Malvertising has been identified as one of the main cyber security threats in 2017, but what exactly is it and how can it put you at risk? Malvertising, or malicious advertising, is the use of online advertising to spread malware and it involves embedding malware laden advertisements into legitimate online advertising platforms and websites. Whilst […]
Are you getting a new mobile or tablet for Christmas?
For many people, Christmas is the time of year when they are given, or buy, a shiny new smartphone or tablet. Whilst there are many cupboard draws out there with old devices slowly gathering dust, many of us generously pass our old devices onto relatives, friends or offspring. However before handing it over, it is […]
Don’t let online fraudsters spoil your Christmas shopping
Statistics show that 77% of UK internet users purchase online and with Christmas just around the corner more and more of us will be buying our gifts on the internet. Unfortunately it is also a time when fraudsters cash in, using scams old and new to exploit people’s good will and ruin their festive period. […]
That old truism “there’s no such thing as a free lunch” certainly applies to cyber security
Why do people throw common sense out of the window at the sight of the word “free”? It’s as if the word has bizarre brain washing powers that render the normally intelligent and wary individual incapable of rational thought. This is never more apparent than when “free” leaps off the page whilst browsing the internet. […]
Being young and tech savvy is no guarantee you won’t be a target
A survey published earlier this year by fraud prevention specialists Cifas, shows that people aged 30 years and under are the group most targeted by hackers with identity fraud in mind. Identity fraud is the result of identity theft, a process where fraudsters access enough personal information (for example full name, date of birth, current […]
How comprehensive is your Social Media Policy?
Those of us who have been using IT in our business lives for some years have become used to the email as a primary form of communication. Since the mid to late 90’s we have used email for the majority of internal and external communication and, whilst allowing for the occasional user error in choosing […]
How can a relaxing coffee put your personal data at risk?
These days we seem unable to go more than half an hour without connecting to the internet via our smartphones, tablets or laptops. And to help us (and to save valuable mobile connection costs) many locations such as coffee shops, hotels, airports and retailers offer free access to public Wi-Fi. After all, it’s a […]
The threat of pirated apps from rogue app stores for your iPhone or iPad
Have you heard the phrase “walled garden”? In an IT context it means an environment where the service provider has control over content and applications and restricts access for that which is non-approved. Apple has been famous for the walled garden that is it’s App Store, apps on the store have largely been seen as […]
The risk of external threats can mask internal perils
Low tech methods of capturing sensitive and confidential information can put a company at risk of a much larger data breach. A 2015 study has shown that “visual hacking” is a significant threat. The Ponemon Institute conducted a visual hacking experiment on behalf of 3M Company and the Visual Privacy Advisory Council (VPAC) using computer […]
Are your children online gaming? Safety is important
Christmas is over, the schools are still on holiday and your children may well be whiling away their time by online gaming. Although this is perfectly harmless, they may well be potential targets for cyber criminals drawn by the opportunity to gain credit card and other useful information. They may be using secured gaming platforms […]