Shay Colson, CISSP’s Post

The advice to take a breath before making a decision is usually the right move. That approach should extend into our on-line lives. That's why I am happy to support Craig Newmark Philanthropies Take9 campaign. Take a 9 second pause and think before you click, download, or share. A short pause goes a long way and can protect yourself, your community and our nation #Take9 https://pausetake9.org/ Why 9 seconds you ask? The same reason prices end in .99 -- to take the edge off the price and make it seem more reasonable.

**Awareness** During this time of the year, there are many non-profit organizations that are raising money. Unfortunately, SCAMMERS are also trying to get money. Stay alert ⚠️ Principal Financial Group shares tips of how to spot scams. It is important that you share this with your friends and family. Especially, the senior citizens in your life. Quick takeaways 🔷 Get familiar with types of imposter scams and what they all have in common (a person acting like someone they’re not). 🔷 Understand what red flags to look for, such as words that trigger fear or urgency. 🔷 Take proactive steps to protect yourself when something feels off. https://lnkd.in/eyahEBeJ

🚨 Stay Alert: Scammers are more active as EOFY approaches! 🚨 As the financial year comes to a close, it’s important to stay on guard. Scammers are particularly active during this time, targeting individuals and businesses with various schemes, including fake tax rebates, charity scams, and more. Remember to verify everything: Always check the credentials of any contact claiming to be from a government body, charity, or financial institution, and report the email or sms if it doesn't add up. Grab our Tax Time toolkit now, and be prepared this EOFY: https://lnkd.in/gjPyk2Ar #ScamAlert #EOFY #ProtectYourself #TaxTimeScams

In today's digital age, online privacy is more important than ever. Teach your children the importance of not sharing personal details online and help them understand the significance of online privacy. Encourage them to be cautious about what they share and with whom. Ensure all social media accounts have strong privacy settings to protect personal information and control who can see posts. By taking these steps, we can create a safer digital space for everyone and protect our loved ones from potential online threats. Together, we can foster a culture of awareness and safety in our online interactions. Stay informed, stay protected, and help others do the same. #magdalenasdaughters #humantrafficking #humantraffickingawareness #childtrafficking #endtrafficking #sanbernardinho #InlandEmpire #NonProfit

Lots of great tips here! As EOFY approaches, it's important to remember that scammers ramp up their efforts! Remember to verify everything: Always check the credentials of any contact claiming to be from a government body, charity, or financial institution, and most importantly, report the email or sms if it doesn't add up.

Check out the new Lunch and Learn Series at the Bob Hoffman Dover YMCA with Members 1st Federal Credit Union! Are you protecting your personal and financial information? In partnership with Members 1st Federal Credit Union, we are offering two financial education presentations. Lunch will generously be provided by Members 1st, therefore registration is required. FREE to members and non-members! Identity Theft - Monday, September 9 at 11:30am (what is it, identifying warning signs, minimizing your risk, and more!) Cybersecurity - Monday, October 7 at 11:30am (defining cybercrime, what it looks like, internet scams, protecting your online banking, and more!) https://lnkd.in/e69G-Zpq

Thought I’d share this valuable info! Phishing Attack or Spam Email? “Phishing” is a form of social engineering where cybercriminals try to fool people into revealing personal information online. The name comes from the idea of fishing: Scammers send a message that acts as bait, hoping to “hook” someone. Phishing attacks use email or malicious websites to solicit personal information by posing as a trustworthy organization, prompting you to click on a link that may infect your machine with malware and viruses. For example, an attacker may send an email seemingly from a reputable credit card company, or financial institution that requests account information, often suggesting that there is a problem. When users respond with the requested information, attackers can use it to gain access to their accounts. Attackers often take advantage of current events and certain times of the year, such as: Natural disasters (e.g., hurricanes) Pandemics, epidemics and health scares (e.g., H1N1, COVID-19) Economic concerns (e.g., IRS scams) Major political elections Holidays (e.g., Valentine’s Day, Independence Day) Spam is any unsolicited email that arrives in your inbox. You didn’t request it, but through the efforts of organizations that specialize in collecting and curating email addresses, it found its way to you. Cybercriminals who use spam target millions of inboxes with phishing emails that look like normal spam but that contain malicious links and attachments. Responding to one could lead to identity theft, email fraud, a ransomware attack on your business, or any number of other devastating consequences. If you suspect the spam is a phish, do not click on any links in the email, download any attachments, engage or respond, or fall for any emotional traps, like promises of rewards or threats for not acting. Please check out the Spam Email or Phishing Attack infographic for more great tips on spotting and avoiding phishing. Vigilance is the Best Defense Verify the sender: Were you expecting something from them? Check the sender’s email address (URL). If the highlighted URL contains characters that aren’t in the company’s main website, it could be a fake email. It may be a URL that does not reference the legitimate company at all or that alters the official URL in some way. You can always call the company to verify that they sent the email. What is in the message? Is the tone urgent? Are there grammatical or spelling errors? If so, be suspicious. Look for links or QR codes: If the email or text tries to get you to click on links or scan a QR code to visit a website and provide information, beware. Make sure the sender is someone you trust before clicking a link or scanning a code. QR codes should be treated with care since it can be difficult to discern where they point before scanning them. For more on QR code safety, read this blog from AARP.org. Confirm: Verify the request separately by phone with the office of the individual or system referenced.

Security Flaws in UK Political Party Donation Platforms ExposedThe donation websites of the UK’s seven major political parties are missing critical security features to protect the accounts of donors, according to DataDomeSecurity Flaws in UK Political Party Donation Platforms Exposed

Sadly every workplace is vulnerable to #fraud, and the charity sector is no exception. Being aware of the risks and taking the right steps to protect your charity from crime and wrongdoing is not as scary as it may sound. Developing a strong #Whistleblowing culture is essential to make sure you're hearing about problems before they escalate out of control. We can help: https://lnkd.in/e4UXKNNh #StopCharityFraud

Attention Charity IT Leaders! Get Ready for 'Breaking the Code' > https://lnkd.in/dUPzFUcZ Join Us for: - 'Breaking the Code' Virtual Escape Room: Dive into a hacker-themed scenario where you'll crack codes to stop a #cyberattack. - Insights from Drew Perry 💙 Perry: Leverage the expertise of an ex-hacker and current Chief Innovation Officer at Ontinue as he discusses: ➡ Multi-factor Authentication: Essential for cutting down #ransomware risks. ➡ Phishing Defense: Strategies to significantly reduce #phishing attempts and effective response actions. ➡ Breach Response: Crucial steps to take immediately after a security breach to mitigate impact. Sign up now > https://lnkd.in/dUPzFUcZ #MXDR #MicrosoftSecurity Charity IT Leaders, Tree Hall AuDHD