Protecting Your Turf

Are You Ready When Facebook Moves Everyone to Timeline?

2012-02-02T06:23:00.000-08:00

Notes taken by: Theresa Payton, Fortalice, LLC. Material also featured in WBTV's segment Protecting Your Cyberturf, featuring Kristen Miranda and Theresa Payton.

We told you before about Facebook releasing anew look and feel called timeline. Some of you might already be using itand others may still be on the old look and feel. You need to know thatFacebook is planning to roll it out to everyone. But are you really readyfor it? What about posts you did a year or longer ago? Do youremember those? Studies show that recruiters, prospective mates, andothers research you online and judge what they see. Are you putting yourbest face forward on Facebook?

WBTV’s cyber expert, Theresa Payton, is with us tonight to tellyou what to expect and give you some tips to protect yourself.

Before timeline, those posts were always there but they weren’t aseasy to get to. On the current Facebook format, you have to go to thebottom of the screen, hit older posts, wait for the older posts to queue up,and repeat again and again to go back in time. Not now! Just go totimeline and choose the point in time and presto! It’s there.

5 Tips to clean up your image:
1. Go to your privacy settings, and change the settings for“Who can see posts by others on your timeline” and “Who can post on yourtimeline” to “Friends”.
2. While in the privacy settings page, you can change thesettings for “Maximum Timeline Visibility” to “Friends”.
3. Change “Limit the Audience for Past Posts” to “Friends”
4. Don’t forget you may have posted things on someone else’swall that needs to be reviewed. Check your “Activity Log” to see anyposts you made on someone else’s wall. If you see something that needs tobe removed, delete it.
5. Search through all your old posts to see if there any youshould “delete” or “hide”

Just remember, digital is forever AND when Facebook makes achange, they usually default all privacy settings to wide open.

WORD OF THE WEEK: Veebow
It’s a new shopping app meets coupon site started by Tom Vitale. It’s named after Vallerie Bertinelli, it’s her initials and what he callsher as a nickname. Instead of printing a coupon, the deal is on yourphone and you show it to the merchant.

WEB RESOURCES:
If you want to see how you look to other people on Facebook withTimeline, go to this link https://www.facebook.com/help/?faq=288066747875915&ref_query=tim and follow the instructions.

You can also look for pointers on how to safely use Facebook bygoing to their Safety center at https://www.facebook.com/help/safety and their Privacy center at https://www.facebook.com/fbprivacy

Google Privacy Changes—good, bad, or ho hum?

2012-02-02T06:21:00.000-08:00

Notes taken by: Theresa Payton, Fortalice, LLC. Material also featured in WBTV's segment Protecting Your Cyberturf, featuring Kristen Miranda and Theresa Payton.

Google’s new privacy rules means my data ismore private, right?

Google announced recently that they were making it easier for youto understand their privacy policies. But is it easier to understand anddo we have more or less privacy? Many of you are not sure what to thinkabout how Google treats your information.

Google has not rolled the new changes in yet but will do so onMarch 1st. They said they are eliminating 70 different privacy documentsand creating one document across all of their services.   Soundsgreat, doesn’t it? How many of you read all 70 documents? WBTV’scyber expert, Theresa Payton, talks about what she likes about the changes andwhere she has some concerns.

Why this is a concern.
1. There is no obvious “opt out” feature
2. Cybercriminals will have a new target - trying to tapinto the aggregated data
3. Privacy experts warn that the more they know about youcould play into the online offers you receive or don’t receive which would bediscrimination

8 TIPS TO PROTECT YOURSELF:
1. Don’t use Google for everything. Try out differentsearch engines, browsers, and services.
2. You can opt out of services like personalized ads bygoing to your main Google account.
3. Check your web browser to see if you can block ad cookiesand plug ins. Chrome and the newest version of Firefox help you do this.
4. If Google Streetview really gives you the creeps, go totheir website at http://maps.google.com/intl/en_us/help/maps/streetview/privacy.html and asked for the picture to be blurred through their “Report aProblem” option.
5. Google allows you to decide what it tracks using itsfeature called Web History Controls at https://www.google.com/history/?hl=en
6. You can prevent chat sessions from being logged by Googleby choosing their “off the record” options. Tips on how to do this are athttp://support.google.com/talk/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=29291
7. Choose one browser to open your Google products and adifferent browser with private browsing turned on for your other products. This will limit some, but not all, of the tracking.
8. Go to Google’s dashboard to get a complete view of whoGoogle thinks you are by your internet habits when you use their products at https://www.google.com/dashboard

WORD OF THE WEEK:   Kelihos
The Kelihos botnet was temporarily shut down by companies, Microsoftand Kaspersky, but it’s back on the prowl looking for new targets. Atit’s hey day, it was sending 4 billion spam messages a day luring in computerusers with pornography, stock tips, and cheap prescription drugs.

WEB RESOURCES:
To learn more about the new policy, Google has posted informationthat you can reference at
www.google.com/privacy_center

Shed Pounds Without Adding Unwanted Spam

2012-02-02T06:19:00.001-08:00

Notes taken by: Theresa Payton, Fortalice, LLC. Material also featured in WBTV's segment Protecting Your Cyberturf, featuring Kristen Miranda and Theresa Payton.

Most Americans want to be fit and healthy andsome of you are watching your weight. So, when your friend posts anote about a diet that is working for them on Facebook, of course you are goingto cheer them on and you might even want to know what’s their secret. Butthere’s a catch, it is possible that your friend did not post that note at all.

Be careful out there, lots of scams floating around. Someoffer free airline tickets. Some are pretty obvious. This one mightnot be as obvious. WBTV’s cyber expert, Theresa Payton, explains what tolook for in this tricky adds that might help you shed pounds but you’ll pack onthe spam.

Tips:
1. Antivirus: Keep your antivirus up to date.
2. Browser: Check your browser settings to see if youcan turn on an alert function for websites that might be consideredquestionable or dangerous to visit.
4. Don’t click!: Resist the temptation to click onlinks in Facebook - message your friend first to ask more or do researchon your own without clicking that link
5. Alert: If you see something that looks like a scam,do everyone a favor, and post a message on that person’s wall so they canremove it and others can be spared the hassle of getting infected
6. Be Aware: There are some great Facebook pages thatkeep up with the latest scams. Two favorites are Facecrooks and Sophos. Scan these regularly or when you see a tempting link.

WORD OF THE WEEK:
Digerati: Chances are youmight be one of these or want to be. The term is a mashup of literati anddigital. It refers to the hip, cool, in the know people in thedigital world.

WEB RESOURCES:
To keep up on the latest Facebook scams, check out Facecrooks at https://www.facebook.com/Facecrooks or Sophos at https://www.facebook.com/SophosSecurity .

Facebook also has a safety page at: https://www.facebook.com/help/safety and a security page at: https://www.facebook.com/security that also offers tips to spot and avoid scams.

