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How To Choose The Best Password Manager

John Raymond | ✔️Fact-checked by: Angela Daniel
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How To Choose The Best Password Manager

Are you looking for password management software? This post will show you how to choose the best password manager.

Organizations and private users widely accept the use of a password manager. Password managers are very important. Due to the complexity of the management of passwords, individuals and companies have adopted password managers to secure passwords and comply with standard password hygiene.

There are a lot of password managers out there, whether cloud-based or self-hosted password managers like Password. How do you make a perfect choice? Given a wide array of providers, there is a need to understand the features of a standard password manager. This would help you avoid paying for software that would leak your passwords.

What are the features to look out for in a password manager? This article is dedicated to providing a comprehensive answer to this question. 

There are some standard features a good password management software must have. You must look out for these features before committing your credit card. 

READ ALSO: Best Password Manager According To Reddit Users

Let’s delve in!

Features To Look Out For In A Good Password Manager

1. Encryption

password management software

The essence of using password managers is to have secure passwords. Encryption is what ensures that. This is one of the significant features to look out for. You have to ascertain how reliable the encryption of a password manager is. 

Reliable password management software should have advanced encryption/military-grade encryption. This is because hackers are relentlessly working to crack such applications. 

READ ALSO: Full Review of RememBear – A Reliable Password Manager Application

2. Ease of Use

In as much as password management applications have robust technology, they should not be difficult to use. Today, an average user has a lot of accounts to access. So, retrieving login credentials should be hassle-free. 

This should also apply to organizations’ password managers. Making the software available to the employees ought to be simple and effective. 

Ensuring ease of use will always boost user experience, which is one of the reasons people opt for password management solutions. No one wants to go through the trouble of having to memorize passwords.

Choosing a password manager empowers you to take control of your online security. You can find the perfect tool to manage your passwords securely by considering your needs.

3. Is the Vendor Verified?

This software as a service is very sensitive. They help you keep credentials that are used to access accounts. Considering this, you wouldn’t want to hand over your login information or your organization’s account information to any random password management software vendor. 

You must have to understand the legitimacy of such a company. Consider the country where the vendor operates, government regulations, company policies, and history. 

All of these are to ensure you are doing business with a legitimate software company committed to securing your data. Remember, we are talking about passwords here. You’ve got to be careful with the password management application you use.

4. Ability to Generate Strong Passwords

password managers

This is one of the significant characteristics a password manager should hold. It doesn’t stop at generating passwords; there should be additional features such as determining the length of a password, choosing the types of characters, and some other set of filters that give users control over the software.

5. Auto-fill Feature

Would you enjoy opening a password manager whenever you want to access your accounts? What if a password manager could autofill login pages for you? I know you would prefer your manager to do this recurring task. After all, who doesn’t like convenience?

Any password management software that lacks this feature is somewhat behind. Contemporary password managers are built to fill in login forms automatically.

READ ALSO: Full Review of 1Password – Reliable Password Manager

6. Password Audit

A reliable password manager should be able to audit and regulate user’s password habits. A good password manager examines the strength of passwords and how often the user uses them and makes suggestions to the users regarding needful changes. 

Here are the things a comprehensive password audit should cover:

  • Password strength
  • Reuse of passwords across accounts
  • When to change passwords

7. Responsive Support

Every SaaS company ought to have responsive support. The need to fix something as urgent as possible would always arise. Before settling with a provider, ensure the support platform is responsive.

8. Specialized Package for Businesses

Businesses require more control when using a password manager. This calls for advanced features that allow the IT department to regulate and manage employees’ accounts. 

Before you choose a password manager for your business, make sure it offers a friendly interface and features that make it easy to manage the password habits of your employees.

9. Additional Features

What if you can do more with your password manager than generate and keep passwords? Some applications have additional features that allow you to make and save notes, upload files, and keep other sensitive things besides passwords. 

READ ALSO: Full Review of RoboForm – Secure Password Manager

Some password managers work as browsers as well. In this case, it helps users to browse securely. So, if you are interested in some other additional features, make sure the service you are considering has them before committing your money.

Today, password managers are not just for keeping passwords only. Look out for a multi-faceted manager.

READ ALSO: The Pros And Cons Of Outsourcing Your Cybersecurity Audit

How To Choose The Best Password Manager: Frequently Asked Questions

Selecting the perfect password manager can feel overwhelming. Here are some FAQs to help you navigate the options and find the best fit for your needs:

How do you choose a password manager?

Consider these factors when choosing a password manager:

  • Security: This is paramount. Look for a manager with robust encryption (AES-256 is a common standard) and multi-factor authentication (MFA) to protect your passwords.
  • Features: Do you need password-sharing capabilities, secure storage for notes or documents, or automatic password generation? Identify the features that are important to you.
  • Cross-platform compatibility: Ensure the password manager works seamlessly across all your devices (desktop, mobile, browser).
  • Ease of use: A user-friendly interface makes managing passwords less of a chore. Consider how intuitive the password manager is for you.
  • Price: Free and paid options exist. Paid plans often offer additional features and storage space.

Which password manager is best for me?

There’s no single “best” password manager. Different options cater to specific needs. Reviewing and comparing features across popular choices like LastPass, 1Password, Bitwarden, Dashlane, and Keeper can help you decide.

What password manager should I switch to?

If you’re unhappy with your current password manager, consider the factors mentioned above (security, features, etc.) Many password managers offer easy import/export functions to transfer your existing passwords securely.

What is a good password manager for Android?

Popular password managers like those mentioned offer Android apps alongside desktop and browser extensions. When choosing, consider features relevant to mobile use, such as fingerprint unlock or autofill functionality within Android apps.

Are all password managers the same?

Password managers differ in features, pricing models, and even underlying security architecture. Some prioritize ease of use, while others offer advanced features for security-conscious users. Evaluating your needs will help you choose the most suitable option.

What are the three basic types of password manager?

