Cryptocurrency Scam Raises Business Breach Risks After It Hits Thousands of Victims Worldwide

Cryptocurrency has been revolutionary in creating a new world economy, and it’s the primary vehicle for transactions on the Dark Web. After lots of splashy coverage in mainstream news organizations around the world, the fascination for it has spread from Dark Web markets to average internet users – making them the perfect targets for cybercriminals. 

In a recent scam, cybercriminals were able to pull off a multi-stage operation that exposed the personal data of thousands of users worldwide including 147,610 victims in the UK, 82,263 Australians, 4,149 South Africans, 4,147 people in the US, 3,499 folks in Singapore, 2,491 Malaysians and 2,420 people in Spain, and other countries. 

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The data was obtained through an interesting style of phishing scam. Users were lured in by an SMS message “starring” a locally famous celebrity (in this case a local journalist) who had “built a fortune” through cryptocurrency trading. Victims who clicked the link were then directed to a unique landing page that had an article quoting a local news personality that dovetailed believably to their region. Each unique SMS link also contained some personal information for the target.  

When the target clicked anything on the fake article landing page, they were then directed to a bitcoin investment platform, where the personal information that had been carried through the process in their unique link was then automatically filled in – and they were asked for their balances in other bitcoin accounts, which were now accessible to the thieves.  

As scams that are hatched through SMS and messaging applications become more common, they can also become an unexpected threat to businesses. Staffers frequently handle personal correspondence on their work devices, especially as more companies employ a “Bring Your Own Device” policy. Interacting with scam messages like these can give cybercriminals an opening to strike. Staffers need to understand that phishing isn’t just an email problem – it’s a problem everywhere.  

Updated phishing training with a dynamic solution like BullPhish ID gets everyone up to speed on potential types of phishing, with easy to understand lessons about common attacks served in bite-sized pieces and delivered through engaging videos to keep lessons memorable, plus online quizzes to test retention. BullPhish ID offers plug-and-play training content in 8 languages, bolstering a business’s cybersecurity by strengthening its best defense against phishing – their employees. 

Watch this 10-minute technical demonstration video of BullPhish ID in action.

Bit by bit helps client networks run smooth and secure.. visit our website at www.bitxbit.com/texas 877.860.5863

Strong Cybersecurity Pays for Itself – Data Breach Costs Exceeded $1.2 Trillion for US Companies in 2019

     

Data breaches have enormous consequences for companies, including recovery and repair expenses, reputational damage, potential regulatory penalties – all of which spell financial loss. This week, a new report illustrates just how significant the financial consequences of a data breach can be. In 2019, some major data breaches spelled disaster for heavyweight firms. With more than five-billion records compromised in 2019, breaches are estimated to have collectively cost companies $1.2 trillion, nearly double the sum from 2018. 

Healthcare was the most targeted sector in 2019, with 382 total breaches, a startling 100% year-over-year increase. It’s shaping up to be number one in 2020 as well. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic has incited cybercriminals to increase their attacks on the healthcare sector, which will certainly increase risks in the year ahead. In addition to healthcare, banking, insurance, education, government, and retail were among the top targets of cybercriminals.  

Taken together, personally identifiable information was the most sought after commodity. In response, it’s clear that companies need to take action to secure their systems and data now, especially as remote work compounds the risk of a cybersecurity incident. While today’s threat landscape is expansive and pervasive, every organization can improve its defensive posture by addressing the most prominent risks, including unauthorized access, phishing scams, and malware. 

https://www.techrepublic.com/article/data-breaches-cost-us-companies-more-than-1-2-trillion-last-year/ 

Bit by bit helps client networks run smooth and secure.. visit our website at www.bitxbit.com/texas 877.860.5863

460 Million Records Reported Stolen in May

A tally of May cybersecurity instances found that 460 million records were compromised last month, marking another staggering total in an already-historic year for cybersecurity. However, the sum only represents the beginning of the problem, as many data breaches are going unreported as companies fear regulatory repercussions and customer blowback. In addition, many data breaches also expose reams of sensitive personal data, making it difficult to quantify the full scope of the problem. 

Find out how records sold on the Dark Web can endanger your data in unexpected ways. 