Theresa Payton Named One of Charlotte Business Leader's 2012 Top 50 Entrepreneurs

2012-01-19T08:11:00.001-08:00

Congratulations to Fortalice founder, Theresa Payton, for being selected for Business Leader’s 2012 Top 50 Entrepreneur Award! Her profile will be included in the February issue of Business Leader magazine among all the Top 50 Entrepreneurs winners. She will also will be honored at an award ceremony held on Tuesday February 21, 2012. More details to come!

Ashton Kutcher Fights Back After His Social Media Account Is Hacked…But Should You?

2012-01-19T08:00:00.000-08:00

Ashton Kutcher’s Foursquare and Twitteraccounts hacked. Learn what not to do if this happens to you.

It would be tempting wouldn’t it? If someone took over yoursocial media accounts, tweeted embarassing posts and when you finally get youraccounts back from them you threaten them on the very accounts they justhacked.

We all have friends who get their accounts hacked, have to gettheir passwords reset, and hope that nobody clicks on the crazy links sent bythe hackers. This gets even crazier when big names, like Ashton Kutcher,have their accounts hacked into. Ashton has roughly 9 million followersthat are bound to click on the bad links. But taking matters into yourown hands and fighting back on your own account might sound like sweet revengebut WBTV’s cyber expert, Theresa Payton, thinks that’s not such a good idea...

THE BIZARRE POSTS:
The hackers posted tweets about a sleepover that Ashton had withhis new girlfriend and included links to her house. The problem is, itwasn’t Ashton, it was the hacker going through Ashton’s Foursquare account toTwitter.

Kutcher then posts to Twitter that he knows the account was hackedand that he knows their address!

Kutcher has since deleted the posts including one that said, “I’mcoming for you my friend” and posts a location

TIPS:
1. Don’t do this. You will antagonize the hacker. Remember, if you do check ins or tweets with location turned on, the hackerknows where you’ve been and can probably predict where you will be.
2. Report it immediately to your social networking site. Change every password you have and make them all different across youraccounts.
3. Send out a notice to all your followers, friends, andfamily that your account was recently taken over and to be wary of links onposts.

WORD OF THE WEEK:
DOODLE: This is cool little scheduling app. There is afree service and a paid service. Having a tough time scheduling thatcarpool? Trying to get a lunch pulled together? This allows you tosend a targeted email, suggested times, and people pick and choose what works. You get one view of what works best for everyone. No more emails back andforth. Again, be careful how much you share. Confidential meetingsshould be handled the old fashioned way - phone calls!

WEB RESOURCES:

Our word of the week, Doodle, can be found at: http://doodle.com/

If your Twitter account is hacked, Twitter has helpful resourcesat:

http://support.twitter.com/articles/31796

For some pictures of the Tweets (you can’t find them on Twitterbecause they were deleted!) go to Graham Cluley’s webpage at Sophos:
http://nakedsecurity.sophos.com/2012/01/16/ashton-kutcher-foursquare-twitter-hack/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+nakedsecurity+(Naked+Security+-+Sophos)&utm_content=Google+Reader

What is SOPA and why should we be concerned?

2012-01-19T07:58:00.001-08:00

Websites went dark on the internet. So many, that youmight have been wondering if there was a widespread outage. But it was onpurpose. Web sites around the globe took themselves offline for 24 hoursto protest two U.S. bills being proposed on Capitol Hill. These bills aredesigned to stop piracy which sounds like a great idea. So, what arethese websites upset about and why should you be concerned?

SOPAand PIPA might sound like cute characters from a cartoon but they are actuallythe acronyms for the laws being proposed in DC. SOPA - STOP ONLINE PIRACYACT and PIPA Protect IP Act. These bills are so controversial thatWikipedia, WordPress, Google and many others either took themselves offline orchanged their sites to show their protests of the bill. They say thesebills are too far reaching and would actually take the legitimate sites thatyou know and love offline. WBTV’s cyber expert, Theresa Payton, explainswhat the fuss is all about.

WHATARE THESE BILLS MEANT TO DO?
1. Media companies, music companies, anyone who develops products want abetter way to fight piracy. Today, they sue individual users or work withthe U.S. government officials to try to shut down domains. This getsalmost impossible to do with the internet pirates are overseas.

2. SOPA which is the House Bill and PIPA which is the Senate bill are aimedmainly at foreign web sites that have printed copyrighted or counterfeitedmaterials or goods illegally.

Anexample of a site considered an online treasure for pirated information is “ThePirate Bay” .

SOMEHAVE VOICED CONCERNS:
1. Shut down without a voice: there is no appeal process before thesite is shut down. So, if sites are shut down but it was “mistakenidentity” and actually a legitimate site, it could hurt the business owners
2. Technology experts are concerned that the language in the bill couldleave companies open to internet censorship as various sites, topics orservices become a target
3. Links you share on social networks and even emails might be monitored andpotentially removed if it is believed to be promoting piracy or copyrightinfringement
4. Sites that let the communities drive content are concerned that if thecommunity posts something that is considered a violation that the entire sitewill be pulled down

WHATSHOULD BE DONE INSTEAD?
Manyinternet openness advocates say, do nothing. Use the laws we already have andenforce them better. An alternative bill called Online Protection andEnforcement of Digital Trade Act (OPEN) has also been propose that would sendany accusations of piracy to the US International Trad Commission first beforetaking a site offline or other actions.

WORDOF THE WEEK:
PINTEREST: A mash up on pinboard and interests. It’s a really cool site whereyou set up a profile of interests and you can pin up things that you love aswell. From wedding plans to travel tips to fitness andarchitecture. It’s all there. Just be careful how much personalinformation you share about yourself while you pin up your favorites!

WEBRESOURCES:
TheLibrary of Congress has posted the text for the Bills at the following links:

SOPA: http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c112:H.R.3261:
PIPA: http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c112:S.968:

Thealternative bill proposed is called OPEN> If you want to see a draftof the bill and comment on it, go to:
http://keepthewebopen.com/

Ifyou want to know if your elected official is sponsoring these bills, theCo-Sponsors are listed at:
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d112:HR03261:@@@P

PCWorld is tracking the progress of the bills at: http://www.pcworld.com/article/248298/sopa_and_pipa_just_the_facts.html

Fora graphical illustration, check out Mashable’s infographic at: http://mashable.com/2011/11/16/sopa-infographic/

Youcheck out the word of the week, PINTEREST at http://pinterest.com/

Beware the TypoSquatters!

2012-01-06T08:18:00.000-08:00

Notes taken by: Theresa Payton, Fortalice, LLC. Content also to be featured in an upcoming episode of WBTV's Protecting Your Cyberturf with Kristen Miranda and Theresa Payton.

This week we are starting first with our Word of the Week which is TYPOSQUATTERS. There are thousands of them on the web. TYPOSQUATTERS are people that purposely create a domain name based on frequent typos internet users make when they try to visit popular sites. Sometimes typosquatters are just using it as a technique to drive traffic to their own business but you need to know about this for another reason - cybercriminals love to typosquat!