There isn’t a universally agreed-upon categorization into three distinct types. However, password managers can be broadly classified based on storage location:

  • Local-only password managers: These store passwords encrypted on your device and don’t require cloud storage.
  • Cloud-based password managers: These store your passwords on encrypted cloud servers, accessible from any device. Convenience comes with some trust considerations, as you rely on the provider’s security measures.
  • Zero-knowledge password managers: This is a subcategory within cloud-based managers. The company never actually sees your passwords in plain text. They only store encrypted data that you can decrypt with your master password.

Rounding Up

Hopefully, you can now choose the best password manager for your use.

The password management software you settle for determines the safety of your credentials. Not every vendor is good for you. I’ve furnished you with some features you must look out for before you bring out your credit card. 

Another vital thing to do is to look out for reviews. Ask your colleagues to recommend products for you. This approach would help you make a fantastic choice. There is no adequate substitution for comprehensive product research. Make sure you do extensive research before making a final decision.

Note: This was initially published in August 2020, but has been updated for freshness and accuracy.

RELATED POSTS

Why Is Data Backup And Recovery So Important?

Abraham Faisal | ✔️Fact-checked by: Angela Daniel
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Why Is Data Backup And Recovery So Important?

Is data backup and recovery important? Have you ever wondered what can go wrong if you lose your data to a malware attack, natural disaster, or data theft? Yeah, you’re right!

You can lose sensitive data that means so much to you or an organization. How much would that cost compared with subscribing or securing a data recovery solution?

Data backup is copying and archiving data stored on local computer storage to separate digital storage devices or to remote computers, commonly referred to as ‘Cloud’ to prevent total loss of data, which can be as a result of data theft, hacking, malware attack, physical damages caused by fire, flooding, accident, etc.

Data recovery is restoring lost, damaged, or stolen data from backup locations. In present-day data backup solutions, most individuals and organizations back up their data in the cloud, thus making it possible to restore backed-up data to any device irrespective of their location.

READ ALSO: Data Recovery Guide: Strategies, Tools, and Best Practices

What Data Backup And Recovery Is Important?

What Data Backup And Recovery Is Important?

Data backup plays an essential role in ensuring the safety and integrity of data for individuals, businesses, and corporations. Therefore, the reasons below highlight the benefits of data backup and recovery for individuals and organizations.

  1. Malware attacks

Malware attacks are the most significant cause of data loss in history. Common malware, such as viruses, ransomware, and worms, have led to the crashing of several computers worldwide, resulting in the loss of data, hardware, and software worth billions of dollars. Backing up data could have saved multitudes the headache of data loss due to ravaging novel malware attacks, but it can protect you from unforeseen data loss and new malware outbreaks.

READ ALSO: Recover Lost Data With UltData Android Data Recovery

  1. Hardware failure

Hardware failure can be as a result of the following

  • Use of obsolete computing devices
  • Natural disasters in the case of floods, earthquakes, tornados, extreme heat or cold, etc
  • Electrical faults are primarily due to power surge,s which can damage computer hard drives
  • Fire outbreaks are a common occurrence mainly due to electrical faults.

Since most causes of hardware failure are unpredictable, and the havoc they wreck is not controllable, a consistent backup solution will save you or your business from the eventual data loss caused by the factors l have listed above.

In the case of businesses, you wouldn’t have to worry about delays or customer data loss as you can quickly restore relevant data from the cloud to computing devices.

READ ALSO: How To Prepare Your Business For Data Loss

  1. Thefts and mistakes

Hacking is a primary form of data theft, bedeviling the world as tons of data have been lost to hackers. Data theft is not only limited to hackers working outside of organizations, as evidenced by the research conducted by BISCOM, secure data delivery solutions.

In its research, 20% of employees in organizations admit that they are willing to steal data belonging to the organization if they were fired or laid off from work wrongfully.

Hackers and employee data theft can damage organizations as stolen data are permanently deleted or rendered meaningless by encryption, primarily if such a business or organization does not engage in any form of data backup.

  1. The need to scale up your business

Part of scaling up your business or organization should include embracing cloud backup. With a cloud backup solution, your employees and business partners can access your data and work remotely from home or any part of the world, thus giving your business some degree of global presence. Protect your business-critical cloud data with CloudAlly Microsoft 365 Backup.

Also, cloud backup gives your business an edge over its competitors as it is ready to bounce back even after suffering a collateral data loss.

READ ALSO: Use UltData iPhone Data Recovery to recover data on Damaged iOS device

Importance of Data Backup and Recovery

Importance of Data Backup and Recovery

Prevents Data Loss

Disasters (natural or human-caused), hardware failures, cyberattacks, and accidental deletions can all lead to data loss. Backups provide a safety net, ensuring you have a copy of your data to restore in case of such events.

Minimizes Downtime

Data loss can significantly disrupt operations. Recovering from backups lets you get your systems back up and running quickly, minimizing downtime and lost productivity.

Ensures Business Continuity

In today’s data-driven world, access to information is essential for business continuity. Backups help organizations recover critical data and resume operations efficiently, minimizing potential financial losses.

Maintains Regulatory Compliance

Many industries have regulations requiring data retention and accessibility. Backups ensure you meet these requirements and avoid hefty fines or legal repercussions.

Provides Peace of Mind

Knowing your data is safeguarded offers peace of mind. You can work and store information confidently without worrying about permanent loss.

Primary Goal of Data Backup and Recovery:

  • To restore lost, corrupted, or inaccessible data to a usable state. This can involve restoring entire systems, individual files, or specific versions of data, depending on the situation and backup strategy.

Why is Data Recovery Important?

Data recovery is an essential part of the backup and recovery process. Even with backups in place, unexpected events can still occur. Data recovery allows you to retrieve your information from backups and restore it to its original state, minimizing the impact of data loss.

