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EasyJet Data Breach: Confirms Cybercriminals Hijacked Data of Millions

Abraham Faisal | ✔️Fact-checked by: Christian Schmitz
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EasyJet Data Breach: Confirms Cybercriminals Hijacked Data of Millions

Four years later: EasyJet data breach reveals 9 million customer information exposed, raising new questions.

EasyJet Plc. has confirmed that a cyberattack compromised the data of 9 million customers, including email addresses, travel details, and, most concerning, credit card information for 2,208 individuals.

This update comes almost a year after the initial breach was announced in May 2020, highlighting the ongoing investigation and potential consequences.

The airline described the attack as “highly sophisticated” and emphasized that they have notified affected customers and reported the incident to relevant authorities.

However, the delay in uncovering the full scope of the breach raises questions about EasyJet’s security measures and potential financial repercussions.

EasyJet Data Breach: Key Points

EasyJet Data Breach: Key Points

  • 9 million customers affected: Email addresses and travel details exposed.
  • 2,208 credit card details compromised: Heightened risk of financial fraud.
  • Investigation ongoing: EasyJet cooperates with authorities.
  • Potential fines loom: Similarities to past incidents raise concerns about regulatory penalties.
  • No evidence of data misuse: However, customers advised to be vigilant against phishing scams.

Experts Weigh In

“This incident underscores the ever-evolving threat of cyberattacks and the importance of robust security systems,” says Johan Lundgren/

While it’s encouraging that EasyJet reported the breach promptly, the delayed discovery of compromised credit card information is concerning.”

READ ALSO: Using Artificial Intelligence To Keep Your Financial Data Safe [Infographics]

Impact on Customers

Affected customers are advised to change their passwords, monitor their accounts for suspicious activity, and be cautious of phishing attempts.

EasyJet has offered credit monitoring services to those whose credit card details were exposed.

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EasyJet Data Breach: FAQs

EasyJet Data Breach: FAQs

What happened in the EasyJet data breach?

In May 2020, cybercriminals accessed the data of approximately 9 million EasyJet customers. This included email addresses, travel details, and credit card information for 2,208 individuals. The airline initially reported no credit card details were compromised, but this was later updated.

What information was exposed?

For most customers, the exposed information included email addresses and travel details. For 2,208 individuals, credit card information was also compromised.

What are the potential consequences for affected customers?

Customers whose credit card details were exposed are at risk of financial fraud. They should monitor their accounts closely and change their passwords. All affected customers should be wary of phishing scams attempting to exploit this breach.

How can I protect myself from future data breaches?

Be cautious about the information you share online, use strong and unique passwords, and be wary of phishing attempts. Regularly monitor your accounts for suspicious activity and consider using credit monitoring services.

READ ALSO: 5G Networks Are Likely to be Hacked: The Unseen Vulnerabilities

EasyJet’s Actions Following the Data Breach: A Summary

Since the initial announcement of the data breach in May 2020, EasyJet has taken several steps to address the issue and its potential consequences. Here’s a breakdown of their actions:

Immediate Actions

  • Notified affected customers: EasyJet started contacting affected individuals whose credit card details were compromised in April 2020, followed by notifications to all affected customers in May.
  • Offered credit monitoring: The airline provided complimentary credit monitoring services to customers whose credit card details were exposed.
  • Reported the breach to authorities: EasyJet informed the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) in the UK and the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) about the incident.
  • Launched an investigation: They initiated an internal investigation to understand the nature and scope of the breach.

Ongoing Actions

  • Strengthening security measures: EasyJet has stated that they are reviewing and enhancing their security systems to prevent similar incidents in the future. However, specifics of these improvements haven’t been publicly disclosed.
  • Cooperating with investigations: The airline continues to cooperate with the ICO and other authorities in their investigations.

Challenges and Unknowns

  • Potential fines: Similar data breaches have resulted in significant fines for other companies. EasyJet may face penalties from regulatory bodies like the ICO, but the final outcome is still unknown.
  • Customer trust: Regaining customer trust after a data breach is critical. EasyJet’s long-term impact on customer sentiment remains to be seen.
  • Lessons learned: The full details of the investigation and the effectiveness of EasyJet’s response are yet to be publicly released. Sharing these learnings with the industry could benefit other organizations facing similar threats.

While EasyJet has taken steps to address the data breach, its full impact and long-term consequences are still unfolding. Staying informed through reliable sources and following the latest updates from the airline and regulatory bodies is crucial.

Additionally, remember that EasyJet may not disclose all details of their response due to ongoing investigations and security concerns.

READ ALSO: 5 Cybersecurity Tips To Protect Your Digital Assets As A Business

Looking Forward

The full impact of this data breach, including potential fines and customer lawsuits, remains to be seen. EasyJet faces the challenge of regaining customer trust and demonstrating its commitment to data security in a rapidly evolving threat landscape.

Why not learn how to protect your organization against internal threats.

Note: This news was originally published in May 2020 but has been updated.

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Breachers Gonna Breach: Protect Your Organization From Internal Threats

Chandra Palan | ✔️Fact-checked by: Daniel Segun
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Breachers Gonna Breach: Protect Your Organization From Internal Threats

Companies tend to put the majority of their focus on preventing external threats—such as hackers and viruses—despite the fact that internal threats are more common. It’s likely your organization spends considerable resources to protect itself against data breaches—and rightly so. Data breaches can result in compliance violations, large expenses, and damaged reputations.

According to the Ponemon Institute’s 2020 Cost of Insider Threats Report, insider-caused cybersecurity threats are up 47% since 2018 and the average annual cost of internal threats has risen to $11.45 million—up 31% in two years.

Internal breaches sprout from a wide array of motivations: a current employee feels overlooked for an opportunity; a departing employee wants to impress their new employer by copying intellectual property or contact lists; or a contractor is unhappy about being let go.

The added danger of these internal threats is they can easily go undetected. They have all the access, but who’d suspect a current employee? It would likely be an invisible attack. Further, many organizations fail to adequately remove access from departing or terminated employees.

Incomplete offboarding remains a major risk throughout many businesses, but former employees are quickly forgotten. Too often, no one is looking for or monitoring their accounts. Plus, these users tend to know their way around the network.

An internal breach in 2017 saw the City of Calgary’s payout fines of 92.9 million Canadian dollars. This scandal started when an email was sent by an employee to a colleague at another municipality. The email shared personal information of more than 3,700 employees. Leaving your network unprotected can leave you vulnerable to a similar threat.

Manual Access Management

identity and access management

When access management is done manually, the granting and revocation of access often has flaws. Manual efforts regularly suffer from a lack of consistent data entry and logging—causing inconsistencies and loss of records—or from lax policies. Employees are frequently given too much access and, with no review system in place, this leads to severe oversights both during and after employment.

Each employee or contractor’s manager is responsible for making the IT team aware of the level of access needed (i.e. read, write, edit, admin), so the IT staff can issue the relevant permissions for each organizational system, app, and file share. However, IT staff do not have the day-to-day business and operational experience to determine which user roles should access what.