Because cybercriminals go where the action is, they wait for websites to get popular and then they register domain names based on popular mis-spellings of the real website. Once the typosquatter lures you to their site, they use all types of tricks to get you to give them your personal information or to click on links so they can install malware on your computer.

WHY THEY DO IT:
1. The typosquatters love household brand names and large companies such as Walmart and Apple - the bigger they are, the more traffic that might come there way via a typo

2. They can lure customers to these rogue sites and take information or infect their computers

3. In some cases, they know that people will mis-spell the domain name for email accounts and they will read any emails sent to the wrong domain name.

RECENT TYPOSQUATTER EXAMPLES:

Instead of Walmart.com some people typed in Wallmatt.com

Apple.com became Appple.com

Youtube.com was replaced with Yuube.com

Airfrance.com with Arifrance.com

Researchers at one firm set up typosquat domain names to test out a theory that people mis-spell domain names often on email addresses sent to companies. In this test they were able to gather over 20 megabytes of information via emails sent with a typo in the email domain name!

WHAT YOU CAN DO:
1. Slow down: We are all multi tasking and surfing the net on various devices. Before you hit enter, double check the website.
2. Frequent visitors: Use bookmarks for sites you visit frequently.
3. Report: If you see typosquatting or suspect you have, report it to www. FTC.gov and to the actual merchant you were trying to visit. Most companies have a “contact us” form on the internet that you can use.
4. Beat the Typosquatters: If you own domain names, consider purchasing close spellings or popular mis-spellings of the domain.

Some companies are so worried about their customers that they purposely create mis-spelled domain names and send redirects to the correct site.

For example: If you accidentally type in amzon.com, Amazon will redirect you to www.amazon.com

This problem is so serious that Facebook has actually sued typosquatters for creating sites spelled similar to Facebook.com such as facebobk.com and facemook.com.

WEB RESOURCES:

You can actually check for variations on a website name. Remember, not all variations of a website means they are criminals, some might be legitimate.

An interesting test you can try is on the Vera Labs site at: http://veralab.com/dnsdomainsearch/typo-squatters.jsp

A Clean Sweep of Social Media Permissions!

2012-01-06T08:14:00.000-08:00

Notes taken by: Theresa Payton, Fortalice, LLC. Content also to be featured in an upcoming episode of WBTV's Protecting Your Cyberturf segment with Kristen Miranda and Theresa Payton.

Managing your social life on the net can take time. You have email, Facebook, Twitter and other sites you feel like you need to come up with. That’s why a lot of you like to link your accounts together. This can be helpful but over time you may have too many apps linked or snooping on your social media life.

Who doesn’t want to simplify their life by letting their photo sharing app talk to their social media accounts so it’s one click and you share that funny photo with friends? But, WBTV’s Cyber Expert, Theresa Payton, warns that too many apps with access to your accounts makes you more vulnerable to cybercriminals and cybercreeps.

THREE QUICK TIPS:
1. THINK TWICE: Be wary of giving permissions to other apps - you really have no idea how they treat your data or safeguard your id and password
2. MONTHLY SWEEPS: Make it a point once a month to look at each social media account and review, change or delete the permissions you have granted to apps for each social media account
3. DIFFERENT PASSWORDS: Use different passwords across your social media accounts

To make your clean sweep easier, there is a fun new tool out there, you can try out this tool at:
http://mypermissions.org/.

WORD FOR THE WEEK:
Googleganger

A play on the word, doppleganger. This is when you do a search of your own name on Google and you see people with your exact name but they are not you. This can be fun or even a little shocking depending upon what your Googleganger has been up to.

For example, Kristen Miranda! She’s not just an anchor and reporter at WBTV. There is another Kristen Miranda working in the health insurance industry! Another Kristen Miranda is attending medical school. Kristen sure has a lot of interesting Googlegangers.

WEB RESOURCES:
For a one page reference to several popular social media accounts, try My Permissions at http://mypermissions.org

To check app permissions on Facebook, go to http://www.Facebook.com/editapps.php

To check Twitter, go to https://twitter.com/settings/applications

Each Social Media account is different so be sure to check each account.

Bluetooth: Be Wary

2012-01-06T08:10:00.000-08:00

Notes taken by: Theresa Payton, Fortalice, LLC. Also featured in WBTV's Protecting Your Cyberturf segment featuring Kristen Miranda and Theresa Payton.

Many of us use and love Bluetooth technology. You can use it to send a document

from your laptop to a printer in another room via a radio frequency. It’s easy to

set up and convenient to use! But you might want to think twice about what you

use it for because that easy connection for you can also be an easy connection for a

cybercreep. WBTV’s cyber expert, Theresa Payton, explains what you need to do to

protect yourself.

THE RISKS:

1. You may be shouting out your information via your voice

2. What makes Bluetooth easy to work for you, can make it open to someone to

eavesdrop.

Have you ever been at a house where the baby monitor or the cordless phones pick

up the neighbor’s conversations? This is sort of like that.

It’s also less about your actual Bluetooth itself and the fact that many people walk

around with the Bluetooth enabled on their smartphone when they don’t use it

which means it’s open for cybercreeps to Bluetooth their way in.

When you have Bluetooth turned on but not in use, you are basically broadcasting

that your phone is on & available for other to Bluetooth to it!

HOW THEY DO IT:

A hacker can run a program on the computer that scans for Bluetooth connections.

When they find one, bingo, they connect and they are in.

WHAT THEY TYPICALLY STEAL:

What do they take? Typically things like your address book, possibly your calendar,

photos, using your phone to make long distance calls, or they may turn your phone

into an impromptu speaker and listen to your conversations.

3 TIPS TO PROTECT YOURSELF:

1. Turn your Bluetooth to “off” on devices such as your phone when not using the

Bluetooth feature

2. You can also look at your manufacturer settings to see if there is a “hidden”

or “private” mode

3. Refrain from sensitive and personal conversations using the Bluetooth device

WORD OF THE WEEK:

Snarfing: A blend of two words “snort” and “scarf” which are techie terms for

stealing data over wireless. If you snoop or steal data on a Bluetooth device it is

called Bluesnarfing

Bluetooth offers a page dedicated to security questions:

http://bluetooth.com/English/Technology/Works/Security/Pages/SecurityQA.aspx

BlackBerry users can find help on how to secure their BlueTooth connection at:

http://docs.blackberry.com/en/admin/deliverables/16648/

Protecting_Bluetooth_connections_on_a_BB_843702_11.jsp

Contact your phone service provider with any security questions you might have.

SCAM ALERT...busy month indeed

2011-12-26T14:23:00.000-08:00

Don't let scammers take advantage of your charitable notions this holiday season!