READ ALSO: 3 Things You Need To Know About Cloud Backup

Two Main Objectives of a Backup and Recovery Strategy

  1. Data Protection: This involves creating regular backups of your data using appropriate methods and storing them securely in a separate location.
  2. Data Accessibility: This focuses on having the necessary procedures and tools in place to recover data from backups when needed efficiently. A good strategy ensures a smooth and swift restoration process.

By understanding these aspects, you can appreciate why data backup and recovery is critical for safeguarding valuable information and ensuring its availability when needed.

READ ALSO: What is Ransomware? Signs and How to remove it?

Wrapping Up

To get the best of backup, you have to engage in regular and consistent data backup to minimize the drastic effect of data loss if it eventually happens.

Most cloud backup solutions provide a routine, automated, and scheduled backup to reduce the amount of data loss between two successive data backups.

Note: This was initially published in July 2020, but has been updated for freshness and accuracy.

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Why Is Cybersecurity In Financial Services Important?

Christian Schmitz | ✔️Fact-checked by: Angela Daniel
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Why Is Cybersecurity In Financial Services Important?

In this post, we will answer why cybersecurity in financial services is important.

Not so long ago, we only had to worry about physical theft. But then came computer fraud, and now we are vulnerable to multiple threats.

Digital innovation in the financial industry helps financial service providers meet customer demands and poses risks by increasing the attack surface of new entry points that cybercriminals can easily exploit.

Therefore, there should be a much greater emphasis on examining the importance of cybersecurity in financial services.

A secure digital transformation requires the financial industry to prioritize cyber hygiene. Essentially, hygiene practices equip financial service providers with the right tools to detect and remediate ecosystem vulnerabilities. The industry can then meet the demand for innovation without compromising security.

Cyber Security Threats to the Financial Sector

Given our globalized world, where everything is interconnected, a cyberattack against the largest U.S. bank can significantly affect the global financial system.

Here are the top trends in the category of cyberattacks on financial institutions.

  • Ransomware— An attack on organizations and businesses, where they are pressured to pay a fee to restore regular access and run their daily operations.
  • Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS)—These attacks overload a website’s traffic flow, causing it to become inoperable.
  • Web Applications—Misconfiguration within such applications leaves an organization vulnerable to cyberattacks.
  • Phishing is one of the most prevalent cybersecurity threats to financial institutions, which involves tricking employees into disclosing sensitive information or downloading malware.

Cybersecurity Challenges in Financial Services

The following are a few of the biggest challenges affecting cybersecurity in financial services, financial technology (Fintech) enterprises, and startups.

  • Increased Data—Protecting information and data generated from mobile and internet banking solutions is one of the biggest cybersecurity and privacy challenges. There is a need to work with the right data protection service providers, such as Triada Cybersecurity, to enable active protection against modern cyber threats.
  • Cloud-based Security Risks—Cloud services power digital transformation by providing speed, security, scalability, and other benefits. However, using cheap and inefficient cloud services can compromise cybersecurity in the banking sector.  
  • Data Sharing—The collaboration between digital financial enterprises and conventional organizations makes it easier for consumers to get better products and services at low prices. Businesses in the Fintech industry need to capitalize on modern technology and processes to encrypt data throughout the process to ensure protection from cyberattacks.
  • Cross-platform Malware Infection—Hackers develop malware that infects one platform, which propagates into other connected platforms.
  • Digital identity management—Stolen identities make it easy for attackers to access and steal vast financial resources from personal accounts. Financial services must use patented and reliable disaster recovery and data backup services powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI) to prevent this occurrence.

Using AI-Driven Solutions to Maintain Data Security

fingerprint unlock cyber security threats to the financial sector AI solutions

A self-learning, AI-based cybersecurity system should solve the abovementioned problems and challenges.

Below are essential tips for operationalizing AI and maintaining security solutions to keep cyberattacks at bay!

Consider the goals and risks

Before implementing AI into your cybersecurity operations, establish the risks, expectations, and success criteria.

AI has a powerful potential to offer advanced detection capabilities based on cybersecurity trends in financial services and your unique known and unknown threats.

READ ALSO: The Intersection of Cybersecurity and AI: Exploring Challenges and Opportunities

Have a strong foundation

AI can augment your current cybersecurity tools beyond the traditional approaches for rapid prioritization and validation of threats. Network basics covered by AI include:

  • Visibility—This allows accounting for all assets within a network
  • Governance—AI is most effective when it can link multiple data feeds into a single truth source using a single common data model
  • Storage and processing—Decoupling the storage and computation layers helps AI systems run freely without slowing down the real-time identification of threats
  • Workflow—Financial organizations should have defined and organized processes and workflows that extend beyond their cybersecurity financial system teams

Complement human effort

AI supports analysts by reducing errors, speeding up the analysis, and automating labor-intensive tasks. To manage, mobilize, and maximize the human element of AI in your cybersecurity:

  • Identify tasks for automating
  • Plan to evolve cyber roles like testing and evaluation, systems administration, and infrastructure support.
  • Introduce emerging roles into your business, including employees who maintain Machine Learning (ML) models and cyber data scientists.
  • Identify the education process your organization has in place to inform employees about the function of AI in your institution through webinars, online tutorials, and podcasts.

Focus on use

This requires breaking down the workflow to understand better where AI is needed. Accounting for all unmonitored and monitored data sources is also critical for applying AI  in your organization. Identification of individual use cases for automation helps improve the speed of detection and response.

Automate for fast Return on Investment (ROI)

Automating simple processes will reduce execution times and free up staff time, creating better efficiency and outcomes. Companies with an already developed AI talent base, operational structures, and resources can consider creating autonomous cybersecurity financial services in 2020 based on need and possible future threats.

Strengthen Your Defenses with Good Financial System Cybersecurity

Strengthen Your Defenses with Good Financial System Cybersecurity

In the current cybersecurity environment, criminals often use increasingly sophisticated cyberattacks against financial institutions like yours. The reactive, traditional measures are no longer sufficient.

Moving forward, using the most effective solutions for cybersecurity in financial services can help eradicate these challenges, alleviate your worries, and win customer trust.