Making requests and waiting for them to be fulfilled can often be time-consuming. As a result of this, managers frequently request excess access to avoid having to request additional rights in the future. This can lead to employees acquiring a level of access that they shouldn’t have.

This ‘extra access’, also known as permission bloat, can lead to a large security risk to your organization. Even if the employee has no malicious intent, there is always the chance that their credentials are stolen, and if that happens, a large amount of your organization’s resources become put at risk.

In addition, managers are responsible for notifying the IT department when an employee is terminated or departing. This notice should begin the offboarding process so the given user’s access can be revoked. If managers forget or take longer than is ideal, employees may retain access to sensitive information/resources after their term of employment has ended.

Even if the offboarding process is executed, IT has to check every location and resource in your environment to which the given user retained access. Any missed spots risk breaches or compliance violations and manual management efforts simply aren’t thorough enough.

Vast and overlooked access rights lack transparency and leave a great deal of room for human error or exploitation by malicious actors. They are unequivocally, without a doubt, a massive cause of internal breaches, and an issue your organization needs to address.

So, what’s the solution?

With one of the biggest internal threats to data security right under the noses of organizations, how do you make access easier while retaining security against the threat of data breaches?

The level of security employed would typically depend on the sensitivity of the data being protected and the compliance pressures stemming from your organization’s particular industry.

That said, there are a few universal steps that all organizations can take to not only mitigate breaches, but also optimize their processes. With automation, the entire provisioning and access management processes are made more centralized, efficient, cost-effective, and transparent.

How To Protect Your Organization From Internal Threats

1. User provisioning

Protect Your Organization From Internal Threats

Let’s look at access in a chronological sense, starting with onboarding. Unlike manual processes, identity and access management (IAM) solutions connects disparate management systems throughout the network to automate processes.

For example, the HRMS tracks users’ personal details—e.g., their names and addresses, employment start and end dates, departments, positions—and then the IAM solution automatically synchronizes users’ account information between the HRMS and the network.

Changes made in the HRMS are detected, then automatically updated or implemented across the network. The management dashboard within an IAM solution allows IT and managerial staff to oversee access beyond the automated processes.

2. Access governance

automated access governance solution

An automated access governance solution integrates with the IAM tool to determine, on a per-user basis, what access rights a user should have.

Authorization matrices in the solution use an employee or contractor’s job role to determine access rights for various company resources. These rights include whether the employee or contractor can perform certain transactions, access a particular system, or access specific physical locations.

To enforce this authorization matrix, access rights are recorded in the solution and then issued, changed, and withdrawn for each user accordingly. This type of role-based access control allows for the ability to oversee and track individuals who have access to what, and these changes can be monitored.

Automated solutions also allow managers to generate overviews of and fully report on each employee or contractor’s activity. The IAM technology logs and tracks the individuals performing activities and when these occured.

Solutions that automatically revise access rights according to user changes help prevent permission bloat by ensuring every employee is held to the Principle of Least Privilege (PoLP).

Adhering to PoLP ensures that your users retain access to exactly the resources they need—no more, no less. This prevents the security and compliance risks that occur over time due to unreviewed access rights.

3. Workflow management and self-service

Workflow management and self-service

While automated provisioning helps keep onboarding efforts secure, some users require additional access rights beyond what is configured for their base job role. Whether additional assignments, temporary projects, or other responsibilities, not every employee will perfectly fit your role model.

To account for unique roles and the many other unplanned for scenarios that occur within organizations, access must be maintained appropriately throughout the employee/contractor lifecycle.

Workflow management and self-service solutions allow team members and leaders to request, monitor and approve resources without any IT intervention. For example, an employee that needs access to a resource to complete a task will request access to an that resource (whether it is an application or a file share). The approval process for granting that access should be part of a structured workflow within the overall IAM solution.

Then, the team leader authorizes each permission or request and how access is granted within the network. The employee receives access to the required resource and moves forward with the tasks at hand. Note that with the right solution, all these processes are executed with zero IT involvement.

A strong self-service solution will allow users to directly request access from their managers or the appointed and knowledgeable decision-maker. As already mentioned, IT staff do not typically have the knowledge of day-to-day business operations and what access may or may not be problematic. Bypassing IT allows the correct people to approve or deny the request, with the solution executing all changes automatically. Moments after requesting a resource, a manger can approve it; moments after approval, the user has their resource.

Not only do IAM solutions make it easy to grant and revoke user access rights, but they can also grant or revoke physical access to work areas, and allow the user to submit helpdesk tickets.

4. User de-provisioning

The final stage of the employee/contractor lifecycle requires deprovisioning whether they are departing to a new organization, their contract simply expired, they were terminated, or other reason. De-provisioning should be your organization’s number one priority since orphaned accounts (accounts without an active user) often pose as major security risks, if not taken care of properly.

IAM solutions can detect a change in an employee or contractor’s employment status in the HRMS system and instantly disable the network account in all centrally located systems and applications.

If an employee or contractor terminates their employment early for some reason, make sure your organization’s policies include alerting the IT team or the systems administrator, so someone can revoke all access within the IAM system. The transparency provided by an automated IAM system reduces access pollution, so you can clearly see when all access is removed.

Bottom Line – Internalize Security

access rights

In today’s competitive business landscape, a breach scandal can sink an organization. It’s important to protect against both external threats and the more-common internal threats.

An IAM system replaces spreadsheets and other manual entry templates. It ensures that all users maintain the correct authorizations appropriate to their individual roles, as well as relieves the IT team from mundane and repetitive provisioning tasks. With all that time reclaimed, IT can focus on other, more impactful projects instead of menial data entry.

IAM solutions streamline access management, increase efficiency, and provide a transparent access trail for easy auditing that relieves worries of compliance and auditing on polluted file systems. The sophisticated access controls and automated processes help minimize the typical weak points exploited by internal security threats.

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Small Business Hiring Mastery: Building High-Performing Teams

Daniel Segun | ✔️Fact-checked by: Angela Daniel
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Small Business Hiring Mastery: Building High-Performing Teams

In this post, I will talk about building high-performing teams.

No matter the type of business you run, building a strong team is critical to its success. But securing top talent is easier said than done.

You not only have to offer the right benefits to these candidates but also have to go above and beyond just to find them among a sea of applicants. To help you ace this ongoing test of managing a business, here’s a quick guide on mastering the art of recruitment. 

Discover what your workforce needs are

Small Business Hiring Mastery: Building High-Performing Teams

Before you start writing job posts and announcing deadlines to your team, take a moment actually to figure out your hiring needs.

This is where you have to determine what type of employees you need for your business and what your specific requirements are for them. From there, you can better prepare for dealing with recruitment challenges like cybersecurity talent shortages. 

Be wary of recruitment costs

Whether you have a dedicated recruitment department or not, looking for new talent can cost a pretty penny. That is why you need to be wary of your overall recruitment costs before you kick-start this process.

From performing cheap background checks to going paperless, you can also take several steps to reduce your spending during the search for your next employee. 

