Dicar Networks

Ever heard of a "deepfake," Reader? Deepfakes are images, videos, or even audio that are edited using AI tools to mimic someone. It's a new buzz word, fueled by media pranks (where our eyes deceive us! It's not the real person; it's a deepfake' look-a-like). And the numbers are in. A report by ESET (Essential Security against Evolving Threats) looked at the cyber threat landscape over the first half of last year. Their combined data collection and monitoring finds some concerning patterns...

Most of us know by now, that it's not good to use the same password for all of our different accounts. Yet some of us still do. (I won't ask for a show of hands 😉). (BTW, I included a simple graphic in this email, to help make unique passwords easier). Here's the thing: Users who continue to use passwords they know have been exposed in a hack are truly flirting with danger. In a recent study, Google found 1.5% of passwords are still being used despite those users knowing they’ve been...

"Malvertising." You can likely guess that's a term is a mash-up for "malware" and "advertising." And it's been a rising problem for people searching online for popular software—especially for searchers who lean more on the typo-heavy side of the scale. They'll come across a Google Ad that tricks them into clicking— and installing a Trojan (especially Trojan versions of Raccoon Stealer and Vidar). These malware versions are sneakily hidden within Google advertising… This bandit, if clicked,...

Ever hear those business models compared? Both can work well: Either selling a lot of product, to a lot of the market, with slimmer margins (WalMart, Amazon) … or targeting a higher-end part of the market, and demand a much higher, premium fee (the way Tesla and Apple launched their products). So what's the similar trend when it comes to ransomware? Research shows the maximum and median amounts of ransom payments are sharply increasing, with median payments now averaging $1.5 million. That’s...

As if Halloween wasn't scary enough, scammers are still looking to ruin this holiday season. They never take a break. That just means we can't either—we must stay at least one step ahead of their tricks. Since they stick to tried and tested methods, we can equip ourselves — even for new AI-assisted (Artificial Intelligence) tactics. Today, I listed for you some of the top scams that'll likely never melt away. 📦 Phony Shipping Notices 📦 Scammers may reach out via phone, email, or text, falsely...

Hackers are now using a new tactic to steal Google account passwords. This tactic, called credential flushing, relies on getting malware onto a device that locks the system into “kiosk mode.” In this mode, users are prevented from doing anything else without providing their account credentials. Once hackers intercept the information, they can access the victim's Google account and steal personal data. Think of all the receipts, invoices, credit card and bank statements that are tucked in...

Reader, can you guess the segment of the U.S. population that is particularly vulnerable to scams? If you guessed, "the 60+ year old community," then you nailed it. And complaints are even on the rise! The FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) reported an 11% increase in elder fraud complaints last year compared to the year before. It’s now a nearly $3.5 billion criminal scheme to defraud this at-risk group — and it’s only getting worse. Elder Fraud by The Numbers The 2023 IC3 Elder...

Report's in. "Financial transactions are increasingly under attack, according to financial institutions (FIs)" Is this any real surprise? Probably not. But what if you knew that 43% of all fraudulent transactions involved the customers? As in, the transaction couldn't have gone through, had it not been for the victim helping it to go through! It's as if they're "victim-assisted" instances! This falls under the category of "authorized fraud." This fraud not only financially hits financial...

Ever heard of "social engineering?" What a sneaky psychological manipulation technique! Picture this: Someone cleverly exploits your mind to get you to spill sensitive information. It's easy to just not think about it… because, It could never happen to you, right? Now, you might think that the small details in your life aren't worth a second thought, but Those insignificant tidbits can be pure gold for cybercriminals. They feast on your personal AND professional information! Why? Because they...