Tag Archive for: digital

A Timely Reminder in the Digital Age

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In an era where our digital footprints are as significant as our physical ones, Sauce Gardner’s latest public statement serves as a crucial wake-up call. Urging the global online community to prioritize safety, Gardner has highlighted the growing concerns surrounding internet security. From the risk of identity theft to the dangers of phishing scams, his message is clear: vigilance and protective measures are not optional in safeguarding our personal information and privacy online.

The Urgent Call for Digital Vigilance

At the heart of Gardner’s cautionary tale is the stark reality of the cyber threats we face every day. The digital age, while bringing unparalleled convenience and connectivity, also opens the door to a myriad of risks. Identity theft, phishing scams, and other cyber threats loom large, waiting for a moment’s lapse in our online defenses. Gardner’s statement isn’t just a reminder; it’s a clarion call to action. It’s a plea for individuals to stay informed about the best practices for online safety and to approach digital platforms with a healthy dose of caution.

Best Practices for Safeguarding Your Digital Life

How do we respond to Gardner’s call to arms? By arming ourselves with knowledge and tools that fortify our digital lives. Websites like Total Defense and Nordea offer invaluable advice. From the importance of not oversharing on social media to the wisdom of managing privacy settings and changing passwords frequently, these resources provide the blueprint for a safer online existence. Treating personal information as a precious treasure and being mindful of what we post online are not just tips but essential practices in today’s digital world.

Creating a Safer Digital Community Together

Gardner’s message transcends individual action, touching on the collective responsibility we share in creating a safer digital environment. It’s about discussing online safety with friends and family, encouraging a culture of security and privacy. By adopting and promoting safer online habits, we not only protect ourselves but also contribute to a broader culture of internet safety. It’s a reminder that in the vast…

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Fortifying Our Digital Realm – OpEd – Eurasia Review

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Much like the physical world, there is a virtual/digital world which is also characterized by anarchy. Challenges and threats emanating from the cyber world are as serious and consequential as those of the “real” world of traditional security.

Today, the realm of world security is not only about “bullet vs. bullet,” it is also about “click vs. bullet.” The internet has changed the way we share information, interact, and develop on a global scale. It has had a significant impact, bringing about previously unheard-of breakthroughs in connectedness, equality, and human prosperity. But in addition to these astounding developments, the digital world often portrays more somber truths. It has developed into a haven for disinformation, cyber threats, data theft, and digital authoritarianism that jeopardizes peace and stability. 

In this age of lightning-fast technical development, everyone involved in the problem-solving process needs to share some of the blame. The digital ecosystem, which once offered almost endless possibilities, now necessitates group action to reduce the risks that come with it. It is critical to recognize the interdependence of people and technology and the significant influence they have on one another as we negotiate this challenging landscape. The need to counterbalance accountability in the digital domain is central to this subject matter. This means that the dynamics of the digital ecosystem will fundamentally change such that defenders will now have the upper hand against harmful actors. To strengthen cybersecurity defenses, improve resilience, and prevent sensitive data from being misused, coordinated actions are needed.

The ongoing and intense hegemonic battle between the United States and China can be explained by the conflict over big data hegemony. Thus, gaining a competitive edge in AI technology may come from acquiring more data through connections with more governments. To dominate AI technology, the United States and China plan to create their own exclusive network platform, or value bloc. As such, friendly nations like the United States and China may be compelled to adopt a binary framework. Being on either side of the ROK, a state…

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Ransomware Spikes 130% in January – Digital Transactions

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Already, 2024 is starting off with an unrelenting wave of ransomware attacks. The number of attacks last month, as registered by cybersecurity firm BlackFog, increased 130% from January 2023.

Cheyenne, Wyo.-based BlackFog says the 76 attacks noted this January are the second-highest it has ever recorded. The highest number came only in November, when nearly 90 attacks happened. The insidious nature of ransomware can mean companies pay to get their data decrypted by the criminals who scrambled it, and often have expensive followup actions to complete.

BlackFog’s data shows that the education sector, at 14, saw the most attacks followed by healthcare at eight and manufacturing at seven. Finance endured five attacks in January. The data also show that, in the past few months, ransomware attackers made a decided shift to small and mid-size organizations.

Most attacks still seek to extract data, with 91% of all ransomware having that goal, it says. The average ransom payout is $568,705, down 33% from the third quarter of 2023.

“We are now seeing extortion continue for years after the initial attack, even if the victim paid the initial ransom,” Darren Williams, BlackFog chief executive and founder, says in a statement. “There are so many ways to leverage data once it has been exfiltrated. Lastly, we see that China and Russia continue to dominate as the leading destinations for exfiltrated data, with 18% and 8% respectively.”

Organizations in the United States account for 57% of ransomware attacks, followed by the United Kingdom at 8%, and Singapore at 4%.

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Eset unifies home digital protection – Gadget

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Eset, a global leader in cybersecurity, has streamlined its digital protection for South African consumers. The company is unifying its consumer product portfolio in three new customer-centric subscription tiers, each designed to offer comprehensive digital life protection. Notable features include a virtual private network (VPN), and a browser privacy and security extension.

Given the increasing reliance on online platforms, safeguarding identities and information is critical. South Africans frequently use online platforms for financial transactions, purchases, and business setups, making them vulnerable to identity theft. Notably, impersonation fraud in SA has surged by 356% from 2022 to 2023.

As cyber threats evolve, there is a growing demand for reliable digital life protection. Eset recognises both the challenges of cybersecurity and the evolving needs of consumers.

“Eset is a global digital security company whose award-winning technology secures over one-billion internet users and hundreds of thousands of businesses,” says  Eset Southern Africa CEO Carey van Vlaanderen. “We’re well aware of consumers’ need for user-friendly security solutions for their digital lives. A simple antivirus is simply not enough anymore.”

Eset home, the new subscription-based offering, provides a comprehensive security management platform with integrated device protection, subscription management, and user-friendly interfaces.

Eset provided the following information on its three subscription tiers and their features:

  1. Eset Home Security Essential:
  • Modern endpoint security with pre, during, and post-execution software scans.
  • Enhanced real-time protection and multilayered defence against threats.
  • Key features include Safe Banking & Browsing, Network Inspector for router security, and new browser extensions for Chrome, Edge, and Firefox.
  1. Eset Home Security Premium:
  • Includes all Essential features.
  • Additional functionalities like Password Manager with form completion for time-saving web form entries.
  • Secure Data feature encrypts files and removable media, preventing data theft in case of…

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