Ask open-ended questions

Another tip to building high-performing teams is to ask open-ended questions. It’s fine to ask some “yes” or “no” questions during aptitude tests. But when it comes to interviews, you should not touch them with a ten-foot pole.

Instead, you should set your gaze on open-ended questions to learn more about your potential employees. If you use an employee chat software, you can brainstorm with your recruitment team on which questions to ask candidates. 

Ensure you’ve found the right fit

A strong team goes beyond degrees and skills on paper. It also means that your employees are right in line with your business’ vision.

When you take your time to assess each candidate’s suitability for your company culture, you can increase your chances of working with them for a long time. This makes it one of the top secrets for running a successful business. 

Take Stakeholders Into Account

Take Stakeholders Into Account

If you’ve ever used an employee engagement app, you may know the power of gathering feedback in real-time. This also applies to the process of looking for new employees who need to work with your existing team members.

By respecting the views of line managers and senior employees about the hiring process, you can pave the way to having a formidable workforce under your roof. 

Make Pre-Screening a Habit

If you don’t want to end up with a barrage of candidates at your workplace, you should turn to pre-screening.

This practice lets you filter applicants through activities like phone interviews and aptitude tests, which leaves you with the cream of the crop for main interviews. If you have a firm grasp of using programs like an online form builder, you can design a pre-screening process with specialized apps. 

Learn the Long-term Plans of Candidates

Whether you make this a part of pre-screening or the main interview, asking candidates about their long-term plans can help you assess if they see themselves with your business in a few years.

In case you plan to find your business’ new leadership in these new hires, this lets you ensure that you pick people who plan to stick with you for the long haul. 

Make a Comprehensive Plan

The recruitment process demands a high level of attention due to its high stakes. While candidates fulfill this requirement with practices like including must-have sections on resumes, you should make it a point to address it by putting together a comprehensive plan.

During this activity, you can look into tried-and-tested recruitment tips and also include any other suggestions that you learn from recruitment experts on your team. 

READ ALSO: Managing Remote Teams: Best Practices for Team Extension and Outsourcing

Building High-Performing Teams: Frequently Asked Questions

What are the 5 C’s of high-performing teams?

There isn’t a universally agreed-upon set of “5 C’s” for high-performing teams, but here are some common characteristics that contribute to success:

  • Clarity: Clear goals, roles, expectations, and communication are essential. Everyone on the team should understand their individual responsibilities and how their work contributes to the overall objective.
  • Communication: Open, honest, and frequent communication is key. Team members should feel comfortable sharing ideas, concerns, and feedback.
  • Commitment: Team members who are committed to the team’s goals and are willing to go the extra mile are crucial for success.
  • Competency: The team should have the necessary skills and knowledge to perform their tasks effectively.
  • Conflict Management: High-performing teams can manage disagreements constructively and use them as opportunities for growth.

Some additional characteristics often cited include:

  • Trust: Team members who trust each other are more likely to collaborate effectively and take risks.
  • Psychological Safety: A feeling of safety where team members feel comfortable taking risks and admitting mistakes without fear of retribution.
  • Diversity: Teams with diverse perspectives and backgrounds can be more creative and innovative.

How to build a high-performing team?

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach, but here are some key steps:

  1. Set Clear Goals: Define the team’s goals and ensure everyone understands how their work contributes to those goals.
  2. Assemble the Right People: Focus on building a team with the necessary skills, experience, and complementary personalities.
  3. Foster Open Communication: Encourage open communication and active listening within the team.
  4. Provide Support and Recognition: Offer resources, training, and recognition to help team members succeed.
  5. Establish Trust and Psychological Safety: Create a safe space for team members to share ideas and concerns without fear of judgment.
  6. Manage Conflict Effectively: Equip team members with conflict resolution skills and establish clear processes for addressing disagreements.
  7. Celebrate Successes: Recognize and celebrate the team’s achievements to maintain morale and motivation.

What does building high-performing teams mean?

Building high-performing teams means creating a group of individuals who are not only skilled and knowledgeable but also work effectively together towards a common goal. It’s about fostering an environment where collaboration, communication, and trust lead to exceptional results.

What are 3 things the team did to build a high-performing team?

This question requires a specific scenario to give the most relevant answer. However, here are some general examples of what a team might have done:

  • Team Building Activities: Engaged in team-building exercises to improve communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills.
  • Established Clear Roles and Responsibilities: Defined clear roles for each team member to avoid confusion and duplication of effort.
  • Implemented Effective Communication Channels: Created open communication channels to ensure everyone is informed, heard, and aligned.
  • Focused on Continuous Improvement: Constantly evaluated their processes and sought ways to improve communication, efficiency, and overall effectiveness.

By understanding these concepts, you can take steps to build high-performing teams that achieve great things.

A Final Word

This advice lets you speed through the challenges of building a high-performing team without making your small business pay the toll for it. This unlocks the door to success that you can only get through with a strong workforce by your side.

Leave a comment below on building high-performing teams.

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What You Need to Know About NIST Cybersecurity Framework

Chandra Palan
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What You Need to Know About NIST Cybersecurity Framework

I will talk about NIST Cybersecurity Framework today. In today’s threat landscape, maintaining robust cybersecurity measures is a top priority for every organization.

With persistent and increasingly sophisticated cyber-attacks, safeguarding sensitive data, protecting intellectual property, and ensuring the continuity of crucial business systems can be daunting tasks.

Fortunately, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) offers a powerful solution to support American businesses in addressing these challenges: the NIST Cybersecurity Framework. NIST Cybersecurity Framework is accessible to and valuable for any organization, even though it was created to safeguard Department of Defense activities and vital infrastructure in the US.

What Is NIST CSF?

What You Need to Know About NIST Cybersecurity Framework

The NIST Cybersecurity Framework provides a comprehensive set of rules and best practices to help organizations develop and improve their cybersecurity posture. It offers a consistent set of guidelines, standards, and recommendations to assist companies across industries in recognizing and mitigating cyber threats.

Whether you are building a cybersecurity program from scratch or looking to enhance an existing one, the NIST CSF can serve as a valuable tool. The framework comprises five fundamental functions that encompass all aspects of cybersecurity talents, initiatives, workflows, and regular tasks:

  • Identify: This function focuses on gaining a detailed understanding of the organization’s critical resources and assets to protect against cyber-attacks. It includes categories such as business environment, asset management, risk assessment, governance, risk management tactics, and supply chain management.
  • Protect: This function involves implementing suitable safeguards and protective measures to ensure the security of key infrastructure functions. It encompasses areas such as awareness and education, data protection procedures, maintenance, protective technology, identity management, and access control.
  • Detect: The detect function aims to establish safeguards that provide early warning signs of cyber-attacks. It involves identifying anomalies, ongoing security monitoring, and implementing effective detection procedures.
  • Respond: In the event of a cybersecurity incident, this function ensures a well-coordinated response. It includes planning for incident response, communication strategies, incident analysis, mitigation measures, and continuous improvement.
  • Recover: The recovery function focuses on strategies for resilience and business continuity following a cyberattack or security breach. It encompasses actions such as communication planning and recovery plan enhancements.

