Author: Ian Vielma

VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) protect your data and maintain anonymity. For example, VPNs prevent your Internet Service Provider (ISP) from tracking what you search for on the Internet and, therefore, limit what data they have access to. A VPN also helps you maintain privacy by ensuring all your internet traffic remains encrypted. Some popular VPNs include NordVPN, ProtonVPN, and ExpressVPN. Full Story

Job scams are on the rise, with reported losses more than tripling from 2020 to 2023. In the first half of 2024 there has been a reported $220 million lost. It is partly a result of “task scams,” which lure victims with the promise of easy online work. Task scams typically involve completing repetitive tasks, such as liking videos or rating product images on apps or online platforms. These tasks often appear to earn commissions, and small payouts give the illusion of legitimacy. The scam escalates when users are asked to make deposits to “unlock” further tasks or access their…

Private browsers prioritize minimum data collection and have features that include ad-blocking and minimal data retention. It is common to use private browsers to avoid advertising, enhance privacy, and reduce the information collected. Some popular browsers include Brave, Opera, and DuckDuckGo. Source – National Cybersecurity Alliance

Know what you have control over In some instances, data sharing is obligatory, such as navigation apps where location is required to function. However, because of these limits focus on what you do have control over. Build positive habits When faced with an “Allow” prompt on data requests, think before pressing Allow. Apps often give you the decision whether or not to grant access to data; it is important to deny permissions that do not make sense in that situation. Review settings often Apps often collect data without you knowing. It is important to review privacy settings to ensure that…

Data Privacy allows for your personal information to be protected and away from unauthorized users. This prevents sensitive information from being misused when it gets into the wrong hands. When talking about data privacy, making informed choices is crucial. It is important to be aware of what information you are sharing with various apps or websites. Data Privacy Week is January 27 – 31, 2025. The National Cybersecurity Alliance provides many answers to why Data Privacy is important and tools for protecting yourself against cybercriminals. #DataPrivacyWeek Source

The National Cybersecurity Alliance encourages users to create strong passwords to safeguard your digital life. To ensure maximum security, they suggest: A password at least 16 characters long A unique password for each account  Include special characters, upper and lower case letters, and numbers In addition to having a strong password, the NCA suggests using Multi-factor authentication (MFA) as it adds a whole another layer of security to the account. Another way to safeguard your digital life is to use password managers. Password managers are an easy way to safely store and keep track of all your different passwords. The…

Italy’s Data Protection Authority fined OpenAI €15 million in response to OpenAI’s methods of handling personal data. The investigation originally began in 2023, when ChatGPT was briefly banned in Italy due to breaches of EU privacy rules. It was further revealed that OpenAI did not provide an “adequate age verification system,” which limited inappropriate AI content to users under the age of 13 years old. An OpenAI spokesperson stated the fine was “20 times” the revenue made in Italy back in 2023 and will be looking for an appeal. Full Story

Data Privacy is the fundamental right for one to have control over access to their personal information. The concept of privacy has changed over time, and one thing remains constant, the right to privacy means protecting your personal information from unauthorized access. The personal information being protected can range from different types of data such as names, birthdays, medical records, and even internet browsing history. Source: National Cybersecurity Alliance

A recent vulnerability in the Really Simple Security WordPress plugin affected specific versions (9.0.0 to 9.1.1.1). This vulnerability allowed unauthenticated attackers to gain administrative access within certain sites. It permitted malicious actors to hijack WordPress sites and use them for criminal purposes. The plugin has been installed on over 4 million sites. However, a patch was released (version 9.1.2) with WordPress enforcing automatic updates to prevent exploitation. Full Story

A group of Iranian hackers have taken advantage of the aerospace job industry. The group held a campaign that used fake job offers to deliver malware through phishing emails and malicious attachments. These hackers posed as both real and fake users on LinkedIn profiles. They relied on a multi-stage infection process to deliver the malware in order to minimize detection. It is not the first time this group has done a campaign like this. In a 2022 PwC report, it was stated that the same group (TA455) had posed as recruiters for their company. Full Story