I hope you had a lovely Thanksgiving with those you love. I am practicing eating to live not living to eat, so this year I didn’t put together a large spread. It’s more about the company they say – so true! I’m glad to be back taking the time to write to you. This week, I want to underline cyber security once more.
In case you have not heard, last week web services giant, GoDaddy, discovered they were hacked this past September. This news is similar to 2020 when GoDaddy discovered a hack that had taken place in 2019. GoDaddy has virtually unlimited resources and still was unable to defend themselves or even be aware of the breach in a timely fashion. This goes to show that, while others may do a better job, nobody can guarantee your safety. In fact, most providers expect to be breached so they have prepared response plans for various scenarios. In the scary yet necessary world of cyberspace, all of us should take steps to ensure we’re doing our part to protect ourselves. Here are some quick and easy tips that will go a long way in helping you:
Sign up for a service to lock and unlock your credit card as needed.
Monitor your credit activity (many credit bureaus offer this for free or you can try Credit Karma).
If you make a lot of random online purchases, consider making them on a virtual credit card.
When in the slightest doubt about any email, call the sender to verify. Never email anyone sensitive information.
The most important tip is to always be on guard. Yes, it sounds exhausting, but it will all be okay when you make more time to let go and enjoy the sunset without any gadgets nearby.
See you next week,
– Burak Sarac, Team Lead
Holidays Fuel Surge of Phishing Scams
We’ve discussed phishing scams before, but they are worth revisiting during the holiday season. Phishing attacks increase during this time of the year because people are more susceptible to social engineering targeting their desire to show their loved ones they care. Also, urgency (for limited time deals, shipping deadlines, etc) is less suspicious. This article details the unique threats faced during the holiday season and how to mitigate them. Please exercise caution and do not hesitate to reach out to us for help or guidance. It is always better to be safe rather than sorry!
World Wildlife Conservation Day
World Wildlife Conservation Day is on December 4th. What species do you think is the most invasive? Catfish? Locusts? It’s us, humans. Hunting, poaching, habitat disturbances, and especially climate change all contribute to the endangerment and extinction of many creatures. Check out this article to learn more about conservation and how you can help.
What Are Algorithms and How Do They Work?
The world of computing is full of buzzwords: AI, supercomputers, machine learning, the cloud, quantum computing and more. One word in particular is used frequently: algorithm. But what is an algorithm and what exactly does it do? Here is a short video that explains the basics. For further information, check out this article.
National Sock Day
National Sock Day, celebrated on December 4th, is a day to celebrate those socks that managed to stick together and maybe mourn those socks that lost their significant others in the wash over the years. Whether you’re a fan of knee-high, crew, ankle, or low-cut socks, celebrate National Sock Day by supporting one of these sustainable sock brands or donating socks to a charity! Shelters are always in need of new clothing, especially undergarments.
