In our third instalment of October – Cyber Security Awareness Month 🖥 🔒 …
These days, we have a strong desire, or even need, to always be connected. Always on our phones, always connected by social apps, social media. This has opened up new security threats in the last decade,
💁♂️ 💁♀️ Social Engineering – one of the oldest forms of bypassing security – talking your way through it! Social engineering is simply the art of manipulation, convincing someone you are entitled to information that you are not. This exploits a person’s natural inclination to trust another, or the willingness to do a kindness or favour. Be wary when you give up information, the person you are talking to may not be entitled to it!
💻 Social Media Safety – we have a tendency to overshare personal details since the advent of social media. Sharing our location, information about our cars, homes, life events. These can all be used by someone to gain further information and secure information in your life!
🎣 Phishing – We all know about what phishing is with our work email addresses warning us about links and unknown senders. Phishing is a very real threat! Phishing is an attempt to bait you into giving up sensitive information, such as impersonating your bank, or other service provider. Be wary of messages that don’t look quite right. Careful to not click links sent to your and if logging into a sensitive account, go straight to the website to login rather than clicking links sent to you. Also be careful you enter website addresses correctly!
😎 Identity Theft – Once access to your personal information is found, identity theft is often the outcome. Protect your personal information, and keep track of your accounts, both financial and non-financial, as unauthorized activity here can quickly lead to a stolen identity!
🧠 AI Content – This is a new one, with the easy of access to AI, AI has been used for many nefarious purposes. It can create fake realistic photos quickly, impersonate a known voice, and many other applications! Again, be careful not to put photos or audio online that can be used to make AI content. Ask lots of questions that only the real person would know. Be skeptical, stop and think if what is happening is realistic.
Be vigilant with the information you share. Be skeptical of messages you receive, and be aware of your online presence!
Photo generated by DALL-E 3 😀