READ ALSO: What Are The Best Practices For Internet Customer Support?

Advantages of NIST CSF

Advantages of NIST CSF

For managing cybersecurity risk, the NIST CSF offers a consistent vocabulary and organized process. The Framework Core describes resources for information and activities that may be integrated into cybersecurity programs. It is intended to supplement your present cybersecurity program rather than to replace it.

Organizations can determine areas where current processes need to be strengthened or where processes need to be added by developing a Framework Profile. These profiles help enhance communication inside your business and strengthen your risk management plan, together with the language provided in the Framework Core.

Your organization can choose cost-effective defensive measures that will be performed depending on information systems, environment, and the likelihood of cybersecurity incidents by combining a Framework Profile with an implementation strategy. Plus, the profiles they produce can be used as powerful evidence to prove due diligence.

Lastly, the Framework Implementation Tiers give your company context regarding the strength of your cybersecurity plan and if you have used the right amount of rigor given the complexity and size of your business. Budget, risk tolerance, and mission priority can all be discussed using tiers as communication tools.

READ ALSO: The Best Antivirus Software

NIST Cybersecurity Framework: Frequently Asked Questions

What is the NIST Cybersecurity Framework and what does it do?

The NIST CSF is a non-prescriptive framework that outlines key cybersecurity activities and best practices. It helps organizations identify, prioritize, and implement appropriate cybersecurity measures based on their unique risk profile. The framework is not a compliance requirement, but it can be used to support compliance with other regulations.

Who should use the NIST Cybersecurity Framework?

The NIST CSF is designed to be adaptable and can be used by organizations of all sizes and across various industries. It is particularly beneficial for:

  • Critical infrastructure providers: Organizations responsible for essential services like energy, communications, and transportation.
  • Government agencies: Federal, state, and local government entities looking to improve their cybersecurity posture.
  • Private sector organizations: Businesses of all sizes seeking to manage their cybersecurity risks.

What are the key components of the NIST Cybersecurity Framework?

The framework consists of five core functions:

  • Identify: Understand your assets, systems, and data.
  • Protect: Implement safeguards to protect your assets.
  • Detect: Continuously monitor for suspicious activity.
  • Respond: Contain an incident and restore normal operations.
  • Recover: Learn from incidents and improve your security posture.

Each function is further divided into categories and subcategories, providing specific activities and considerations.

Is the NIST Cybersecurity Framework mandatory?

No, the NIST Cybersecurity Framework is voluntary. However, many government agencies and critical infrastructure organizations are encouraged or required to use it. Additionally, many companies choose to use the framework even though it is not mandatory, as it provides a valuable tool for managing cybersecurity risks.

Endnote

The NIST CSF provides a powerful toolset to enhance how organizations identify, detect, respond to, and recover from cyber risk. By adopting the framework and tailoring it to your specific business needs, you can strengthen your risk management procedures and bolster your cybersecurity defenses.

Take advantage of this valuable resource to protect your organization’s assets, maintain customer trust, and ensure business continuity in the face of evolving cyber threats.

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Data Security – How Safe Is Data In Our Technology Driven World?

Marie Beaujolie | ✔️Fact-checked by: Angela Daniel
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Data Security – How Safe Is Data In Our Technology Driven World?

Nowadays, data security is vital for every internet user. And while you may not be in danger of getting mugged or stabbed, criminals on the internet are after something much more valuable: data.

And every digital interaction, whether with a device, application, or feature, generates data. Is yours safe enough in a world that looks like ours? Read on to find out more.

Almost everyone is an internet user these days. The United States of America has some of the highest internet penetration stats in the world. Residential services like Cox internet plans cover most households located in key markets.

When not using their home Wi-Fi, people still use mobile internet services instead of staying offline till they can connect to a wireless network again.

Most businesses, educational institutes, medical service providers, and even not-for-profit organizations rely heavily on the internet as well. Many aspects of our lives are now driven by digital technology.

However, given how much internet use and various devices have cemented themselves in our lives, it is easy to become complacent. The internet isn’t always a safe place.

Data Security In A World Driven By Technology

data safety

Early internet access was restricted to government and military use. In fact, the first internet network was developed as a fail-safe to ensure government operations in case a nuclear attack disrupted conventional communication.

That’s right! Cold War paranoia led to the development of one of the most significant technologies in human history. But in the early 90s, the internet became commercially available.

Over the decades, it penetrated not just homes and offices in the United States but also all over the world. Today, smartphones, computers, and even IoT devices rely on internet networks to work.

However, around the same time the internet became a commercially available service, a new breed of criminals began to emerge. Cybercriminals are undesirable elements, but they exist nonetheless. In many cases, they use sophisticated ways to infiltrate websites, devices, and even home networks.

Once in, they will usually target your data and personal information. They can steal it, use it fraudulently, impersonate you, or even hold sensitive information for ransom.

In any case, you can be sure cybercriminals aren’t trying to hack you to access your calendar and figure out the best time to throw you a party.

The cybersecurity industry is growing both in size and sophistication. But data is rarely safe if you, the first line of defense, don’t take the following precautions:

Use Strong Antivirus And Firewall Software

Using an updated antivirus tool is not optional if you’re an internet user, it is mandatory. An antivirus scans your device and network for commonly known types of malware.

It can detect and deal with these viruses after a scan, as well as in real-time when the virus tries to make it into your device.

An updated antivirus tool can find the most recent threats since hackers continue to get smarter and more sophisticated.

But where the antivirus software focuses on finding and removing malware that has entered your system or device, a firewall exists to make sure the malware does not get past it in the first place.

A strong firewall will ensure your network and device are protected from commonly known malware types.

Set Strong And Unique Alphanumeric Passwords

It is astonishing how something as simple as using upper- and lower-case characters as well as symbols can boost your data security. Hackers tend to use a technique called brute force when hacking into accounts.

Brute force involves bombarding the account log-in page with all possible permutations a simple password could have. This takes a lot of time, but if you have a weak password with just lower-case alphabets, you’re making it way too easy.

Create unique passwords for each account, and beef them up by using a mix of alphabets, numerals, and symbols. This makes it much harder for hackers to gain access via brute force since the number of permutations becomes much harder to process.

READ ALSO: How To Generate Strong Passwords With SecureBlitz Password Generator

Healthy Skepticism At All Times

Finally, the best thing you can do for data security is to protect your data by developing a healthy sense of online skepticism.

Be suspicious of links or websites that you don’t know. Don’t open emails or click on attachments that come from senders that you don’t know or who may be impersonating someone you do know.

Never share your date of birth, phone number, or address publicly on social media. Even when sharing this information with someone you know, make sure it’s the same person on the other end.

Above all, invest in and start using a solid VPN service. The encryption tunnels make it much harder for someone to eavesdrop on you or monitor your activity.

How Safe Is Data In Our Technology Driven World?