From: "Mrs. Safia Farkash Gadhafi"<test@bgctv.com>
Subject: I NEED YOUR HELP
Date: December 10, 2011 2:50:00 AM EST
To: undisclosed-recipients:;
Reply-To: <mrs.safiafarkashgadhafi72@yahoo.com>

Hello,

I am Mrs. Safia Farkash Gadhafi the wife of the late Libyan Leader Colonel Muammar Gadhafi. Following the recent rebellion in my country and the brutal death of my husband on the 20 Oct 2011, I have been thrown into a state of utter confusion, frustration and hopelessness; I have been subjected to physical and psychological torture by the security agents in Algeria where we seek refuge at present.

My son was killed by the rebels for an offense he did not commit. As a widow that is so traumatized, I have lost confidence with anybody within the country. You must have heard over the media reports and the internet on the recovery of various huge sums of money deposited by my husband in different security firms abroad, some companies willingly give up their secrets and disclosed our money confidently lodged there or many outright blackmail. In fact the total sum discovered by the Government so far is in the tune of $900 Million Dollars. And they are not relenting to make me poor for life; I got your contact email address through my research and out of desperation decided to reach you through this medium. I will give you more information as to this regard as soon as you reply. I repose great confidence in you hence my approach to you due to security network placed on my day to day affairs I cannot afford to visit the embassy so that is why I decided to contact you and I hope you will not betray my confidence

I shall be grateful if you could receive this fund into your account for safe keeping. This arrangement is known to you and me alone. I am seriously considering relocating to your country once the fund is transferred to you. I will be willing to offer you 30% of the total fund if only you will receive this fund and keep it for us.

Please note that honesty is the watch word in this transaction. I will require your full names and address and telephone so that we can commence communication immediately and I will give you a more detailed picture of things. In case you don’t accept please do not let me out to the security as I am giving you this information in total trust and confidence .I will greatly appreciate if you accept my proposal in good faith.

I appreciate your timely suggestion and interest over this matter

Best Regards

Mrs. Safia Farkash Gadhaf

On the 12th day of Christmas, someone sent to me...

2011-12-26T14:20:00.000-08:00

Another scam! Read below! It would appear that cyber criminals were almost as busy as Santa's elves this season!

From: "Mrs Betty Wright"<unitednationss@imail.com>
Subject: *****SPAM***** TRANSFER BY INSTALLMENT ACCEPTED BY THE BANK
Date: December 10, 2011 7:21:51 AM EST
To: undisclosed-recipients:;

Spam detection software, running on the system "stickyadsserver", has
identified this incoming email as possible spam. The original message
has been attached to this so you can view it (if it isn't spam) or label
similar future email. If you have any questions, see
admin for details.

Content preview: INTERNATIONAL FUNDS TRANSFER / AUDIT UNIT) SUBJECT: TRANSFER
BY INSTALLMENT ACCEPTED BY THE BANK Independent of UN Organization Westminster,
City of London SW1A 2EL, United Kingdom Tel: +447011196495 [...]

Content analysis details: (7.3 points, 5.0 required)

pts rule name description
---- ---------------------- --------------------------------------------------
-1.4 ALL_TRUSTED Passed through trusted hosts only via SMTP
1.8 SUBJ_ALL_CAPS Subject is all capitals
0.7 MSOE_MID_WRONG_CASE MSOE_MID_WRONG_CASE
2.0 ADVANCE_FEE_2 Appears to be advance fee fraud (Nigerian 419)
4.2 FORGED_MUA_OUTLOOK Forged mail pretending to be from MS Outlook

From: "Mrs Betty Wright"<unitednationss@imail.com>
Subject: TRANSFER BY INSTALLMENT ACCEPTED BY THE BANK
Date: December 10, 2011 7:21:51 AM EST
To: undisclosed-recipients:;
Reply-To: <unitednationss@imail.com>

INTERNATIONAL FUNDS TRANSFER / AUDIT UNIT)
SUBJECT: TRANSFER BY INSTALLMENT ACCEPTED BY THE BANK
Independent of UN Organization
Westminster, City of London SW1A 2EL,
United Kingdom Tel: +447011196495

Attention:

Having understood your unstable situation, we in United Nations begged the First Bank Of Nigeria ,Lagos Branch to accept payment by installment on your behalf, to enable our beneficiaries receive their payment that we may reconcile with all countries of the world. We understood your plight as someone who has suffered a lot to get this fund into your private account.

Write the Bank and request that you want the money to be transferred to your account by installments, so that once the first payments enters into your account you can then use money from there to facilitate the transfer of the rest, once the first installments enters into your account that will equally give you another opportunity to do a test-transfer and withdrawal from your account to master Federal Reserve Online transfer procedure.

Suggestions:

If 50% of $600 is equal to = $300

By calculations: if $600 can handle US$10M $300 can also comfortably transfer the sum of US$5M. Once the US$5M is successfully transfer, you can withdraw money from there to handle the transfer of the rest US$5M.

NOTE: Write the Bank to tell them how much you have in hands so that the Bank calculate to tell how much you may receive as first payments-by installments, Do not be shy to indicate the amount you have in hands (no proper-amount is so small to trigger installments-payment base on our discussion with the Bank) so that the first payment will move to your account for you to confirm the existence of the fund before your proceed for the balance.

Finally, we have given instructions to the First Bank of Nigeria to release your Fund to you, so you are therefore advice to contact the GMD (Group Managing Director), First Bank of Nigeria with the following information. Person: Rev John Ikechukwu (GMD, First Bank of Nigeria) Office email address below:

Email: firstbankinternationaldept@rocketmail.com

Send him your direct phone number and contact address as we sincerely apologize for the plight you have gone through in the past years while trying to receive your money. Thanks for adhering to this instruction and once again accept our congratulations.

MRS. BETTY WRIGHT.
PERSONAL ASSISTANCE TO MR. BAN KI-MOON
(UN) SECRETARY GENERAL
Copyright (c) 2011
United Nation Organization
All Rights Reserved

And another scam to go with that last one...

2011-12-26T14:19:00.000-08:00

Note: If you receive this message, DO NOT OPEN THE ATTACHMENT.

From: "KASSYM-JOMART TOKAYEV"<skiersteve@aol.com>
Subject: Good News
Date: December 10, 2011 2:55:06 PM EST
Reply-To: <directorgeneral@wwjd.ru>

THE UNITED NATIONS OFFICE AT GENEVA
FROM: KASSYM-JOMART TOKAYEV,
DIRECTORS-GENERAL.

Dear Sir/Madam,

We wish to bring to your notice the outcome of the meeting of the Governing Body of the United Nations Organization which came to an end on Tuesday 11:29:2011 in United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG) under the auspices of our Secretary General Mr. Ban Ki-moon in favor of all the affected contractors, fund inheritors and scam victims.

Please read the message attached for full details

Respectfully,
KASSYM-JOMART TOKAYEV
Directors-General of UNOG.

One of the many scams this holiday season!

