Tag Archive for: strangers

I’m a hacking expert – never tap or click four common bank-draining words or risk strangers stealing your credit card


GADGET users are being warned over a dangerous type of pop-up message that could leave your bank empty.

Cybercriminals can use pop-ups to hijack your computer or smartphone, experts have warned.

Be careful what you click

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Be careful what you clickCredit: Unsplash

Crooks will often use a type of software called spyware to watch what you’re doing online.

Once they’ve tricked you into downloading spyware, there’s almost no limit to what a hacker can do.

“The impact of spyware on identity theft cannot be understated,” said a cybersecurity expert from McAfee.

“By stealthily recording sensitive personal and financial information, like usernames, passwords, and credit card numbers, it presents a significant risk to a user’s identity.”

A crook could install spyware on your device if they had physical access to it.

But it’s more more likely that you’ll end up being a victim of spyware due to a mistake online.

Criminals often attempt to trick you into installing spyware by making you think you’re downloading something else.

“Preventing spyware from infecting your system starts with practicing good online habits,” the McAfee expert explained in an official security memo.

“Avoid downloading files from untrusted sources, especially torrents and software cracks notorious for being riddled with spyware.”

But you might also find yourself downloading spyware after interacting with a pop-up message.

If you end up on a suspicious website, you might find a notification appearing on the screen.

These may seem harmless, but if you see the following four words, you might be in trouble.

“Never click ‘Agree,’ ‘OK,’ ‘No,’ or ‘Yes’ in a pop-up, as these actions can trigger an automatic spyware download,” McAfee warned.

“Instead, close the pop-up by hitting the red X or shutting down your browser altogether.”

Don’t forget!

Of course avoiding rogue pop-ups isn’t the only way to stave off spyware.

You should also regularly update the operating system on your device – whether that’s iOS, Android, Windows or macOS.

Read more on the Irish Sun

“These patches often contain fixes to known vulnerabilities that spyware and other malicious programs exploit,” the McAfee cyber-expert explained.

“Also, ensure to download and use your web…

Source…

Unknown, uninvited strangers joining online classrooms


He said “robust and comprehensive steps” should be taken to protect children’s personal information.

Susan McLean, a leading cyber-safety expert with decades of experience, said teachers and students needed to be better trained in the respectful and responsible use of technology, including security settings as well as clear expectations for conduct.

“We don’t give someone the keys to the car and go, ‘here, hop in, off you go’, and hope for the best,” Ms McLean said. “Sadly, that is what I’m seeing in a lot of schools”.

When things went wrong, such as strangers joining online classrooms, she said, the department and schools should “respond promptly, proactively and honestly”, including alerting their community that a breach had occurred.

Ms McLean also flagged concerns around teachers taking screenshots of online classrooms with “50 little faces up on the screen” and sharing these images on social media.

Samantha Floreani, the program lead at Digital Rights Watch, said strangers accessing virtual learning environments was not the only threat to the privacy, security and safety of children and young people.

“Requiring students to sign up to third-party applications and provide their personal information, all which have varying collection, use and disclosure practices, can create security and privacy risks if those services do not meet adequate standards,” she said.

Ms Floreani echoed calls for teachers to be supported and trained in effectively using settings to “increase the security of online learning environments”.

Vanessa Teague, an expert in cyber security and privacy, said risks should be addressed with better password protection, using services with end-to-end encryption, and by making privacy education part of the curriculum.

“Children should be taught that the internet is a public place, and that they should never share any sensitive information online,” she said.

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However, children were often pressured in the opposite direction, Dr Teague said, “by normalising surveillance and making them feel that they’re not participating in their class if they’re not showing a video of their bedroom”.

“It’s up to all of us adults to…

Source…

Internet security: parents oblivious as 2m children targeted by strangers … – Telegraph.co.uk


Telegraph.co.uk

Internet security: parents oblivious as 2m children targeted by strangers
Telegraph.co.uk
Internet security: parents oblivious as 2m children targeted by strangers online, study suggests. Almost two million children aged between eight and 16 have been contacted by strangers on the internet in the last year often without ever telling their
Today's the day for Internet securityChannel News Asia
A Quarter of Parents Fear Their Children Have Been Exposed to Cyber Threats PR Newswire UK (press release)
Safer Internet Day: Many parents unaware of online dangers faced by childrenITProPortal
Firstpost –iTWire
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