Data security in our technology-driven world is a complex issue with both advantages and challenges.

Here’s a breakdown of some key points to consider:

The Advantages of Data Collection

  • Convenience and Personalization: Data collection allows companies to personalize your experience, from targeted advertising to recommending products you might be interested in. It can also streamline processes, like auto-filling forms with your saved information.
  • Improved Services: Data analysis can help companies improve their services and develop new features that better meet user needs. For instance, analyzing traffic patterns on navigation apps can help optimize routes.
  • Scientific Advancement and Innovation: Data is the fuel for many scientific advancements and innovations in healthcare, finance, and other sectors. Studying vast datasets can lead to breakthroughs in disease research, targeted treatments, and financial modeling.

The Challenges of Data Security

  • Privacy Concerns: The widespread collection of personal data raises privacy concerns. Users might be apprehensive about how companies use their information and who they share it with. Data breaches can expose sensitive information and lead to identity theft or financial loss.
  • Cybersecurity Threats: As our reliance on data grows, so do cyber threats. Hackers constantly develop new methods to steal or exploit data for malicious purposes. Data breaches can be costly for both companies and individuals.
  • Government Surveillance: Data collection by governments can raise concerns about mass surveillance and potential misuse of information.

How to Stay Safe in a Data-Driven World

  • Be Mindful of What Data You Share: Be cautious about the information you share online, particularly on social media. Avoid sharing overly personal details or sensitive information.
  • Strong Passwords and Multi-Factor Authentication: Use strong, unique passwords for all your online accounts and enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) whenever possible. MFA adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second verification step beyond just your password.
  • Read Privacy Policies: Before using a new app or service, take the time to read their privacy policy. Understand how your data will be collected, used, and stored.
  • Be Wary of Phishing Attempts: Phishing emails and websites try to trick you into revealing sensitive information like passwords or credit card details. Be cautious of emails or messages urging you to click on suspicious links or download attachments. Don’t enter your personal information on unfamiliar websites.
  • Use Security Software: Consider using antivirus and anti-malware software to protect your devices from malware that can steal your data. Keep your software updated with the latest security patches.

The Future of Data Security

Data security is an ongoing battle that requires continuous improvement. As technology evolves, so too must our data security measures. Here are some potential future trends:

  • Stronger Encryption: Advancements in encryption technology can make it even harder for unauthorized users to access data.
  • Biometric Authentication: Biometric authentication (fingerprint, facial recognition) could offer a more secure way to verify user identity.
  • Increased Regulation: Governments might enact stricter regulations on data collection and use to protect user privacy.
  • User Awareness: Educating users about data security practices will be crucial in safeguarding their information.

By understanding the challenges and taking steps to protect your data, you can navigate the data-driven world with more confidence. Remember, data security is a shared responsibility. We all have a role to play in ensuring our information remains secure.

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How To Report Online Scams In The UK: Protecting Yourself and Stopping Fraudsters

John Raymond | ✔️Fact-checked by: Christian Schmitz
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How To Report Online Scams In The UK: Protecting Yourself and Stopping Fraudsters

This post will show you how to report online scams in the UK.

The internet has revolutionized our lives, offering endless opportunities for connection, information, and commerce.

Unfortunately, it has also become a breeding ground for online scams. These scams can target anyone, regardless of age, background, or technical expertise.

This guide equips you with the knowledge to identify online scams in the UK and provides a comprehensive breakdown of where and how to report them.

By understanding these reporting procedures, you can protect yourself from further losses and potentially help prevent others from falling victim to these malicious schemes.

One of the things you should do if you’ve encountered an online scammer is to report them. In this article, you’ll find out how to report online scams in the UK. 

READ ALSO: What Are the Benefits of Outsourcing to an IT Support Company?

Signs To Know If You Have Been Scammed

How To Report Online Scams In the UK

Before diving into reporting mechanisms, let’s explore some common red flags that indicate you might be encountering an online scam:

  • Urgency and Pressure Tactics: Scamsters often create a sense of urgency or pressure to manipulate you into making a rash decision. They might offer “limited-time deals” or threaten negative consequences for not acting immediately.
  • Too-Good-To-Be-True Promises: If an offer seems unbelievably good, it probably is. Promises of high returns with little effort or significant discounts on popular items are classic hallmarks of scams.
  • Unfamiliar Payment Methods: Legitimate businesses typically offer established payment options. Be wary of payment requests through money transfer services, prepaid gift cards, or cryptocurrency.
  • Poor Grammar and Misspellings: Reputable companies generally have well-written communication. Grammatical errors, typos, and awkward phrasing can indicate a scam attempt.
  • Unsolicited Contact: Avoid unsolicited emails, phone calls, or social media messages offering deals, investments, or prizes. Legitimate businesses typically don’t initiate contact this way.
  • Requests for Personal Information: Legitimate businesses rarely request sensitive information like passwords, bank account details, or social security numbers over email or insecure channels.

If you encounter any of these red flags, it’s best to err on the side of caution and avoid further interaction.

Where To Report Online Scams In UK?

report online scams uk

The appropriate reporting channel for online scams in the UK depends on the nature of the scam and the potential losses incurred. Here’s a breakdown of the primary reporting organizations:

1. Action Fraud

  • Focus: This is the national reporting center for fraud and cybercrime in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
  • Suitable for: Use Action Fraud for reporting a wide range of online scams, particularly those involving significant financial loss.
  • Reporting methods:
    • Online: File a report through the Action Fraud website.
    • Phone: Call Action Fraud at 0300 123 2040. (Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM)
  • Information needed:
    • Gather as much detail about the scam as possible, including the scammer’s contact details, the method of contact (email, social media, phone call), the amount of money lost (if any), and the payment method used.
    • The more information you provide, the easier Action Fraud can investigate and take action.

READ ALSO: Exclusive Tips To Stop Cyberbullying [For Teens, Parents & Schools]

2. Citizen Advice UK

  • Focus: Citizen Advice offers support and advice for various consumer issues, including online scams.
  • Suitable for: Citizen Advice is a good starting point if you’re unsure which reporting agency to contact or if the scam involved a smaller financial loss.
  • Reporting methods:
    • Online: Report the scam through the Citizen Advice online form.
    • Phone: Call the Citizen Advice consumer helpline at 03454 04 05 05. (Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM)
  • Information needed: Similar to Action Fraud, gather details about the scam and the scammer. Citizen Advice can then advise on the most appropriate course of action.

3. National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC)

  • Focus: The NCSC focuses on cybersecurity threats.
  • Suitable for: Use the NCSC reporting channel specifically for scams received via email (phishing attempts).
  • Reporting method: Forward the suspicious email to report@phishing.gov.uk.
  • Information needed: While the NCSC might not directly pursue individual scammers reported through email, they analyze the reported emails to identify patterns and create tools to prevent future phishing attacks.