2011-12-26T14:17:00.000-08:00

From: "IMF"<info@idium.net>
Subject: Your Pending Payment
Date: December 10, 2011 8:34:49 AM EST
Reply-To: <imf.org.complaints@gmail.com>

IMF WORLD REGULATORY OFFICE
INTERNATIONAL FUNDS REGULATORY AUTHORITY
INTER-CONTINENTAL DEBT RECONCILIATION DEPT.
FROM THE DESK OF: HONORABLE MRS. CAROLYN EDWARD
DIRECTOR; IMF World Regulatory Office.
REF: UN/IPBN/IMF/12/11/2011
1900 Pennsylvania Ave NW,
Washington, DC, 20431
Email: imfcomplaintsdept@w.cn

Attention:

Your pending fund of Three Million Eight Hundred Thousand United States Of America Dollars($3,800,000:00 USD).Contact our Consultant with the information below for more information ;

Mr Mark Allen,
Senior Regional Representative
Regional Office for Central Africa
International Monetary Fund
Telephone: +229 6815 8955
Email: mark_allen@consultant.com

Provide the following information for verification;

Name

Address

Tel/Fax

Occupation

A scanned copy of any valid ID or International Passport

We do request your coperation and advise that information are kept confidential.

Sincerely Yours,

Mrs Monica Lenz
IMF EXTERNAL RELATIONS DEPARTMENT
Public Relation Officer On Financial Matters;IMF

CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE:
This transmission may contain confidential information protected by State or Federal law. The information is intended only for use consistent with the stated business discussed in this transmission.If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any disclosure, copying, distribution, or the taking of any action based on the contents is strictly prohibited. If you have received this transmission ;Note that you are among the list of Beneficiaries approved for payment.Notify the sender
immediately.Your cooperation is appreciated.

AMERICA NOW TIP #2

2011-12-26T13:50:00.000-08:00

Theresa Payton, founder of Fortalice, LLC. serves on the expert panel as a Cyber Expert for America Now! News (http://www.americanownews.com/story/16190165/theresa-payton). Here are some highlights from her second segment:

America Now! Tip #2: How to Avoid Unsafe Websites

We have been warned to stay away from fake websites and sites known for infecting computers. But how can you tell just by looking at it that the site is just not safe?

Our tipster, Theresa Payton shares her tips for spotting shady sites...

3 Tips to Avoid Surfing Unsafe Sites:

1. Don't click on links in emails, go to the site yourself by typing it in or using a search engine

2. Before clicking on a site that you have never visited before do some research in a search engine first. Try the website name + "scam" to see what pops up

3. You can use tools to help you with safe surfing. One free and easy tool is McAfee's site: http://www.siteadvisor.com and type the site name for their opinion

AMERICA NOW TIP #1

2011-12-26T13:34:00.000-08:00

Theresa Payton, founder of Fortalice, LLC. (www.fortalicesolutions.com), has been invited by America Now news to serve as an expert authority for cyber security. Visit her section at http://www.americanownews.com/story/16190165/theresa-payton to check out the most current advice on threats in the Cyber world and ask questions of your own!

Notes taken from Theresa Payton's first America Now! segment

Tip #1: TP on Speedy, Strong Passwords

We all have too many passwords to remember, don't we? And experts tell us to make them hard to guess. Well, if we make the too hard, we ourselves will not remember them. But don't fear...our tipster, Theresa Payton shares her tips for speedy, strong passwords...

Strong passwords use upper case and lower case letters, numbers, and special characters.

Try these tips to create a tough one to guess (but easy to remember!):

1. Create a Phrase

2. Choose the first letter of each word

3. Replace some letters with special characters

For Example:

"I LOVE TO WATCH THE SUPER BOWL!" = I<32wtSB!

Just remember, never repeat the exact password twice across accounts so add some flair to make them different, but still easy to remember.

Another example: (for your frequent flier account)- use only something about travel you would know

"Lost my luggage in LA"

TEXTING BEHIND THE WHEEL A DEADLY HABIT

2011-12-15T11:57:00.000-08:00

Notes by: Theresa Payton, Fortalice, LLC. Also featured in WBTV's segment Protecting Your Cyberturf featuring Theresa Payton and Kristen Miranda.

TEXTING BEHIND THE WHEEL A DEADLY HABIT

Recently a young man died after receiving and sending texts causing him to slam into a truck in front of him and triggering a major highway incident. This habit of reading, responding to, or writing texts is a dangerous practice. But now the Government wants to get involved and tell you what you can and cannot do behind the wheel of your car.

How many times lately have you seen someone driving too slow, too fast, or even running a red light and you caught them texting behind the wheel? Well the National Transportation Safety Board has said enough is enough. They are proposing that texting and talking on a cell phone be illegal for all drivers across all 50 states. But is this going to extremes? WBTV’s cyber expert, Theresa Payton, gives us the rundown on what might happen.

IT’S HARMLESS AND I DRIVE FINE:
According to a test conducted by Car and Driver magazine and other studies, no you don’t!

Car and Driver tested drivers reading texts and sending texts. They used a simulation of another car with brake lights to time how long it took them to react.
Next, they asked the subjects to drink alcohol until they hit .08 BAC and then asked them to drive and react to the same brake light test.

(Don’t worry, the tests were done on a long strip without other cars!)

When do you think they drove better? When they had the .08 BAC!
We know that drinking and driving is dangerous, many establishments encourage you to take a cab instead of driving. Now we know that texting while driving is actually more unsafe!

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
The NTSB has drafted a new set of rules about cell phone use by drivers of a moving car

The NTSB cannot mandate any guidelines. The States can ignore the NTSB guidelines, adopt some, or adopt all of the guidelines

Research from Virginia Tech showed that even hands free phone headsets do not eliminate the distractions presented when talking on the phone while driving

NTSB has said, “No call, no text, no update is worth a human life.”

They may make allowances for on board systems like OnStar or cell phone based GPS systems
If you are for or against the ban, you can leave comments for the NTSB or direct them to the Governor’s office of the state that you live in.

WORD OF THE WEEK: Zoo. Sometimes researchers will create their own computer viruses to test them in a controlled lab to see what the viruses do. Because they cage in these viruses to make sure they don’t accidentally get out on the internet, they call it a zoo!

WEB RESOURCES:
You can follow the plans at the National Transportation Safety Board at:
http://www.ntsb.gov/

The Governor’s State Highway Association tracks laws, by state, regarding talking or texting on cell phones at:
http://www.ghsa.org/html/stateinfo/laws/cellphone_laws.html

You can view the Car and Driver magazine’s test results and watch a video at:
http://www.caranddriver.com/features/texting-while-driving-how-dangerous-is-it

CYBERBULLYING APP ATROCITY

2011-12-15T11:52:00.000-08:00

Notes by: Theresa Payton, Fortalice, LLC. Also covered in WBTV's segment Protecting Your Cyberturf featuring Theresa Payton and Kristen Miranda.

