2021 was far and away the busiest year we've had since our founding in 2013. And December was the busiest month of all.
We learned a ton working in the field and directly with individuals and their personal technology, helping them solve the myriad of privacy, security, and functional challenges they face.
Here, I'll share key "from the field" takeaways from last year and some suggested tactical adjustments for the year ahead.
Takeaways from 2021
Some in cybersecurity call 2021 "annus horribilis" with the exponential growth in attacks and new vulnerabilities. When I think of certain politicians, bureaucrats, corporate leaders, frontline workers, law enforcement officials, parents, and countless others, indeed, cybersecurity professionals are not alone in this view of last year.
✓For TDS, volume was way up, and the data is clear; specific drivers and patterns predominate the activity.
Here are our key takeaways from 2021 for privacy and digital security:
Your inbox still is and will likely remain target #1 for hackers. Spam filters are struggling to deal with increasing volume and sophistication, and managing safelists and blocklists of senders is a must for a reliable inbox. And, always always use MFA for email accounts.
Phishing is evolving and now can include SMS text messages and voice phone calls to add believability to the exploits. It's wise to not underestimate how effective next-gen phishing and "smishing" hacks can be. For some insight, see the article by security guru Krebs in the news tiles below. It is fascinating and will open your eyes, but phishing is still rudimentary with what's to come.
Home and office internet routers became a hot target for hackers in 2021, with most of our new customers for the year finding us after suffering a home or home office network breach.
Stalking and harassment cases in 2021 were multiples higher than years before. The most common perpetrators are miffed exes, crazy neighbors, and disgruntled former employees and co-workers. It's hard to fathom the extremes some will go to driven by rage and jealousy - it's a sickness and terrifying for the victims.
The cybersecurity industry is vibrant and continues to innovate capable defenses that significantly reduce the risk of harm and loss. Progress in AI, machine learning, and collaborative intelligence will continue to drive efficacy in 2022.
✓To review last year's monthly newsletters and the specific advice for TDS clients, click here.
Smart tactics for 2022
As we've long said, surviving and succeeding in a world of fast-paced change requires tenacity, resiliency, and adaptability. With that, here's a list of recommended tweaks and tactics for greater privacy and digital security in 2022.
Start using an authenticator app versus an SMS code for multi-factor authentication.
Don't use a browser to store your passwords.
Set up a Legacy Contact on your iPhone with the new feature in iOS 15.2
Start using a digital vault for tax returns, wills and trusts, medical records, and other material you don't want on the cloud. Add beneficiary rights to make it easy for your heirs.
Take inventory of your 'smart' devices and proactively opt-out of data collection.
Joining Big Tech, ISP providers and mobile providers are fast becoming the new offenders of your privacy and digital security. Take proactive measures to opt-out of their data collection practices.
Privatize your home router to "protect at the node" with a private and secure router and VPN. Contact us for more, here.
✓Go to the news tiles below to find more detail and specifics on each of the tactics listed above.
✓ If it all feels like a lot, you're not alone. Consider our Computer Coaching service to help you along.
Cartoon of the Year
I liked this cartoon so much I bought the rights to share it with you.
✓ The cartoon also received the most positive feedback of all our online posts in 2021.
Thanks for reading, Happy New Year, and our best wishes for 2022.
Keep Amazon, Google & Apple out of your conversations: A guide to protecting your privacy
Find out what Amazon, Google, and Apple employees may be able to hear, and how to opt out.
"Ever wonder if your smart home devices are listening to you?
Put a stop to strangers listening to your voice commands and completely wipe all interactions you've made with your device. Here's how."
CNET
Internet Service Providers Are Collecting — And Sharing — Vast Amounts Of Information About Customers, FTC Report Finds
"The FTC said it found some internet service providers engaged in “several troubling” data collection practices to target advertisements, categorize consumers by race and sexual orientation, and share real-time location with third-parties."
Forbes
Mobile carriers are selling your personal data.
Here's how to stop them.
" ... all three of the largest US carriers offer opt-out options…
CNET did the legwork, digging into the privacy policies of AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon to see what each had to say and how to opt-out."
CNET
Verizon Is Tracking iPhone Users by Default
"Are you a Verizon user? You may want to check your privacy settings. The company is tracking its users by default, and many may not realize it."
Inc.com
How Cellphone Data Collected for Advertising Landed at U.S. Government Agencies
"Byron Tau sheds light on the shady data broker industry and its harms, including consumer data winding up in the hands of government entities.
"Because the U.S. has no comprehensive privacy law, nothing explicitly bars the use of consumer data in this manner."
Wall Street Journal
Why the cable company is selling TVs
"Walmart is starting to sell television sets with the software guts of Comcast.
It all comes down to having power over what Americans watch and how."
Philly Voice
SMS Bank Fraud Using Voice Phishing
"Someone called immediately, and the caller ID said ‘JP Morgan Chase’,”
“The person on the phone said they were from the fraud department and they needed to help her secure her account but needed information from her to make sure they were talking to the account owner and not the scammer.”
Krebs
How to know if you're being stalked or are just paranoid
"Lately, I’ve been getting a steady stream of, "Is it me or is someone, something tracking everything I do in my device? Here are some examples."
Fox News
Computer Coaching Services by TDS
Clean your computer or set up a new one.
Learn to use a password manager and backup your files.
Set up your browser and make things flow more easily.
Use a digital vault for sensitive documents.
✓ The coaching approach is about learning life-long skills for increased satisfaction, privacy, and security with personal technology.
Total Digital Security
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