The time to act is now!

Cybersecurity sounds difficult to understand, and it’s even more challenging to stay on top of its applications and development.

That is why SecureBlitz Media sorts through the noise, lets you know what is important and recommends which actions to take. Visit our website and find out about the latest cybercrimes today!

Note: This was initially published in September 2020, but has been updated for freshness and accuracy.

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Exclusive Interview With Bob Baxley, CTO Of Bastille Networks

Daniel Segun
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Exclusive Interview With Bob Baxley, CTO Of Bastille Networks

Here’s an exclusive interview with Bob Baxley, CTO of Bastille Networks – a leader in enterprise threat detection through software-defined radio.

When facilities say “no devices allowed,” that’s not necessarily true.

The problem: most of these devices have radio frequency (RF) communication interfaces that make them vulnerable to RF attacks.

As such, enterprises must implement and enforce more nuanced electronic device policies to accurately distinguish between approved and unapproved electronic devices in secure areas and detect and locate unauthorized cellular, Bluetooth, BLE, Wi-Fi, and IoT devices.

Bastille offers unparalleled situational awareness with cellular and RF-based threat detection, location, and alerts to help prevent RF attacks.

Bastille’s ongoing partnership with the Department of Homeland Security underscores their dedication to protecting nations and securing enterprises.

Exclusive Interview With Bob Baxley, CTO Of Bastille Networks

So, in this interview, we spoke with Bob Baxley to learn more about their security solutions and how enterprises can protect their devices from cybersecurity threats.

Here are Bob Baxley’s responses to our questions:

1. Question: Tell me more about Bastille Networks

Bob Baxley: Bastille is the leader in enterprise threat detection through software-defined radio. Bastille provides full visibility into the known and unknown mobile, wireless, and Internet of Things devices inside an enterprise’s corporate airspace–the Internet of Radios. Through its patented software-defined radio and machine learning technology, Bastille senses, identifies, and localizes threats, providing security teams the ability to accurately quantify risk and mitigate airborne threats that could threaten network infrastructure.

READ ALSO: Enterprise Security Guide: Your Roadmap To A Secure Business

2. Question: What’s unique and different about Bastille than other solutions/companies?

Bob Baxley: Until Bastille, there was no way to apply network security mechanisms and countermeasures to RF-enabled IoT devices. IT security professionals couldn’t buy a security service like Bastille Enterprise until we invented it.

3. Question: Can you dive into radio frequency security and why it’s essential for enterprises?

Bob Baxley: Corporate airspaces are under attack from invisible threats operating on Radio Frequencies (RF). Enterprises often crucially rely on wireless protocols they don’t even know they’re using (Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, BLE, Zigbee, Z-Wave, etc.).

These protocols are used to build controls and access for employee communications, IT, and employees. The exploitation of vulnerable wireless devices is growing increasingly common.

Sophisticated attacks use compromised RF devices as entry points into government and corporate networks. Foreign governments, competitors, and cybercriminals are conducting radio-based attacks on enterprises to access intellectual property and sensitive information.

READ ALSO: The Importance Of Cybersecurity In Business

4. Question: Can you discuss why enterprises must implement and enforce more nuanced electronic device policies to accurately distinguish between approved and unapproved electronic devices in secure areas?

Bob Baxley: RF-enabled devices are everywhere: According to Statistica, there are 4.7 billion Cellular phones, 8.4 billion Bluetooth devices, and 9 billion Wi-Fi devices; added to this is the increasing use of “wearables” such as FitBits and other personal devices with embedded radios, with a variety of audio/video capture, pairing and transmission capabilities.

Current policies are outdated: While some government and commercial buildings have secure areas where no cell phones or other RF-emitting devices are allowed, detecting and locating radio-enabled devices is primarily based on the honor system or one-time scans for devices. Bad actors do not follow the honor system; one-time scans are just that, one time, and cannot be monitored 24×7. 

New solutions for a new age: Bastille enables security teams to differentiate between approved and unapproved devices, accurately places dots on a floor-plan map for device location, and sends alerts when a device is found where it should not be or doing what it should not do. Bastille Networks also integrates with existing security systems such as Splunk, MDM, and camera systems.

READ ALSO: Is Cybersecurity Essential For Online Casino Websites?

5. Question: What cybersecurity measures would you recommend for enterprises and why?

Bob Baxley: 

Take Control of Your Airspace: Obtain visibility into devices that use the big four protocols: cellular, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and BLE. Locating every radio emitter provides situational awareness of devices in an enterprise’s network.

  • Evaluate RF Technology: Assessing RF security solutions is vital in preserving company secrets. As security teams examine RF products in the market, a checklist of capabilities should include solutions that can detect, analyze, alert, and accurately locate cellular devices that incorporate airspaces in real-time.
  • Deploy RF Solutions: Proactively equipping an organization with RF security technology will future-proof an enterprise from an RF breach. Adopting RF solutions that constantly monitor and detect the transmissions of devices in the wireless spectrum will combat nefarious attacks.

6. Question: Can you shed more light on Bastille Express?

Bob Baxley: Earlier this year, Bastille launched Bastille Express, the commercial version of the government spec Bastille FlyAway Kit, for forward-deployed locations.

Bastille Express can detect and locate authorized and unauthorized Cellular, Bluetooth, BLE, and Wi-Fi devices operating within 3,000 to 5,000 square feet, such as conference meeting rooms, remote offices, hotel areas, or speaking locations. 

Bastille networks logo

Visit the official Bastille Networks website

Note: This was initially published in July 2020, but has been updated for freshness and accuracy.

SIMILAR INTERVIEWS

Exclusive Interview With Hugh Taylor, Author Of Digital Downfall

Gina Lynch | ✔️Fact-checked by: Christian Schmitz
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Exclusive Interview With Hugh Taylor, Author Of Digital Downfall

In this digital age, cybersecurity is of utmost importance. In his recent book, Digital Downfall: Technology, Cyberattacks, and the End of the American Republic, Hugh Taylor addresses America’s vulnerability to cyberattacks, especially from foreign sources.