CYBERBULLYING APP ATROCITY

3 million. That’s the number of times an “ugly meter” app has been downloaded to smart phones so far and it’s alarming children advocates that are trying to fight cyberbullying. Cyberbullying has disastrous consequences. Kids end up depressed, with low esteem, and some have even taken their own lives in despair. No good can come from this meter.

This has become a popular app in the Apple store and it’s called UGLY METER. The latest version of the app even has a “Bully Mode” to help you come up with mean things to say and make it even easier to post photos with mean comments on the web. WBTVs cyber expert Theresa Payton has an alert for all our viewers.

HOW IT WORKS:
1. download the app
2. run photos through it
3. the software uses facial details in the photo and the program rates the face on an ugly meter on a scale of 0 to 10
4. the software then adds a nasty taunt to the photo which you can post together on the web

We highly recommend you check all your home computers and smart phones to make sure your family is not using this app.

WORD OF THE WEEK:
BITCOIN: It’s a play on words. It’s coins in the digital word. The “bit” is it is digital currency. The coin can represent money or something of value like points or badges in a game. It enables fast payments between people in any location. Similar idea to PayPal except there is no central organization managing the payments. It provides sender and receiver some anonymity. It’s popular with gamers. Use with caution.

RESOURCES:
Web site of the creator of the Ugly App Meter: http://www.dappergentlemen.com/uglymeter/index.html

Parent and Teacher resources to help combat cyberbullying:

Stop Cyberbullying: http://www.stopcyberbullying.org/

Fortalice LLC tracks cyberbullying and other internet issues: www.FortaliceSolutions.com
Cyberbullying Research Center: http://www.cyberbullying.us/

Girl related cyberbullying: http://www.awaythrough.com/

DIGITAL REALLY DOES MEAN FOREVER WITH TWITTER

2011-12-15T11:49:00.000-08:00

Notes by: Theresa Payton, Fortalice, LLC. Material also covered in WBTV's segment Protecting Your Cyberturf featuring Kristen Miranda and Theresa Payton.

DIGITAL REALLY DOES MEAN FOREVER WITH TWITTER

It’s hard to remember life before Twitter but there may come a day when Twitter is not the “it” thing anymore. But did you know that your tweets will have an afterlife? That’s right, the U.S. Government is collecting every single tweet, from comments about the first cup of java on a Monday morning to Tsunami information to the protests in Egypt, every tweet has been collected for preservation.

We say this all the time - digital is forever but that saying has gone to a new level! The Library of Congress collects information that might be vital to our Nation’s history. That mission extends to digital data but they usually don’t collect everything digital and hold it forever...except for tweets! WBTV’s cyber expert, Theresa Payton, explains.

WHAT WE KNOW:
The Library of Congress said they are not collecting “private” tweets which might mean the direct message function but they are collecting all tweets, regardless of topic, and storing them forever.

We told you previously the National Archives was collecting tweets and storing them but their focus was much more limited.

So the question is, what will the future do with the tweets of today? Care to retract any tweets?

WORD OF THE WEEK:
NETCATION: It’s a mashup of two words: internet and vacation. We all probably need more of this, a vacation from not just work but the internet too. So you might see someone on Facebook or Twitter say, “Sorry I haven’t posted in a while, I took a netcation”.

RESOURCES:
Twitter’s privacy policy:
https://twitter.com/privacy/previous/version_2

To share ideas and comments about Twitter being archived and other topics go to this page at the National Archives website: http://www.archives.gov/social-media/policies/idea-forum-comment-policy.html

See what the Library of Congress said on Twitter at:
http://twitter.com/#!/librarycongress/status/12169442690

EVERYONE’S A PEEPING TOM WITH THE NEW FACEBOOK GLITCH

2011-12-15T11:44:00.000-08:00

Notes by: Theresa Payton, Fortalice, LLC. Also featured in the WBTV segment Protecting Your Cyberturf with Kristen Miranda and Theresa Payton.

EVERYONE’S A PEEPING TOM WITH THE NEW FACEBOOK GLITCH

We have talked to you before about how “digital is forever” and to assume that your personal conversations could be exposed, but many of us still expect a reasonable amount of privacy if we take the time to turn on privacy settings. But that’s evidently not good enough. Even Mark Zuckerburg, the founder of Facebook learned that there is no such thing as private or personal on Facebook. A small glitch temporaily allowed people to see photos, regardless of the privacy setting. WBTV’s cyber expert, Theresa Payton, explains what happened.

The good news is that Facebook seems to have fixed the issue. The bad news is, people had a false sense of security that if they locked down their privacy settings to share photos only with friends that they had that assurance and the glitch proved there are no 100% assurances.

Here is what Facebook had to say about the incident:
"The bug allowed anyone to view a limited number of another user's most recently uploaded photos irrespective of the privacy settings for these photos...Upon discovering the bug, we immediately disabled the system, and will only return functionality once we can confirm the bug has been fixed."

HOW IT WORKED:
Facebook offers a user community reporting system where you can report inappropriate content. By making this feature available, they accidentally allowed this feature to bypass privacy settings.

WHO WAS IMPACTED?
Everyone was temporarily impacted. Even the founder, Mark Zuckerburg, had photos of his girlfriend and puppy exposed.

HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF:
Follow the Grandmom rule: If you don’t want Grandmom to see it, don’t post photos online

If you need to share photos, consider using a photo sharing site and then deleting the photos after you are done. Remember, digital is forever so they are still around even if you cannot see them.

WORD OF THE WEEK:
SCHEMER: Pronounced Scheme-er, this is a new Google product. It’s based on the concept of organizing activities into “schemes”. They have various schemes already set up that you can choose or you can submit your own. Then you can share information with others. It’s sort of a Location Check in Service (like GoWalla or Foursquare) except it is activity based.
It’s not available in Charlotte yet! You can request to be on a wait list at http://www.schemer.com/welcome
RESOURCES:
To keep up with the latest Facebook privacy settings go to:
https://www.facebook.com/about/privacy/

To stay ahead of the scams out there, track Facecrooks on Facebook at:
https://www.facebook.com/Facecrooks

SCAM ALERT #2

2011-12-15T11:42:00.000-08:00

From: "Eddie Hamm" <eddiehamm@rocketmail.com>
Date: December 8, 2011 9:36:40 AM EST
Subject: Order Inquiry

Dear Sales,
Good day to you. I would like to place an order for the below listed items from your establishment to our location in TX , USA .

# Fargo 44230 Color Ribbon - YMCKO - 250 prints
# Fargo 86200 Color Ribbon - YMCKO - 500 prints
# C6578DN Inkjet Cartridge (Tri-Colour)
# C1823D Inkjet Cartridge (Tri-Colour)

Looking forward for the quick response , so that i can get back to you with the qtys needed. and also let me know know the acceptable credit cards for the payment

Thank you
Eddie Hamm
Sales Manager
3319 Thrash Trail
Mineola, TX 75773

NOTE: REPLY TO ( eddiehamm@rocketmail.com )

SCAM ALERT: Information about Your Late Relation/Family Member- Final Notice

2011-12-15T11:40:00.000-08:00

One of the most recent phishing scams we've stumbled upon...

