Universities are putting private financial data at risk
A recent study found that over 50% of colleges and universities investigated allow for the transmission of sensitive information over unencrypted (and therefore unprotected) email as an option without directly promoting it and 25% of the institutions investigated advised applicants to send personal information, including W2’s, via unencrypted email to admissions and financial aid offices.
Most people unable to detect phishing attacks
Most people are overconfident in their ability to spot phishing attacks, a new study has found. Asked in a survey to distinguish malicious emails from legitimate ones, nearly everyone in a group of 53 undergraduates at North Carolina State University failed. “Everyone’s susceptible,” said psychology professor Christopher Mayhorn, one of the study’s authors. “But there’s relationships that make some people more susceptible.”
NSA program reportedly allows analysts to track emails, chats, web searches
The National Security Agency is operating a massive database system that allows analysts to scour individuals’ emails, chats and Internet browsing histories at will, according to a new report from The Guardian based on leaked documents.
Financial services sector hit hard in last quarter by email phishing attacks
A report has just come out ranking sectors ranging from airlines to social in terms of email phishing attacks. The study found that cyber criminals target financial services’ customers the most; airlines are lagging at setting up email defenses; and social companies like Twitter are kicking butt in protecting their users.
Phishing scam targets Verizon Wireless customers
It is not unusual to see an unfamiliar 1-800 number appear on your caller ID. Often, these numbers are coming from telemarketers, but they also can come from legitimate sources. One in particular is Verizon Wireless, whose representatives often call from such numbers to contact customers about billing information. But before you start giving out your personal information, beware of a new phishing scam that is targeting Verizon customers.