In this exclusive interview, we discussed with the author as he shared more insights about the book and his findings.

Hugh Taylor
Hugh Taylor

Hugh Taylor is a renowned author and Executive Editor of The Journal of Cyber Policy, a cybersecurity industry blog.

He is a Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) and is well-experienced in cyber-related matters, having been in the field for over 20 years.

Other books by the author include The Joy of SOX (Wiley) about IT, the Sarbanes Oxley Act, and Event-Driven Architecture (Prentice-Hall).

Here are Hugh Taylor’s responses to our questions:

1. Question: Your book talks about the high reliance on computers in the US government and private industries; What alternative would you recommend?

Hugh Taylor: Good question. There is no turning back at this point. The issue is where and how to rely on computing, and how the technology can be made more secure. The government and industry need computers. In the military, it may be possible, and indeed might be advisable, to create more analog workarounds if computers fail. I think it would be smart for companies and government agencies to look critically at where their dependence on computing puts them at risk and adjust their strategies accordingly.

For example, is keeping all sorts of data about customers and citizens in databases necessary for the organization’s mission? Maybe not. Maybe it’s possible to operate without building a repository of data that can cause harm to the public if it’s breached—which it will be at some point. Or, are there places in the infrastructure where a non-programmable, hardware-based appliance (vs. a “Turing machine”) might be a more secure option? And so forth.

READ ALSO: Browser Compartmentalization: How to Compartmentalize Your Web Browsers

2. Question: Russia and China are engaging the US in digital warfare, which party is winning, and why?

Hugh Taylor: It’s really hard to tell, for certain. It seems that Russia and China are running wild in the US. Russia appears to be able to influence American politics and government policy using social media distortions and cyber techniques. China has stolen a great deal of American economic trade secrets and grabbed massive amounts of secret military data.

People who know about these things have told me that the US is also hitting back very hard in those countries… but they have state-controlled media, so we don’t know about it. And, maybe it doesn’t matter. An America that foreign adversaries can disrupt is at risk of serious trouble. Whether we’re “doing it back to them” doesn’t mean much if our own system is collapsing due to their interference. After all, the US is more vulnerable to digital disruption than Russia or China.

3. Question: You discussed Russia’s desire to pit racial groups in the US, how credible are your arguments?

Hugh Taylor: I believe my arguments are credible to the extent that anyone can ever accurately attribute a cyber attack to a particular nation. American law enforcement officials, experts, and others have testified to the US Congress that Russia is using cyber techniques and disinformation to provoke racial violence in the US.

In the 2016 campaign, we saw several examples of this, including a street-level confrontation in Texas between Christian and Muslim groups—that was instigated by Russian operatives on social media. We saw Russian attempts to build fake Black community advocacy groups on Facebook in 2016. I believe we are seeing comparable, but more sophisticated efforts at work today with Black Lives Matter and its counter-protests, along with pro- and anti- Antifa demonstrations.

Just this last week, we saw a social media hoax that made hundreds of “militia” people appear in Gettysburg to prevent an “Antifa flag burning.” It’s only a matter of time until people start getting killed due to these online tricks. I strongly suspect this was a Russian operation, but I cannot prove it.

I believe Russian operatives are driving or amplifying some already tense situations. It’s not new. The techniques date back to the Soviet era when they were called “Active Measures.” The long-held and publicly disclosed Soviet strategy was to cause internal divisions within Western societies to weaken them. The underlying trouble remains the same, however: The fact that the US cannot tell for sure who is attacking them is a major national security problem.

Related: Exclusive Interview With Dan Fusco, CEO Of InnerPC

4. Question: Do you believe the COVID-19 pandemic is making it easier for attackers or otherwise?

Hugh Taylor: Yes, the pandemic provides more opportunities for social engineering and access control problems. With so many people working remotely, often on insecure devices, hackers can find more opportunities to penetrate networks.

5. Question: You’ve written other books in the past, but none has discussed America’s digital insecurities; what drew your attention to this topic?

Hugh Taylor: I have written books about standards-based software architecture and compliance. Over the years, this work, along with my other work on behalf of companies in the security space, has led me to see a pattern of insecurity. I felt motivated to research the issue more deeply and write “Digital Downfall.”

6. Question: What impact do you expect the book to create?

Hugh Taylor: This is one of many books addressing the overall issue of American cyber weakness. I hope that the book can help drive dialogues around improving the security of the underlying technology that powers so much of American life. I believe that current risks will only be mitigated if we can address the root causes of the problem.  

Digital Downfall

Interested in the book “Digital Downfall” by Hugh Taylor, you can get it on Amazon.

Note: This was initially published in July 2020, but has been updated for freshness and accuracy.

INTERESTING POSTS

10 Hand Gesture Emojis You Might Find Useful And Their Interpretations

Amaya Paucek | ✔️Fact-checked by: Christian Schmitz
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0
10 Hand Gesture Emojis You Might Find Useful And Their Interpretations

Here are 10 hand gesture emojis and their interpretation.

Hand Gestures are another way of communication. People who cannot speak use hand sign language to convey their messages without having to yell the words out of their minds.

However, hand gestures are limited to people who cannot speak and ordinary people who wish to communicate simply. Hand gestures can be helpful in our daily lives. Here are the most common hand gesture emojis and their interpretations:

10 Hand Gesture Emojis

1. Ok Hand Emoji

When you say “okay” or “ok,” it usually means that you approve of something or have accepted what has happened or is bound to happen. The ok hand emoji can also be used to say that you are already satisfied or feel pleased and content.

This emoji is portrayed as a hand gesture wherein the index finger is met by the thumb, forming a circle or round shape. In some places or countries, this sign can be a negative approach since they consider it insulting or call them an asshole, so you will have to be careful in using this emoji.