Information about Your Late Relation/Family Member- Final Notice

Ref: Information about Your late Relation/Family member

This is my second but final attempt to reach you in view of this subject matter.

I am Geoffrey Bell,an Conveyancer , Investment adviser/sole executor to your late relation.There is an Estate(Cash deposit in account with SNS

Bank and some landed Properties) belonging to your Late family member I will like to discuss with you; He is related to you going by the linage,

surname and country of origin.

Once I receive your information and endorse same appropriately,I shall provide you with all the privileged information/legal documents relating

to the deceased and also will give you guidelines on how to realize this goal without the breach of the law. I would respectfully request that you

treat the content of this letter as privileged and respect the integrity of the information you come by as a result of this correspondence. Contact me

immediately for more information and to begin the legal process of redeeming your lawful entitlement before the bank is compelled by law to hand

over the money to the government.

Kind Regards,

Geoffrey Bell

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Solicitors Regulation Authority. limited liability partnership, registered in England (OC321279).Bell & Co incorporating Liddingtons is a trading name of Gowen & Stevens LLP.

-----------

Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device

Scammers Skim Your Data While You Eat!

2011-11-23T06:01:00.000-08:00

Notes taken by: Theresa Payton, Fortalice, LLC. Also featured in WBTV's segment, Protecting Your Cyberturf, with Kristen Miranda and Theresa Payton

We have warned you before to watch for skimmers at the ATM or gas pumps. Those little devices criminals add on that you almost can’t see and the device silently steals your credit or debit card data. Well there’s a new twist tonight and you’ll be surprised to learn how high tech meets low tech in this latest scam.

We have talked about how sophisticated technology is becoming and it all fits in the palm of your hand. But when you go to a trusted place, like a restaurant, you expect the staff to treat your card with great care but what happens when hand held technology is placed in the hands of bad guys and unwitting wait staff? Well over 50 diners found out the hard way in New York when various locales were hit by cybercriminals. Cyber expert, Theresa Payton, describes what happened.

HOW THE SCAM WORKED:
1. Cybercriminal convinced someone on the inside to use hand held skimmers -- the devices were only 3 inches long!
2. Some wait staff claimed they were told to do this extra step and had no idea why
3. Cybercriminals collected all the information they needed via the skimmers
4. They used it to steal money from bank accounts and to make high dollar purchases by forging all the information onto duplicate forged cards

HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF:
1. Chip and pin cards are hard to counterfeit - ask your card company if they offer this option
2. Avoid using the debit card at restaurants where you lose sight of your card
3. Ask if you can pay at the front
4. Keep your card limits low to make your card a less attractive target
5. Memorize the 3 digit number on the back of the card and then draw over it with a sharpie to make it more difficult to counterfeit your card credentials

WORD OF THE WEEK:
BUFFY: This is the code name for the alleged phone being created by Facebook. Nicknamed for Buffy the Vampire and a play on the words “Social Layer”...Slayer. The rumor says that Facebook and HTC have joined forces to develop an Android based phone. It hasn’t been confirmed yet by HTC or Facebook...stay tuned!

STEPS TO TAKE IF YOU ARE A VICTIM:
1. Contact your card company to alert them so you will not be liable for charges. Ask them to cancel and reissue you a new card with a new account number.
2. After you contact your card company, contact www.AnnualCreditReport.com to sign up for your free annual credit report. It will send it to you from all three credit bureaus.
3. Contact your local law enforcement to alert them.
4. For tips on how to protect your credit, check out tips at the Scam Busters site: http://www.scambusters.org/CreditCardFraud.html

Nothing Funny About Caller Id Faker

2011-11-21T07:03:00.000-08:00

Notes taken by: Theresa Payton, Fortalice, LLC. Also featured in WBTV's segment, Protecting Your Cyberturf, with Kristen Miranda and Theresa Payton

Remember the old days when kids would prank call their neighbors asking questions like, “Is your refrigerator running? Well you better go catch it!” Well, those calls were annoying but harmless fun, those pranks were low tech compared to what’s out there today! We have told you before about phone spoofing, where someone can disguise the phone number they are really calling from. Sometimes this technology can be used for a harmless prank or to protect your identity but in the wrong hands, this feature can be scary.

Just when we thought we’d seen it all, companies are coming up with new technologies to not only spoof your number but to also disguise your voice. This could be funny but it could also be scary in the wrong hands. One software product, CallerIdFaker, asks you to use the product, tape the call as it happens and then share it on their website. Are you laughing yet?

They even have some calls on YouTube if you will where other users can listen to your call and rate it as “Today’s Hottest” call. Cyber Expert, Theresa Payton, is very concerned about this technology being used by abusive people and criminals to take advantage of their victims.

SECURITY WARNING:

This technology has been used to hack high profile celebrities, tricking them into talking and telling information about themselves.

We are concerned that criminals, including physical abusers and fraudsters, will use this technology as another way to dupe their victims.

If you think this is far fetched, look at the case of Zachary Daniels who was arrested by the Hernando County Sherriff’s office. According to their report, he used caller ID spoofing software, including Caller ID Faker, and made nine phone calls to harass his wife. He spoofed the calls to say he was calling as an FBI Agent or he used the persona of a Deputy of the Sherriff’s office. You can read the report at:
http://www.hernandosheriff.org/applications/pressreleases/PressReleases/20110526_Daniels-35%20Charges-FRAUD%20WARNINGS.pdf

TIPS TO STAY SAFE:
1. Watch where you post your home and mobile number.
2. Trust but verify - if a person calls you, even someone you know, pay close attention to queues that might mean they are just reading information about you online and do not really know you. Ask if you can call them back at the number displayed on your phone.
3. Talk to your kids about this feature so they cannot get tricked. Make sure you discourage using it too.

WORD FOR THE WEEK:

Qakbot: The word is pronounced “kwak-bot” but there’s nothing ducky about it. The Qakbot first appeared on the scene in 2009 stealing your bank account information off of your computer. Security researchers have seen a new surge as cybercriminals issued a new release in April. Their main target - your bank account. Many of the software protection companies like Symantec and McAfee are trying to stay ahead so keep those antivirus software products up to date!

