In August, we said the time is nigh to say "Goodbye Google" and cleaving more of Big Tech from our lives. Then last month, we recommended saying "Hello Brave" and setting the browser as your default for privacy and control of your personal information.
Such moves fall into the category of "seeking digital autonomy," and I've spoken and written about it since 2015. The response is either a scrunch of the nose or a roll of the eyes in many cases. At least back in the days of live conferences and workshops, that is.
But over the years, some "got it," and more are beginning to understand that our privacy and personal information are relentlessly under attack by Big Tech and Big Government. These stakes are high, and without self-initiative, it is sure not to end well.
The notion that digital autonomy is an intelligent and timely strategy is gaining momentum. On September 6th, Blake Masters from the Wall Street Journal wrote in "Reclaiming Our Independence From Big Tech:"
"Google can swing an election. Facebook knows more about you than your spouse does. Amazon’s Alexa can record your living room conversations. Yet for all the talk about the Big Tech threat, these companies keep getting bigger, more powerful and more abusive."
"These companies take this data (our personal information) and sell precisely targeted ads so effective they verge on predatory. They then optimize their platforms to keep you online to receive ever more ads. It is time to reclaim our independence."
✓ Seeking digital autonomy is smart, timely, and crucial to finding privacy and security in the Digital Age.
New "Computer Coaching" services from the comfort of your home
In the Digital Age, computer skills are life skills, and it's essential to be comfortable and in control of your personal technology. And if you're not, then you should have a reliable, competent, and trustworthy resource you can turn to for help.
Some want more than an "IT guy" to fix a problem and go away, and they seek answers to questions and needs that will be instructive to their broader understanding and use of personal computers and phones.
To that end, meet Eric J., our new computer coach for TDS clients.
Eric is a "computer coach" versus an "IT guy" because he has an uncanny way of turning problems and frustrations into learning experiences. The outcome for the client is greater confidence, increased security, and the satisfaction one gets from being competent and in control.
Eric has 21 years of professional IT experience and is a software engineer. He knows the ins and outs of Windows PCs and Apple Macs as well as anyone we know. Eric can remote in from the comfort of your home and can help in a lot of ways, including:
Whatever the problem or question is, and however you see your goals, Eric works with you as your personal coach and instructor. The advances you can make in "critical thinking skills" might surprise you with this approach.
Eric's rate is $135/hr.
✓ One way to start with a coach is to set up a password manager on your devices and browsers. In an hour you'll be well on your way toward a lifetime of greater security and convenience.
If you're interested in knowing more about computer coaching from TDS, contact us here:
Update for iPhone and Android security
Cyber risk statistics for 2021 show Apple Macs and iPhones are increasingly the targets of cybercrime. In the first three months of the year, Apple Macs had more new viruses than Windows PCs, and that's a first-ever. Then in June, again for the first time, we began recommending iPhone and iPad protection. Shortly after that, we saw the first "zero-day, zero-click" exploit found on iPhones.
These new zero-click exploits are particularly scary because they don't require the victim to take any action, like click on a link or open a file. The victim receives a text message, and they are a victim of the hacker's exploit.
Finally, by the end of July, the NSA had issued a public safety warning to secure wireless devices, another first.
✓ There is no better iOS protection + VPN available anywhere, and we encourage all clients to upgrade to Mobile Protectionhere.
About your home network security, again
Mainstream media doesn't report much on individual cybersecurity issues. On September 21st, Jim Cramer broke the mold on his "Mad Money" show when interviewing the CEO of Palo Alto Networks on home cybersecurity.
"75% of consumers don't even know their home router password, let alone check and manage their home network security."
Nikesh Arora, chairman and CEO of Palo Alto Networks
We expect to see home internet routers increasingly targeted by hackers because they are so vulnerable and uniquely rich in the potential for a successful attack. You can bank on the trend continuing from here.
✓ If you don't want to worry about cyber risk at home or in your office, Managed Network Security protects and anonymizes your entire network, including all internet-connected devices and appliances.
Why TDS updates your software for you
Software updates are numerous and tedious but critical to computer security. Cyber guru Krebs said this on September 14th:
"Microsoft today pushed software updates to plug dozens of security holes in Windows and related products, including a vulnerability that is already being exploited in active attacks.
Also, Apple has issued an emergency update to fix a flaw that’s reportedly been abused to install spyware on iOS products.
Google‘s got a new version of Chrome that tackles two zero-day flaws.
Finally, Adobe has released critical security updates for Acrobat, Reader and a slew of other software."
As daunting as the above sounds, this is a typical month for everyone using computers and smartphones, and it just keeps getting worse.
It is for these reasons that our F-Secure computer security service does these updates for you. F-Secure's software patch management system is always on the job, prioritizing and updating system and security software. All the heavy lifting is done for you in the background seamlessly and silently while protecting you 24/7. It's a great feature, and we're proud to provide it.
✓ Managed software updates is a valuable feature and not provided by any other antivirus or device protection software I know.
[EYE OPENER] The Number Of Daily Ransomware Attacks Skyrockets Nearly 1,100% in 2021.