READ ALSO: 5 Common Online Scam Tactics

4. Reporting to Specific Authorities for Specialized Scams

  • Financial Scams: Report financial scams to the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). They regulate the financial services industry and can take action against fraudulent companies.
  • Pension Scams: Report pension scams specifically to the Pension Advisory Service. They offer free guidance and support to people with pension concerns.

5. Royal Mail

  • Focus: If you suspect a scam arrived through the postal service, report it to Royal Mail.
  • Reporting method:
    • Complete the online scam mail report form.
    • Phone: Contact Royal Mail Customer Services at 03457 950 014. (Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM)
  • Information needed: Royal Mail might request the original scam mail envelope for further investigation in addition to scam details.

Taking Additional Steps:

  • Report to Social Media Platforms: If you encounter a scam on social media (e.g., fake profiles or fraudulent advertisements), report it to the social media platform itself. Most platforms have reporting mechanisms for suspicious activity.
  • Banks and Credit Card Companies: If you suspect your bank account or credit card details have been compromised due to a scam, contact your bank or credit card company immediately. They can help deactivate your cards, prevent unauthorized transactions, and recover stolen funds.
  • Change Passwords: If you shared any login credentials (usernames, passwords) with the scammer, immediately change your passwords for all relevant accounts. Use strong, unique passwords for each account, and consider using a password manager to help you keep track.

Protecting Yourself from Online Scams

While reporting scams is crucial, prevention is always better than cure. Here are some tips to safeguard yourself from online scams:

  • Be Wary of Unsolicited Contact: Don’t click on links or attachments in emails or messages from unknown senders. If you’re unsure about an email purporting to be from a legitimate company, contact them directly through a verified phone number or website.
  • Verify Information: If an offer seems too good to be true, it probably is. Do your research before investing or purchasing anything online. Look for reviews, check the company’s legitimacy, and be cautious of unrealistic deals.
  • Strong Passwords and Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Use strong, unique passwords for all your online accounts and enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) whenever possible. MFA adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second verification step beyond just your password.
  • Software Updates: Keep your operating system, applications, and firmware updated with the latest security patches. These updates often address vulnerabilities that hackers might exploit.
  • Beware of Phishing Attacks: Phishing emails and websites trick you into revealing sensitive information like passwords or credit card details. Be cautious of emails or messages urging you to click on suspicious links or download attachments. Don’t enter your personal information on unfamiliar websites.
  • Beware of Social Engineering: Social engineering involves manipulating people into giving away personal information or clicking on malicious links. Be cautious of unsolicited calls, emails, or messages that create a sense of urgency or ask for personal details.

Conclusion

By following these tips and reporting any scams you encounter, you can play a vital role in protecting yourself and others from online fraud. Remember, if you’re ever unsure about the legitimacy of something online, it’s always best to err on the side of caution.

While some scams can be unbearable, it shouldn’t distress you as anyone can be a victim. What you should do is to report to the necessary organizations and services to ensure that the scammers are held accountable.

In some cases, you might not get your money back, but your report can save others. 

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5 Benefits of Having a Home Security System

Gina Lynch | ✔️Fact-checked by: Angela Daniel
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5 Benefits of Having a Home Security System

In this post, we will show you the benefits of having a home security system.

A home security system far outweighs the associated costs, especially in today’s increasing insecurity. In the US alone, over 2 million break-ins are recorded yearly, one of the world’s highest records.

Also, surveys revealed that houses without a surveillance system have three times more chances of a break-in than a home equipped with a surveillance system.

Hence, installing a home security system in your home gives you the following benefits.

5 Benefits of Having a Home Security System

1. Family safety and protection

5 Benefits of Having a Home Security System

Your family comes first on your priority list of protection, and the best way to protect your family is to have a home security system installed.

The presence of family members at home is enough to deter a break-in by burglars. For daredevil burglars, a surveillance system warns your family of an intrusion early enough for them to escape to safety within or outside the home and also notifies the appropriate authorities for swift action.

Aside from warning against intruders, home surveillance also warns of smoke and carbon monoxide leaks while dispatching firefighters and paramedics in the case of an eventual fire outbreak and carbon monoxide poisoning.

Although smoke and carbon monoxide detectors may not be part of the home surveillance system, you can purchase them in addition to your smart home technology.

2. Cut down on home insurance

Homeowners with installed surveillance systems get as high as 20% discount and reduced premium. This figure varies with the type of surveillance system installed and the mode of monitoring provided.

Home insurance covers losses due to fires, break-ins, hurricanes, etc. A home surveillance system reduces the risk of such damages, primarily due to a fire outbreak or a break-in. Hence, the insurance discount for homeowners with installed surveillance systems.

READ ALSO: Modern Security Solutions For Your Modern Security Issues

3. Monitor your home remotely even when on-the-go

Monitor your home remotely even when on-the-go

A surveillance system installed in your home gives you the advantage of monitoring your home from your smartphone, tablet, or laptop while you’re away.

With a surveillance system installed, you can arm or disarm your alarm systems, monitor your home’s internal and external environments, switch on or off electrical appliances, monitor temperature changes,

and do a whole lot more remotely from your device.

Hence, you can monitor your home from your devices and create a semblance of an occupied home even when you’re away.

READ ALSO: Full Reimage Plus Review

4. Get immediate medical attention

Aside from notifying authorities of a break-in, a home surveillance system can notify appropriate emergency medical services when a home occupant urgently needs medical care.

Surveillance companies offer medical alert pendants for requesting medical services. To get urgent medical services, the occupant must press a button on the pendant or tug at the pendant.

This service is requested by individuals with aged parents, a sick family member, or an older adult living alone in danger of slipping in the bathroom or falling off the stairs.

5. Save on energy consumption

Home automation

Home automation is fast becoming part of the services offered by surveillance companies. With home automation, you can control your home lighting, alarm system, heating and cooling system, and appliances while away.

Hence, you can turn your heating or cooling system and lighting on and off before arriving home.

Therefore, controlling your home devices helps you save on energy costs by remotely cutting down on energy consumption while you’re away and deterring intruders by giving a false deception of your presence at home.

READ ALSO: How To Install & Activate Discovery Channel On Firestick

Benefits of Having a Home Security System: FAQs

What are the benefits of home security?

As mentioned above, home security systems offer a range of benefits, including deterring crime, providing 24/7 monitoring, early detection of fire and other threats, remote access and control, and potential insurance discounts.

Is it worth getting a home security system?

The decision depends on your individual needs and risk factors. However, considering the potential cost of a break-in, fire damage, or water leaks, a home security system can be a worthwhile investment, offering protection and peace of mind.

What is the function of a home security system?

The primary function of a home security system is to deter crime, detect intrusions, and alert homeowners and authorities of potential threats. Modern systems offer a range of features beyond essential intrusion detection, including fire and environmental monitoring, remote access, and even smart home integration.

Is a home security system a good investment?

For many homeowners, a home security system can be a wise investment. The cost of the system itself can be offset by potential savings on homeowner’s insurance premiums. More importantly, its protection against break-ins, fires, and other threats can bring significant peace of mind and potentially prevent substantial financial losses.