For businesses, this information has two prominent implications. First, there is a growing need to identify compromised data on the Dark Web. As more records are stolen and distributed in the dark corners of the internet, companies need eyes and ears to know if their information is among the mountain of stolen data. 

What’s more, the sheer number of compromised records makes it more important than ever for organizations to put additional barriers between their IT infrastructure and bad actors. If your staffer is reusing a password from a compromised retail account or using their pet’s name to log in, that can put you at risk for a breach by making it easy for cybercriminals to find a way into your systems.

Dark Web ID can help keep accounts secure by alerting you when your staff’s compromised information hits the Dark Web. This cost-effective solution gives you peace of mind and gives you an opportunity to mitigate threats (like your staffer’s unwittingly compromised login credentials) before they become disasters. 

https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/over-460-million-records-exposed-in-breach-incidents-reported-in-may/

Bit by bit helps client networks run smooth and secure.. visit our website at www.bitxbit.com/texas 877.860.5863

Business Leaders Series Online hosted by the Latino Business Group

Make sure to tune in on our Facebook page at 1PM tomorrow, Business Leaders Series Online hosted by the Latino Business Group.

Thursday, July 9 - Resiliency through Covid-19 –Join Deputy Fire Chief Pedro Arevalo and Dr. Victor Portillo, MD as they discuss what the pandemic has been like through their perspective and how the community has rallied around them.

https://www.facebook.com/GreaterArlingtonTX/live

Deputy Fire Chief Pedro Arevalo has worked for the Arlington Fire Department for 20 years and is the first Hispanic Chief in the department.  He is a native of Arlington and resided here since he was a child, graduating from Bowie High School.  He has assisted with the development if the AISD High School Fire Academy, oversees special events, and currently working with the State of Jalisco, Mexico to donate PPE Equipment and training their fire fighters.  He has seen first-hand the effect of the virus and the impact on our community and will share his perspective on his experiences.

Dr. Victor Portillo, MD with Medical Center Arlington, is an acute care/trauma surgeon.  Dr. Portillo graduated from Baylor College of Medicine and New York Medical College and will be sharing with the listeners his experiences in the emergency operating room and other areas of treatment, specifically during this pandemic and his experiences.

Sherry Jackson Chief of Staff sjackson@arlingtontx.com | 817-543-4287 Greater Arlington Chamber of Commerce 505 E. Border Street, Arlington, TX  76010 Learn more at ArlingtonTX.com

Bit by bit helps client networks run smooth and secure.. visit our website at www.bitxbit.com/texas 877.860.5863

RightFax integrations for Healthcare - Bit by Bit Webinar Showcase

RightFax Integrations for Healthcare Enhancing Patient Care & Efficiency Through the Power of Fax

Wednesday, July 22, 2020  2:00 - 2:30 p.m. EST

Fax. Gold standard. Healthcare. It's safe, secure, and it just works. And, with the growth of EMR platforms such as Epic and Allscripts, the need for a powerful, integrated fax platform is even more important.  That's where RightFax comes in. An industry giant, it addresses the evolving challenges of providing more efficient patient care, at lower costs, all while meeting HIPPA regulations.  Join us for this informative webinar about the power of RightFax and learn: Fax in the age of COVID-19 Integration options for EMR systems including EPI Security innovations that mitigate the risk of data breaches Virtualization & secure FOIP solutions Whether you currently use RightFax, an electronic fax service, or traditional fax machines, we are confident you will find this session to be time well spent.

Join Us

Bit by Bit, 115 West 29th Street, 4th floor, New York, NY 10001

Bit by bit helps client networks run smooth and secure.. visit our website at www.bitxbit.com/texas 877.860.5863

River Legacy Clay Shoot

Our River Legacy Foundation Sporting Clay Shoot is one of four annual fundraisers to benefit environmental education at River Legacy Nature Center, River Legacy Park, and now online! Enjoy the outdoors safely while supporting a good cause: helping children fall in love with nature. Learn More & Register Your Team Become a Sponsor  ‌  ‌  ‌

703 NW Green Oaks Boulevard, Arlington, TX 76006

Bit by bit helps client networks run smooth and secure.. visit our website at www.bitxbit.com/texas 877.860.5863

Can you spot the clues to this phishing email?

Bit by bit helps client networks run smooth and secure.. visit our website at www.bitxbit.com/texas 877.860.5863