2. Raised Fist Emoji

This fist emoji is commonly used to convey a message with power. Politicians and organizations frequently use this hand gesture. This gesture means they will fight or stand for what they believe is right and beneficial. It recently became a symbol for the BLM, or the “black lives matter” sign.

3. Oncoming Fist Emoji

Another fist emoji is this oncoming fist emoji. Just like people greet each other with a high-five, some use their fists instead. Men or even women commonly use it they consider their “bro.” This gesture emoji is another way to say that you agree with each other.

4. Raised Back of Hand Emoji

Imagine someone in the class who would like to ask their teacher a question. You can see that they raise their palms in the air and have their palms facing the teacher or the person they want to ask. It is also another way to participate in a question. 

For example, a teacher asks who made the assignment, and you raise your hand since you have done it. In other words, this raised back-of-hand emoji is a way to signal a salutation.

5. Thumbs Up Emoji

While the ok hand emoji symbolizes “agreement” or “acceptance,” this emoji also has a similar interpretation. This emoji has no known negative connotation and agrees with something excellent or favourable.

6. Thumbs Down Emoji

Aside from the thumbs-up emoji, there is a different emoji for this: the thumbs-down emoji. It is a way to disagree or disapprove of something you do not support. This emoji has no definite meaning, but disliking something does not necessarily imply that it is a negative approach. It all depends on how you use it.

7. Backhand Index Pointing Left Emoji

Directions can be done without having to say them in words. You may use hand gestures to signal the direction you want to point to. This emoji can also be done virtually using emoticons, or emojis. When you want to look to the west or left, the appropriate emoji for this is the backhand index pointing to the left emoji.

8. Crossed Fingers Emoji

This crossed fingers emoji is commonly used to express wishing for good luck about something, or perhaps you want something great to occur that is favourable to you. This emoji also has religious meanings. 

Christians use this emoji to say that they ask God for their protection against everything evil and harmful. This emoji is also used to express a white lie or promise something you don’t intend to do.

9. Raised Hands Emoji

This raised hands emoji is one of the emojis that has many distinct meanings, but mostly positive ones. This emoji is portrayed as two palms raised together in the air. It can signify a victory or a “hooray.” This emoji can also signal that they are trying to imply that they want to “double high-five” with someone.

Like the previous hand gesture emoji, this emoji also has religious beliefs and is commonly used by the members. This emoji can mean they are worshipping their God or Heavenly Father.

10. Victory Hand Emoji

One of the most famous hand gesture emoji almost everyone uses is the victory hand emoji. This emoji can also be called the “peace sign.” This emoji has various meanings behind them, both positive and negative. This emoji may just be a peace sign to us, but this isn’t very respectful in British culture.

Be careful when using hand gesture emojis

Most emojis are mistakenly thought to have only positive meanings behind them, but in reality, there are more ways to use them and many connotations or interpretations behind them.

We must be careful when using them, even if they are only digital emoticons.

Note: This was initially published in August 2020, but has been updated for freshness and accuracy.

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Popular Emojis Used For Expressing True Feelings

Amaya Paucek | ✔️Fact-checked by: Christian Schmitz
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Popular Emojis Used For Expressing True Feelings

Here are popular emojis used for expressing true feelings.

When communicating with people, you often cannot reveal or express what you genuinely feel by using plain words.

Behavioral reactions or emotions that people express can be complicated for some, and merely sending emojis can help you. Emojis come in handy in showing your true self and personality since it is crucial whenever you communicate with someone.

Emotions are things that you are not in control of. The facial expression is based on what you are currently feeling. Now, developers have made sure that emojis that depict or show the exact facial expressions of people in various situations are there for people to use. These emojis are helpful when people do not want to explain their feelings through text messages.

Emojis have been a thing in modern times since they released these emoticons. People are fascinated and happy with what they can use, especially when they want to express their feelings towards a person, object, scenario, or real-life situation. This article will help you understand the meaning behind each of them and why they are trendy.

Popular Emojis Used For Expressing True Feelings

1. The Drooling Emoji

If you love eating or eating much of food and feel like your saliva is dripping because of hunger and cravings, this drooling emoji would best fit your current feeling. Sending these emojis to your friends whenever you are out for food or craving for something will make them envious of what you are eating. A lot of people use it, may it be the young ones or adults.

If you want to hang out with your friends and grab food or dine at a restaurant or fast-food chain, sending them this drooling face will let them know that you are hungry and craving something delicious. Whenever you feel like eating something or seeing food posts online, you can react or comment on a post with a drooling face to indicate you love it.

Expressing hunger and cravings has never been made more accessible. A lot of people think that the drooling face is for food only. People are unaware that you can use this emoji whenever you feel delighted.

You can use this drooling emoji for your reactions whenever you like or love something, whether it is a house, a dress, a person, a car, etc.. Using this drooling emoji will show how you badly want to acquire things that catch your attention.

2. The Smiling Emoji With Hearts Or The Smiling In Love Emoji

The Smiling Emoji With Hearts Or The Smiling In Love Emoji  

Today, a newly developed smiley face surrounded by hearts is popular among people posting statuses or sending messages. This emoji was loved by many since it is very relatable and easy to comprehend. Many people have been using this type of emoji, but what is the meaning behind it?

This emoji is described by many as the “smiling in love” emoji or the “smiling emoji with hearts.” Many people use this emoji in situations where they comfortably show their love, care, and real feelings towards a person or a life event. You can also use it to describe your love for animals, things, events, and other things in real life. 

READ ALSO: Is Cyberbullying Worse Than Ever Before?

This emoji can also mean you have butterflies in your stomach whenever you get complimented—this emoji is designed with floating red hearts surrounding a smiley, blushing face. You can use this emoji to imply deep love and affection whenever you feel romantically attached to someone. 

3. The Pinched Fingers Emoji

Emphasizing a statement has never been easier because these pinched finger emojis can let others know you are explaining a serious matter. If you are proving a point in any situation or argument, you can send them this emoji to let them know you are stressing what they find hard to understand.  