READ ALSO: 10 Home Security Facts You Never Knew About

What are the pros and cons of a home security system?

Pros

  • Deters crime
  • Provides early warning of intrusions
  • Offers remote monitoring and control
  • Can help reduce homeowner’s insurance costs
  • It gives peace of mind

Cons

  • Upfront installation cost

  • Monitoring fees (for professionally monitored systems)

  • Potential for false alarms

  • It may require lifestyle adjustments (arming/disarming system)

What are the objectives of a security system?

The objectives of a security system are:

  • To safeguard your property from unauthorized access or damage.
  • To provide early detection of potential threats.
  • To alert homeowners and authorities of security breaches.
  • To deter criminal activity through visible presence.
  • To create a safer living environment for your family.

READ ALSO: Security Tips To Protect Your Home From Burglary [Infographics]

Conclusion

Having a home security system installed in your home gives you control over every aspect of your life, as you can keep an eye on the safety and security of your family members and pets even while away.

High-profile individuals in society are more prone to burglar attacks, kidnapping, and other vices from perceived ‘enemies.’ Hence, it is essential to have a surveillance system monitoring and protecting your home and family as an individual.

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How To Keep Track Of Your Income In Smart Ways

Mikkelsen Holm | ✔️Fact-checked by: Angela Daniel
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How To Keep Track Of Your Income In Smart Ways

Tracking one’s income sounds simple, but it’s tricky when you think about how frequently money is used. Applying a system to manage your income can feel like a lot to get used to.

Still, once you get acquainted with a reliable method, you’ll find a tracking approach to be a significant tool for your financial management.

To get started, here’s insight on how to smartly track your income. 

How To Keep Track Of Your Income In Smart Ways

#1 Work With An Advisor

Everyone can benefit from working with a financial mentor or financial advisor. These professionals know the best strategies for managing income and wealth and can give you some methods to improve your financial situation.

Tracking your income is undoubtedly part of this process, so having a conversation with an advisor or financial mentor can give you some direction that you may need to move forward. 

Not all financial advisors are costly; you may even know someone who can serve as an excellent financial mentor in your community. There are also a ton of seminars and apps that can be utilized to gain financial advice from these experts at an affordable cost.

However, if you need help with specific financial products, such as Maryland bank statement loans, reaching out to a financial team is the best course of action.  

#2 Identify Your Goals

Your financial situation aligns itself naturally with specific goals already. You can tell immediately if you’re doing well or falling behind. With your general knowledge about your financial situation, get ahead of it by identifying your goals.

You want to avoid reaching for the stars when you first get situated. As with all plans, you must keep things reasonable because getting from A to Z may take time. 

So, if you are trying to build your wealth but have $3,000 in debt, you want to pay back that money first before you start working on saving for the future. With finances, there is just an order of operations to things. Identifying your financial goals can give you a better idea of your priorities. 

#3 Monitor Your Money

Monitor Your Money

Keep a budgeting system in place so you can always monitor your money. By knowing what you spend in a day, the amount of money that is coming in for a given period (and you can time this as you see fit, i.e., your income per week, every two weeks, per month, etc.), you can make smarter decisions about where your money is going. 

You can only keep track of the numbers if you’re measuring your finances. It is far too easy to lose track of your income when your ability to monitor your finances needs to improve.

Staying consistent with your monitoring will give you the details you need to make better financial decisions in the future. 

#4 Use Automation When You Can

While a manual budgeting system is acceptable, you may wish to see how your finances look when projected over time. However, this can be difficult for the average person to estimate. You can check out The Real World Tate for helpful resources on tracking your finances.

Unless you’re a master mathematician, using an app can give you the tools you need to see graphs, charts, and so on of your income over extended periods. Something you can refer to can make a huge difference, and you don’t need to worry about calculation errors with automated assistance. 

How To Keep Track Of Your Income In Smart Ways: FAQs

Knowing where your money goes is the first step to taking control of your finances. Here are some answers to frequently asked questions about smart income tracking:

How do you keep track of your money?

There are several methods for tracking your income:

  • Pen and Paper: The traditional method. Use a notebook to record your income sources, amounts, and expenses. This can be a good option for those who prefer a hands-on approach.
  • Spreadsheets: Create a spreadsheet on your computer to categorize your income and expenses. Spreadsheets offer more flexibility and allow for calculations and basic data analysis.
  • Budgeting Apps: Numerous budgeting apps are available for smartphones and computers. These apps can automatically import transactions from your bank accounts, categorize your spending, and provide insights into your financial habits. Some popular options include Mint, YNAB (You Need A Budget), and Personal Capital.

READ ALSO: Managing Resources for Business Growth: How to Optimize Your Finances and Personnel

What is the best way to track personal finances?

The best way depends on your personal preferences and lifestyle. Here’s a breakdown to help you decide:

  • Pen and Paper: Good for those who prefer a simple, low-tech approach. It can be time-consuming to maintain and lacks features for data analysis.
  • Spreadsheets: Offer more flexibility and customization than pen and paper. It can be more time-consuming to set up and maintain compared to budgeting apps.
  • Budgeting Apps: Generally the most convenient and user-friendly option. Features like automatic transaction import and expense categorization save time. However, some budgeting apps may require a subscription fee.

What is the best way to manage your income?

Here are some smart ways to manage your income:

  • Track Your Income Regularly: Regardless of the method you choose, record your income consistently. Depending on your income frequency, this could be daily, weekly, or monthly.
  • Set Up a Budget: Once you have a clear picture of your income, create a budget to allocate funds for expenses, savings, and debt repayment. Various budgeting methods like the 50/30/20 rule (50% needs, 30% wants, 20% savings/debt repayment) help you get started.
  • Automate Savings: Consider setting up automatic transfers from your checking account to your savings account. This ensures a consistent and effortless approach to saving money.
  • Review Regularly: Don’t set your budget and forget it. Regularly review your income and expenses to see if adjustments are needed. Your financial goals and circumstances might change over time, so it’s crucial to adapt your budget accordingly.

How do I start tracking money?

Here are some steps to get you started with income tracking:

  1. Choose a Method: Decide whether you prefer pen and paper, spreadsheets, or budgeting apps.
  2. Gather Information: Collect your bank statements, pay stubs, or other documents detailing your income sources and amounts.
  3. Start Recording: Begin recording your income consistently using your chosen method.
  4. Categorize: Classify your income sources (salary, freelance work, etc.) for better organization and analysis.

What is the app that helps you track your money?

Many budgeting apps are available, each with its strengths and features. Here are a few popular options:

  • Mint: A free app that offers automatic transaction import, budgeting tools, and financial goal setting.
  • YNAB (You Need A Budget): A subscription-based app with a unique budgeting method focused on assigning every dollar to a specific category.
  • Personal Capital: A free app that provides a comprehensive view of your finances, including income tracking, budgeting, net worth tracking, and investment management tools.

READ ALSO: 5 Reasons Why You Should Go Cashless Now

How do I manage my bills and money?

