doing malicious acts is becoming more and more important,” he said.

The medical, industrial and automotive industries have standardized safety measures and anything they produce undergoes rigorous testing, but that work doesn’t happen overnight. It has to be carried out from the start and then at every step of the development process.

“What makes safety and security difficult is it’s an ongoing thing,” Wall said. “It’s not something where you’ve done it, and you are finished.”

The Waterloo, Ont.-based business found 90 per cent of its survey respondents reported that organizations are prioritizing safety.

However, when asked about why safety may not be a priority for their organization, 46 per cent of those surveyed answered cost pressures and 35 per cent said a lack of resources.

That doesn’t surprise Wall. Delays have become rampant in the development of tech, and in some cases, stand to push back the launch of vehicle lines by two years, he said.

“We have to make sure that people don’t compromise on safety and security to be able to get products out quicker,” he said.

“What we don’t want to see is people cutting corners and creating unsafe situations.”

The survey also took a peek at security breaches, which have hit major companies like London Drugs, Indigo Books & Music, Giant Tiger and Ticketmaster in recent years.

About 40 per cent of the survey’s respondents said they have encountered a security breach in their employer’s operating system. Those breaches resulted in major impacts for 27 per cent of respondents, moderate impacts for 42 per cent and minor impacts for 27 per cent.

“There are vulnerabilities all the time and this is what makes the job very difficult because when you ship the software, presumably the software has no security vulnerabilities, but things get discovered after the fact,” Wall said.

Security issues, he added, have really come to the forefront of the problems developers face, so “really without security, you have no safety.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 8, 2024.

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Tech

Beware of scams during Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days sales event: cybersecurity firm

Published

1 week ago

October 8, 2024

Anne Joseph

As online shoppers hunt for bargains offered by Amazon during its annual fall sale this week, cybersecurity researchers are warning Canadians to beware of an influx of scammers posing as the tech giant.

In the 30 days leading up to Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days, taking place Tuesday and Wednesday, there were more than 1,000 newly registered Amazon-related web domains, according to Check Point Software Technologies, a company that offers cybersecurity solutions.

The company said it deemed 88 per cent of those domains malicious or suspicious, suggesting they could have been set up by scammers to prey on vulnerable consumers. One in every 54 newly created Amazon-related domain included the phrase “Amazon Prime.”

“They’re almost indiscernible from the real Amazon domain,” said Robert Falzon, head of engineering at Check Point in Canada.

“With all these domains registered that look so similar, it’s tricking a lot of people. And that’s the whole intent here.”

Falzon said Check Point Research sees an uptick in attempted scams around big online shopping days throughout the year, including Prime Days.

Scams often come in the form of phishing emails, which are deceptive messages that appear to be from a reputable source in attempt to steal sensitive information.

In this case, he said scammers posing as Amazon commonly offer “outrageous” deals that appear to be associated with Prime Days, in order to trick recipients into clicking on a malicious link.

The cybersecurity firm said it has identified and blocked 100 unique Amazon Prime-themed scam emails targeting organizations and consumers over the past two weeks.

Scammers also target Prime members with unsolicited calls, claiming urgent account issues and requesting payment information.

“It’s like Christmas for them,” said Falzon.

“People expect there to be significant savings on Prime Day, so they’re not shocked that they see something of significant value. Usually, the old adage applies: If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.”

Amazon’s website lists a number of red flags that it recommends customers watch for to identify a potential impersonation scam.

Those include false urgency, requests for personal information, or indications that the sender prefers to complete the purchase outside of the Amazon website or mobile app.

Scammers may also request that customers exclusively pay with gift cards, a claim code or PIN. Any notifications about an order or delivery for an unexpected item should also raise alarm bells, the company says.

“During busy shopping moments, we tend to see a rise in impersonation scams reported by customers,” said Amazon spokeswoman Octavia Roufogalis in a statement.

“We will continue to invest in protecting consumers and educating the public on scam avoidance. We encourage consumers to report suspected scams to us so that we can protect their accounts and refer bad actors to law enforcement to help keep consumers safe.”

Falzon added that these scams are more successful than people might think.

As of June 30, the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre said there had been $284 million lost to fraud so far this year, affecting 15,941 victims.

But Falzon said many incidents go unreported, as some Canadians who are targeted do not know how or where to flag a scam, or may choose not to out of embarrassment.

Check Point recommends Amazon customers take precautions while shopping on Prime Days, including by checking URLs carefully, creating strong passwords on their accounts, and avoiding personal information being shared such as their birthday or social security number.

The cybersecurity company said consumers should also look for “https” at the beginning of a website URL, which indicates a secure connection, and use credit cards rather than debit cards for online shopping, which offer better protection and less liability if stolen.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 8, 2024.

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