This pinched finger emoji is a hand gesture commonly used by people when they find the need to stress things. People often use this whenever they ask questions in a moody tone. They can make this hand gesture or send a pinched finger emoji if they are curious. This emoji also shows a low level of patience for someone.

4. The Baby Angel Emoji

The Baby Angel Emoji

Cute emojis are made to express your feelings playfully, but this baby angel emoji has more meaning. With a stunning golden halo on top of its head and open wings, this emoji can depict a person’s true personality. This Baby Angel Emoji can correlate to a person’s characteristics, feelings, vibes, or attitude.

The feeling of innocence and pureness can be hard to express, but with this baby angel emoji, people will know you are kind, loving, forgiving, and understanding. Giving off a good vibe is what this baby angel emoji brings.

5. The Famous Red Heart Emoji

We all know that hearts automatically mean love for a person or thing, among all colors created on heart emojis. The solid red heart never goes out of style since it is the primary heart color many people are fond of utilizing.

Saying I Love You can be expressed or shown by merely sending a heart emoji to people. This emoji will uplift the mood of your friend, lover, family, or best friend. This emoji helps you convey your sincere feelings towards your loved ones without using words.

This heart emoji is popular on Valentine’s Day, but you can still use it on simple occasions like anniversaries, birthdays, graduation, and other important life events that you find essential. You can never go wrong whenever you use hearts on people you love the most. 

Use Emojis To Make Your Messages More Interesting

This article showed five emojis that people use to express their feelings. It is a simple way of letting others know your personality, real emotions, reactions, and more.

Remember that before using any emojis, you should be aware of their meanings since not all depict only one meaning. Some of the emojis have several meanings bound to them.

Note: This was initially published in August 2020, but has been updated for freshness and accuracy.

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Identity And Access Management Takes Up A Month Every IT Year

John Raymond | ✔️Fact-checked by: Christian Schmitz
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Identity And Access Management Takes Up A Month Every IT Year

Do you know that IT takes a month each year to manage identity and access? 1Password research finds that 20% of workers don’t follow company security policies all the time, enabled by IT departments who empathize with the pursuit of productivity.

A half-month-long survey carried out by AgileBits Inc. 1Password has revealed that in every IT year, identity and access management takes up one month. This was shown to be because not all workers follow company security policies. 

The research which was conducted from April 15 to April 23, 2020, was carried out via an e-survey structure developed by Method Research and distributed by Dynata. It involved up to 1,000 desk-job employees, all employed in the United States. 

Out of the 1,000 employees, about 500 were staff in the IT department of their respective companies. The remaining were from all the other departments. In addition, all the interviewed employees were well over 18 years old and were from different areas in the US. 

READ ALSO: Compliance In The Cloud: Why IAM Is Critical

According to the survey results, IT staff tasks themselves with Identity and Access Management duties like tracking app usage and resetting passwords. This goes on for about 21 days, about 9 days shy of a full month. 

Going into more detail, the survey showed that 15% of IT staff engage in employee password resetting a minimum of 21 times every week. About 57% of IT staff engage in the same for up to 5 times every week. 

The survey extended to Shadow IT behavior in the current remote working situation and the convenience, productivity, and security achievement power of the EPM. 

In all of this, the IT employees revealed a significant problem: the lack of reliable technology resources. Also, not all IT workers follow company security policies, which are tied down to the concern for employee effectiveness. 

4% of IT staff do not enforce company security policies at all because of the inconvenience of managing them and the productivity of the company’s workforce. About 25% enforce the policies but not universally, only in specific departments. 

For 38% of the interviewed workers, their companies do not engage in robust security policies, so the enforcement process is not very strict.

READ ALSO: Identity Theft Is Not A Joke, Jim [MUST READ Parody]

Password managers like 1Password continue to make tasks easier for the IT department, and 89% of IT employees confirm this. 57% attest to password managers helping them save time and frustration, while 37% confirm it helps improve productivity. 

They also help create happier employees, according to 26% of the staff, and another 26% attest to it helping prevent cyberattacks.

READ ALSO: How To Remotely Access Corporate Data Securely Without A VPN

Identity and Access Management (IAM): A Month Out of Your IT Year – FAQs

What is the identity and access management cycle?

The identity and access management (IAM) cycle refers to the ongoing process of managing user identities and their access privileges within a system or network. It’s a continuous loop that ensures the right people have access to the right resources at the right time.

What is the identity and access management process?

The IAM process typically involves several key stages:

  1. Provisioning: Creating new user accounts and assigning them initial access levels based on their role.
  2. Access Management: Granting or denying specific permissions to access resources (applications, data, systems) based on user roles and responsibilities.
  3. Governance & Compliance: Defining policies and procedures for user access and adhering to relevant security regulations.
  4. Monitoring & Auditing: Tracking user activity and access attempts to identify anomalies or suspicious behavior.
  5. Review & Re-certification: Regularly review user access privileges and adjust them based on role changes, promotions, or terminations.
  6. Deactivation/deprovisioning: Revoking access and potentially deleting user accounts when employment ends or access is no longer required.

What is the identity and access management standard?

There isn’t a single, universally mandated IAM standard. However, several industry best practices and frameworks guide IAM implementation. These frameworks like NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) provide secure identity and access management guidelines.

What are the stages of identity and access management?

The stages mentioned previously (provisioning, access management, governance, monitoring, review, deactivation) represent the core stages of the IAM lifecycle. While the specific names or order might vary slightly depending on the chosen framework, these stages ensure a comprehensive approach to user identity and access throughout their time within the system.

An important takeaway is that IAM is not a one-time setup. It’s a continuous cycle that requires ongoing monitoring, review, and adjustments. While a month of dedicated effort might be dedicated to initial setup or policy refinement, maintaining a secure IAM system is essential to any IT department’s ongoing responsibilities.

Note: This was initially published in August 2020, but has been updated for freshness and accuracy.

