I was going to start this out by mentioning how swamped I’ve been this week, but then I found a note that the FAA has banned drones over 21 New Jersey towns. I’m honestly tired of seeing drone news every morning… just go shoot one down and see what it is. Honestly- does anybody but the government think that all these drones aren’t from a government (either ours, China’s, Iran’s, or somebody else)? And do they really think we stupid enough to believe it when they tell us that some of them are just stars in the sky? Wow. So, when this ban doesn’t stop the drones from appearing every night, what will they do next?
Something about ...
Just Hanging Up
The most important takeaway from this article about bitcoin theft is to “hang up, look up, and call back.” One user provided credentials to what he thought was a Google employee helping him out; he lost $450K. Another did the same, and lost over $4M.
Any time somebody calls you, whether from your bank, the IRS, Google, or anywhere else, and tells you that somebody has accessed your account or that you owe them money, just hang up. Then, take a moment to look up the proper phone number (whether on the back of your credit card or on their website that you found on your own, not through a link) and call them back. It could save you millions.
Email Attacks
Travis sent me this article covering the top five most common forms of email attacks, which also offers suggestions for protecting yourself. Nothing overly new herein, but always a good reminder that 80% of hacks come through email, and no matter how many security measures you have in place on your network, you still have the human factor.
TP Link Routers
I’ve had Travis with me on more than a handful of onsite prospect visits, and he always rolls his eyes when he sees a TP Link router in use. Generally speaking, they’re consumer grade, and they’re not even all that good at that level. Yet the DoD and other government entities continue to use them… New analysis from WSJ shows that Chinese hackers have a large network of TP Link routers that they use to launch cyberattacks… and now our government is considering banning them. Not sure why they’re waiting.
Historically Important Movies
The Library of Congress recently added to their list of “culturally, historically, and aesthetically” important films (The National Film Registry) such movies as The Miracle Worker, The Pride of The Yankees, and Spy Kids (I knew that one like the back of my hand when my son was eight, but is it truly culturally significant?). They join other classic films including Gone With the Wind, Psycho, Ferris Bueller, and Desperately Seeking Susan (???).
Salt Typhoon
The Chinese government hacking group Salt Typhoon is still going after US cell phone carriers, and it seems they’ve been able to access data of numerous companies. CISA and the FBI have produced a list of best practices to protect your mobile communications.
Guinness Shortage
Many news outlets are reporting on a UK shortage of Guinness stout, while some questions whether it’s just a genius marketing ploy by the beer’s owners. According to the article from The Sun, pubs are running dry and having trouble getting re-supplied. But per The Telegraph (the best article I’ve found, but behind a freewall if you want to submit your email address), most pubs are seeing no issues, and one even continues to sell 4,000-6,000 pints A DAY!!!
Cocktails and Funerals
A Columbus, OH funeral home has applied for a liquor license, so that they can provide cocktails at services. They’d be the first funeral home in the state to offer liquor, but I’ve been to plenty of memorial services that had a bar at the reception. Based on the Guinness shortage, we’ll hope they’re not hosting any Irish wakes.
Nancy's Nuggets
Nancy sent me this one about Walmart testing the use of body cameras by its retail associates. While one might think it’s a way to stop shoplifters and other troublemakers, Walmart claims they’re to record interactions between workers and shoppers. And I actually laughed out loud at the National Retail Federation VP who said cameras will be great “because people act differently when they know they’re being recorded.” Has this guy ever seen a video on social media or the news of some buffoon in an airport, airplane, restaurant, or arena who knows full well that 27 people are recording and yet does nothing to change their behavior?
That’s all for this week (and for next). I’ll wrap it up with a reminder to smile not only for the Walmart greeter but whenever you see the Google Streetview cars, too. Never know what they might figure out about you. I hope that you enjoy whatever you’re celebrating next week, and that the Buckeyes decide to show up for tomorrow night’s game. They’ve been on vacation since they beat Indiana, so they should be ready to go.
Merry Christmas,
Abbey