"The weekly average number of ransomware attacks detected in June of 2021 was more than 149,000. A year prior, it was only 14,000 – making an increase of 966%"
Fortinet Labs report on an over tenfold increase in ransomware - Sep. 29th.
The summer of internet outages
The summer's heat and storms hit the global internet hard in 2021. Frequent outages were widespread and, in some cases, took down parts of the internet backbone. TDS has clients in over 40 states of the U.S., and almost all of them experienced at least one major outage over the last six months.
Many clients use our Managed Network Security system, so we have a view into the performance of their ISP (Internet Service Provider.) Sometimes we can provide intelligence relating to their ISP and equip them to push back and hold the ISP accountable for the performance. Sometimes it helps, other times, the problem is too big to make a difference, but I think clients like knowing what is what, and how to evaluate their ISP.
✓ If you are having regular issues with your ISP, let us know, and we might be able to help.
The Mafia is getting into cybercrime
Cybercrime is the most perfect crime. There are no walls or borders to overcome, no guns or violence required, no physical forensics are left behind, the loot is anonymous and portable in digital currency, and the odds of getting caught and facing the consequences are slim.
Why would any professional criminal do anything else?
It seems the Mafia has it figured out and is retooling their profession for the Digital Age, according to Interpol.
"The Italian National Police noted that the hackers are linked to the Mafia and had expertise in the latest generation phishing attacks and the use of social engineering techniques ..."
The Hacker News - September 20th
✓Organized crime will continue to retool for the internet and drive the sophistication and efficacy of cybercrime exploits.
Group Webinars
In the absence of live conferences and workshops the last year and a half, we've held "Cybersecurity for Life" webinars for various audiences.
Some examples are:
Wealth manager teams and clients.
Professional groups and organizations.
Church and other community groups.
The approach of the webinar is to inform and educate with real-world experience and best practices. We show where the risk is, how to think about it, and how to avoid it.
✓ For group webinars on cybersecurity, contact me by replying to this email.
"Your computer coach sees every problem and question as a teaching opportunity. Problems aren't just fixed, and questions aren't just answered. Instead, you will be coached in plain English by an expert that instructs you to help yourself."
Sep. 2021 - Total Digital Security
How to Hide Your House From Nosy People on Google Maps
"Ask Google Street View (and its competitors) to blur your house from their photos."
Sep. 2nd - LifeHacker
Reclaiming Our Independence From Big Tech
"Never before have a few huge corporations controlled almost the entire flow of information in our society. America’s future will be determined by how Congress chooses to regulate Big Tech in the coming decade. We must resist the domination of a corporate technocracy and chart a new course."
September 6th - The Wall Street Journal
How Hackers Use Our Brains Against Us
"We read about these typical spearphishing attempts, and more often than not we think: Who falls for these? And how could they? The answer to the first question is simple: You do. "
September 7th - The Wall Street Journal
IRS issues warning about its lack of funding for IT systems
"The IRS warns its IT systems are severely underfunded and must take extraordinary measures to keep it running. The agency spent $2 billion of appropriated funds on operations support IT this year. But the IRS needed to borrow $600 million from its enforcement division and user fees to support additional IT costs."
September 9th - Federal News Network
New Mac malware
"A new strain of Mac malware that spreads via "poisoned" search-engine results has been discovered in China and could spread to other countries."
Sep. 17th - Tom's Guide
You need to protect yourself from zero-click attacks
"Zero-click software that does not even require people to click on a link in order to get the infection."
Sep. 18th - Popular Science
Europol Busts Major Crime Ring, Arrests Over 100 Online Fraudsters
"Law enforcement agencies in Italy and Spain have dismantled an organized crime group linked to the Italian Mafia that was involved in online fraud, money laundering, drug trafficking, and property crime, netting the gang about $11.7 million in illegal proceeds in just a year."
Sep. 20th - The Hacker News
Mozilla Says Chrome’s Latest Feature Enables Surveillance
"The (new version of Chrome) comes with its fair share of opponents, including rival browser-maker Mozilla. The folks behind Firefox say that it creates an “opportunity for surveillance capitalism.”"
Sep. 21st - How-to-Geek
Brave Talk - an alternative to Zoom
"Unlike Zoom and other providers, which Brave accuses of monitoring calls, metadata, and images shared in calls, Talk will enable users to enable "multiple layers of encryption," ensuring calls aren't eavesdropped by anyone."
Sep. 22nd - AndroidPolice
The NSA and CIA Use Ad Blockers
Because Online Advertising Is So Dangerous "The Intelligence Community has deployed ad-blocking technology, according to a letter sent by Congress and shared with Motherboard."
Sep. 23rd - Motherboard
Disclosure of three 0-day iOS vulnerabilities
"Yesterday, a security researcher dropped public notice of three zero-day vulnerabilities in Apple's iOS mobile operating system."
Sep. 24th - Ars Technica
This Android Trojan Stole Millions of Dollars from Over 10 Million Users
"The money-making scheme is believed to have been under active development starting from November 2020, with victims reported across Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Spain, the U.K., and the U.S."
Sep. 29th - The Hacker News
For previous CyberAdvisor Letters:
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