Here are some tips for managing your bills and money effectively:

  • Pay Bills on Time: Avoid late fees and potential damage to your credit score by paying bills on time. Consider setting up automatic payments for recurring bills.
  • Prioritize Needs Over Wants: Distinguish between essential expenses (rent, utilities, groceries) and discretionary spending (entertainment, dining out). Ensure your basic needs are covered before allocating funds for wants.
  • Reduce Expenses: Look for areas where you can reduce spending, such as eating out less often or cancelling unused subscriptions.
  • Build an Emergency Fund: Aim to save enough money to cover unexpected expenses, such as car repairs or medical bills. A standard recommendation is to save 3-6 months of living expenses.

By keeping track of your income and implementing innovative management strategies, you can take control of your finances and achieve your financial goals.

The Bottom Line

Track your income this year by tracking your expenses, monitoring your money, utilizing a budget, and working with a financial team.

With these tools, you can learn how to narrow down your financial goals and utilize strategies to achieve them. With a bit of work, you can find an approach to tracking your income that works for you. 

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Hacks That Can Help Outsmart Deepfake Videos

Christian Schmitz
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Hacks That Can Help Outsmart Deepfake Videos

In this post, I will show you hacks that can help outsmart deepfake videos.

The technology of deepfake is slowly becoming mainstream and threatens the cybersecurity landscape. Gone are the days when it was only e for techy-savvy people. These days, it is circulating in various channels and easily tricks people. This technology is now widely accessible, automated, and quickly generated, where algorithms do the trick for you.

You might have caught a video of the US ex-president Barrack Obama giving his speech warning everyone about fake videos to learn that the video is indeed fake. It is compelling and alarming at the same time that a fake video can come out like a real one. That is an example of how deepfakes can easily sway people to believe these videos are real.

What Is A Deep Fake?

What Is A Deep Fake?

The term ‘deep fake’ is aaconjoined ttermfrom deep, winsinuatingfrom ‘deep learning’ and ‘fake’ from the root word itself. MMerriam-WebsterDictionary defines it as an edited video that uses an algorithm to replace the video’s original character with another person.

It is defined as a video that utilizes AI technology to paste a well-known personality or even an average person tintoanother body. Deepfake is now a widely used term that refers to any video or presentation that has undergone enhancement by modern technology like Artificial Intelligence to falsify results.

As more fake videos cmerge these days, it heightened the concern of many cybersecurity experts. People now rely heavily on technology, and these manipulated videos can quickly come across anyone with internet access.

To ensure that you will not fall victim to these kinds of videos circulating online, you need to learn how to spot deepfake videos. Though it is not tasy and needs scrutinizing eyes, it will help you identify one.

READ ALSO: Is OnlyFans Safe?

How To Spot A Deepfake Video

How To Spot A Deepfake Video

Knowing whether a video is real or not is not an easy task. Here are some hacks you can try to help you determine the fundamental nature of a video you might encounter online.

  1. Look For A Normal Gaze

A typical person blinks 15-20 times per minute. It is also a facial movement that an average person does either off or on camera. With deepfake, it is hard to come up with realistic eyes, making it one of the greatest struggles for deepfake creators.

Most deepfake videos have lazy eyes or an odd gaze, which is vnnatural. When a certain does not blink or lacks blinking within an expected timeframe, it could be an excellent sign that the video is fake.

Some creators have evolved these days and since adapted from the gaze that appears creepy and steady. However, leaning on this method can still be an excellent way to determine a deepfake video.

  1. Watch Out For Hair Frizz and Flyaways

Another one of the biggest struggles for deepfake creators is unmanaged hair. In a typical video, when a person is being interviewed, giving a speech, or just filming himself, an individual hair may come astray. That is because of the minute details an average person does that make a unique hair fall to the face or stick out.

In a deepfake video, you cannot find any frizz or flyaway because there is no natural person within the clip. Hairs are usually not visible in deepfake videos, making it a takeaway should you want to determine whether a particular video is edited.

READ ALSO: Most Dangerous Websites You Should Avoid

  1. Play The Video On A Big Screen

When played on a small screen like your smartphone or other mobile devices, fabricated videos are not easily visible. However, when a video is played on full-screen on your laptop or a TV, it will be easier to spot all the editing done on the deepfake video. It will allow you to trace the artifacts do make it like a legit video.

It can even reveal other inconsistent details on the screen. To further investigate, you can use video editing tools to examine faces by slowing down the playback rate.

  1. Look Out For The Teeth

The dental issue is another struggle for creators of deepfake. Teeth are often misshapen and have an excess number in these fake videos. It may also appear that some teeth have a blurry touch, and some seem to be merging weirdly. The absence of the outline for individual teeth may be your best clue. 

How To Spot A Deepfake Video

  1. Inconsistent Audio

Many deepfake video creators focus on how they will form the video, losing sight of how the audio is coming up. When this happens, the result usually gives way to quickly identifying whether if the video is a deep fnot. TAllow-qualitylip-synching and robotic-sounding voices ican be ncluded in the video clip. You can also hear strange word pronunciation that does not match how the characters open their mouths.

  1. Awkward Body Posture

You can easily spot deepfake videos by how awkward the body posture of the person included in the clip is. While an average person tends to create movement in videos, a deepfake video will reveal a stance inconsistent with the positioning of the head and the body.

Since most deepfake videos focus on facial features, looking for awkward body posture can become the easiest way to tell if the video. is Most creators do not spend time synchronizing the head’s movement and the body, usually giving them out.

  1. Lack Of Emotion

Easily spot a fake video by scrutinizing the emotions eexhibitedby the character in the clip. If someone is not displaying or exhibiting the emotions needed oforthe video’s mood, check if the video has been manipulated or iif mage stitches can be found.

  1. Unnatural Images When Slowed Down

Aside from playing it on the big screen, you can slow down the video. While playing on a slowdown rate, you can zoom in and check on the images more closely. You can check the teeth and look for misalignment. Focus on the lips to see if the person is talking or only lip-syncing.

  1. Use Deepfake Detection Tools

You can opt to use deepfake detection tools if you are not yet convinced of any video’s true nature after doing all of these possible hacks. Deepfake videos are now becoming so real that people have a more challenging time spotting any irregularities.

These days, companies like Sensity (formerly Deeptrace) have developed a tool to detect a deepfake video easily. It is an automated detection tool that performs background scans on any media to check iwhether it has tbeen ampered

Other institutions like the Reality Defender 2020 from Athe I Foundation can scan and verify videos where it is fake, manipulated, or original. However, it is only an invite-only submission page that is nunavailableto the general public.

READ ALSO: How To Watch YouTube Videos That Are Blocked In Your Country

Final Thoughts

The battle to detect deepfake videos is now growing. It has become a more challenging feat as creators of these videos are getting better and easily ooverrunany deepfake seeing tools.

To ensure that you get not caught oinany deepfake fiasco, try to do all of these hacks on any malicious video you might encounter. If it does not work out and you are still skeptical about a particular video you have seen on the internet or received online, call or do a video to the other person to know if it is a real deal.

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