WEB RESOURCES:

If you think you have been the victim of a crime where they used spoofing software, or any other means via the internet, please contact the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov

Recent criminal use of caller id spoof software:
http://www.hernandosheriff.org/applications/pressreleases/PressReleases/20110526_Daniels-35%20Charges-FRAUD%20WARNINGS.pdf

How caller id faker rates calls that used their software:
http://calleridfaker.com/public/

A Youtube video describing how it works.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CAXEL3hAk8Y

Upcoming Webinar Hosted by TP 11/28

2011-11-15T06:39:00.000-08:00

Theresa Payton will be hosting a webinar, The Game Changed: Biggest threats for banks and their customers changed on us and what Eve from Wall-E has to do with it, Monday November 28th, 2011 at 2:00pm. The webinar will be approximately one hour with time for a Q&A session at the conclusion. The discussion aims to illustrate an updated threat picture for banks to help them recognize how to adapt and best protect their customers. Find out what Mr. Incredible and Eve from Wall-E have to do with the new security threat vector and why businesses are completely unprepared!
To attend: https://bankerstuff.ilinc.com/join/yzzkfbf
Primary Dial-In: 1-866-502-8312
Passcode: 933472

Apple phone and Ipad Alert

2011-11-10T06:23:00.000-08:00

Written by Theresa Payton and featured in WBTV's Protecting Your Cyberturf segment with Kristen Miranda and Theresa Payton

Do you have an iPhone and/or an iPad? Then you better spend the next two minutes with us to hear a warning that you need to know so you can protect yourself. The good news is that cybsecurity experts still feel the iphone is safe but a warning tonight that no device is ever 100% safe from cybercreeps! We talked to WBTV’s cyber expert to learn more about the iPhone issue.

Theresa has told you before that there is no 100% security solution. No device, no software is completely safe. This is about managing risk...

THE FLAW:
1. A researcher found a flaw in the operating system that could allow a cybercreep to take control of your iphone or ipad.
2. He created a sleeper app which once on his phone, connected back to a computer, and then downloaded malicious software
Once the cybercreep gets into your Iphone, he can take your information and even send text messages

This is very unusual because Apple has a process that reviews software for malicious code before it can go into the App Store.

The flaw works around the App Store because it installs the malicious software later.

WORD OF THE WEEK:
Sloppy clicker: Do you have someone that borrows your tablet, smart phone or computer and every time they use it and walk away your icons are all messed up? It’s because your device was hijacked temporarily by a sloppy clicker!

WEB RESOURCES:
To keep up to date on security concerns, track them at the Apple website at www.Apple.com

The iPhone Help site is also a great resource at http://iphonehelp.in

If you are worried about your iPhone or iPad or any smart phone catching a virus, software security companies, Sophos and McAfee, offer mobile protection.

Hacking Your Way Out of Jail

2011-11-10T06:19:00.000-08:00

Written by Theresa Payton and taken from the WBTV Protecting Your Cyberturf segment featuring Kristen Miranda and Theresa Payton

We have warned you before about how hackers can take over your phone, your computer, and maybe one day your car. Tonight we have another threat to worry about, hackers could take control of the systems used to control prisons and essentially unlock the prison.

We see the technology to remotely lock and secure things everywhere we go. Special computers help us set our alarms on our homes when we’re away. Well, prisons use a more sophisticated technology, called supervisory control and data acquisition or SCADA systems. SCADA protects our energy companies and keeps the bad guys locked in prison. But now, WBTV’s Cyber Expert, Theresa Payton says hold on a minute, we are not as safe as you might hope.

THE CONCERN:
A research team demonstrated at the Hacker Halted conference they had found a vulnerability in SCADA to take over the systems used in prisons.

HOW IT WORKS:
The control systems within the prison, if connected to a network that eventually talks to the internet, that’s where the hackers can squirm in.

Even if they are not connected, if someone manages to connect an infected thumb drive or install and infected file on the system, it could have the same effect.

The good guys demonstrated that they just needed that avenue and then sent an attack that would overload the computers and then allow them to open the doors at a prison.

This should be a wake up call for all organizations that use SCADA to inspect their systems and make sure they do not talk to the internet. Even an innocent connection to the internet for email creates a weak point that can let the bad guys in!

WORD FOR THE WEEK:

Netizen: A mashup of internet and citizen, you might be one of these if you spend most of your life on the internet between your smart phone, computer and tablet

Don't Let the Grinch Steal Your Holidays!

2011-11-10T06:16:00.001-08:00

Written by Theresa Payton and featured on WBTV's Protecting Your Cyberturf with Kristen Miranda and Theresa Payton

It’s that fun time of year, shopping for the special people in your life for the holidays. You have so many options now. You can hit the early bird sales at the mall, shop in your jammies at your home computer and now you can even shop from your smart phone while sitting in a boring meeting at work! But remember, cybercrooks go where the action is.

We are going to be telling you how to get the best deals using social media, your phone, the internet - ways to stretch the dollar to bring everyone the most joy. A recent study from the National Retail Federation said that over 50% of you plan to use your smart phone this year to help you with your shopping and many of you plan to avoid the crowds and shop online. But WBTV’s Cyber Expert is especially concerned about you this holiday season as she watches both old and new tricks putting the Grinch between you and the holidays.

Theresa is concerned about many scams coming your way and she has highlighted the 6 worst for you here.

ONLINE SCAMS COMING YOUR WAY:
1. Mobile Madness: Cybercriminals know that the phone is the place to be for coupons, social networking deals, and purchases. If the deal on your phone sounds too good to be true or needs personal and credit card data, think twice.
2. QR Codes: Quick Response Codes - Those funny looking codes on boxes might be tempting but we have warned you before about counterfeit QR codes and malware hiding behind them. Be careful about scanning these using your phone or tablet.
3. Facebook Gift cards: Every day seems to have a new deal offering “free” gift cards on Facebook and they look pretty convincing. Since many merchants have moved to “Facebook only” or “Web only” deals it makes it hard to verify. Check your merchant’s home page or call and ask.
4. Online holiday greeting cards: Sorry to be a Grinch but don’t open unless you can call the person to make sure they really sent it to you.
5. Free online holiday screensavers, ringtones, or games: Free on the internet ALWAYS has strings attached. It might just be annoying pop up ads but it could also include spyware. If you must download the free games or screensavers, only download them from sites you know very well.
6. UPS / DHS / USPS / FedEx: Be on the lookout for any email notifications about missing packages, package status, or other notices. If they ask you to click on a link or open a file, be very suspicious

HOW TO STAY SAFE:

Update your Browser software, Operating System, and Antivirus Software
Practice good digital hygeine:

be wary of links and attachments
don’t fill out forms asking for personal or credit card information
do not share too much information about your holiday plans

WORD OF THE WEEK:
Camoflauge. In this case, it’s a way to disguise the fact that your phone is ringing. You can use a ringtone like a cough, or someone saying, “Shhh!” If you are going to an outdoor event, you can pick a bird tweeting or bee buzzing ringtone.

RESOURCES:
For cell phone safety tips, go to the National Crime Prevention Council at:
http://www.ncpc.org/topics/cell-phone-safety-1

Keep track of Facebook scams at www.Facecrooks.com

Trust but verify those great deals through the Better Business Bureau at www.BBB.org

If you are a victim of an internet crime, notify your local law enforcement and your banks first and then contact the FBI at www.IC3.gov and the Federal Trade Commission at www.FTC.gov to file a complaint.