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Twitter Hack: Major Celebrities accounts used for Bitcoin Scam

John Raymond | ✔️Fact-checked by: Christian Schmitz
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Twitter Hack: Major Celebrities accounts used for Bitcoin Scam

The social media landscape witnessed a shocking event on July 15th, 2020. Twitter, a platform boasting over 330 million monthly users at the time, was struck by a cyberattack that compromised the accounts of prominent celebrities and corporations.

This wasn’t a random targeting of a few profiles; verified accounts with millions of followers, including those belonging to Elon Musk, Apple, Joe Biden, Jeff Bezos, and even former presidents like Barack Obama, were hijacked.

2020 Twitter Hack: A Daring Bitcoin Scam

The motive behind the hack was a brazen Bitcoin scam. Hackers gained control of these high-profile accounts and tweeted messages promising to double any Bitcoin sent to specific wallet addresses.

The tweets, often crafted to appear legitimate, enticed unsuspecting users. A common tactic involved requesting $1,000 in Bitcoin with the promise of receiving $2,000 in return.

The allure of doubling their money proved irresistible to some, leading to a reported loss of over $100,000 in stolen Bitcoin.

A Sophisticated Breach Exposes Security Gaps

The scale and sophistication of the attack were unprecedented. Investigators concluded it wasn’t a random attempt but a meticulously planned operation.

Hackers breached Twitter’s internal systems, bypassing security measures to gain control of these highly coveted accounts. The ease with which they navigated Twitter’s defenses pointed towards potential vulnerabilities within the platform itself.

Twitter Reacts and Locks Down Accounts

Hours after the initial breach, Twitter acknowledged the situation through its official support channel.

While details remained scarce, they advised users to reset their passwords and implement additional security measures. Notably, some verified accounts were temporarily restricted from tweeting, presumably to prevent further exploitation.

Social Media’s Vulnerability to High-Profile Scams

The incident highlighted the susceptibility of social media platforms to cyberattacks, particularly those targeting high-profile accounts. Bitcoin scams, although not new on Twitter, were amplified by the sheer number of compromised accounts involved.

Leveraging the trust associated with verified profiles, the hackers effectively bypassed the skepticism users might usually hold towards such financial offers.

READ ALSO: Controlling Data Breach And The Use Of DRM For Document Security

Tracing the Hackers: A Challenge in the Blockchain Age

Unfortunately, the decentralized nature of Bitcoin transactions made tracing the perpetrators a significant challenge.

Publicly available wallet addresses offered little in identifying the hackers, as the blockchain technology behind Bitcoin prioritizes anonymity.

Unconfirmed Rumors and Questions of an Insider Job

Amidst the chaos, unconfirmed reports on Twitter emerged, pointing the finger at a former Twitter developer, Samuel Hyde (@inteldotwav). However, Twitter never officially addressed this claim, leaving the true identity of the hackers shrouded in mystery.

The possibility of an “inside job” raised crucial questions about Twitter’s internal security protocols. If the breach originated from within the company, it indicated a significant vulnerability in access control and employee vetting procedures.

Individual Responsibility: Securing Your Accounts

However, focusing solely on the attacker diminishes the importance of individual account security. Regardless of the hack’s origin, Twitter users have a responsibility to safeguard their accounts.

Fortunately, Twitter offers robust security features like two-factor authentication (2FA), which adds an extra layer of protection during login attempts. Implementing 2FA significantly strengthens your account’s resilience against unauthorized access.

Read Also: The Must Dos And Don’ts For Protecting Your Password And Personal Data

Beyond 2FA: The Importance of Strong Passwords

Beyond 2FA, the importance of strong passwords cannot be overstated. Complex passwords incorporating a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols are significantly harder to crack than simple, predictable phrases. Regularly changing your password further enhances security.

2020 Twitter Hack: Frequently Asked Questions

How did Twitter get hacked?

The attackers used social engineering, a tactic where they manipulated people into giving away information. They likely targeted Twitter employees with phishing emails or phone calls, tricking them into revealing login credentials or access to internal systems. This gave the hackers a foothold within Twitter, allowing them to hijack high-profile accounts.

READ ALSO: Identity Protection Explained in Fewer than 140 Characters

What was the Twitter phishing case in July 2020?

The July 2020 Twitter hack involved a social engineering attack that compromised numerous verified accounts. Hackers gained access and used them to promote a Bitcoin scam, defrauding unsuspecting users.

When was Twitter last hacked?

There have been other hacking incidents on Twitter besides the July 2020 event. However, it’s important to note that successful large-scale hacks like this one are uncommon.

How many accounts were hacked on Twitter?

Twitter has undisclosed the exact number of hacked accounts in July 2020. However, reports suggest it involved over 130 accounts, including many high-profile verified users.

How do your accounts get hacked?

There are various ways your accounts can be hacked. Phishing emails and fake websites are common methods. Here are some tips to protect yourself:

  • Be cautious of suspicious emails and links. Don’t click on links or attachments from unknown senders.
  • Use strong, unique passwords for each account. Consider a password manager to help you create and manage complex passwords.
  • Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on all your accounts whenever possible. This adds an extra layer of security during login attempts.
  • Beware of social media scams. If an offer seems too good to be true, it probably is. Don’t send money or personal information based on unsolicited messages.

A Lasting Impact: Lessons Learned

The 2020 Twitter hack served as a stark reminder of the ever-evolving cyber threat landscape. It exposed vulnerabilities within the platform and highlighted the importance of user vigilance.

By implementing robust security measures like 2FA and strong passwords, users can take control of their online safety. Social media platforms are also responsible for continually strengthening their defenses and prioritizing user account security.

This Twitter hack incident serves as a cautionary tale, urging users and platforms to remain vigilant and proactive in the face of evolving cyber threats. The digital landscape is constantly changing, and both individual and collective efforts are crucial to maintaining a secure online environment.

Note: This was initially published in July 2020, but has been updated for freshness and accuracy.

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