by Payton | Oct 8, 2018 | General
Third-party applications are any software app made by someone who isn’t the manufacturer of the mobile device it runs on or its operating system. They also exist through websites and social media. For example, Facebook has third-party apps that it permits even though they were not developed to function on the popular social media site. While these types of apps may sound foreign, they are actually very prominent. Apple Store and Google Play contain thousands of third-party apps. Furthermore, they are ubiquitous on every social media site.
Types of Third-Party Applications
Official App Stores vs. Third-Party App Stores
Third party application stores are unofficial app stores that offer a multitude of third-party applications. They often tempt customers to buy and download their applications by providing a much lower price in comparison to the official app stores. Another tantalizing aspect about these stores is that they accept alternative currency, such as cryptocurrency so that users can remain anonymous. Furthermore, there are currently over 300 third-party stores, and that number continues to grow as society becomes more digitalized.
In comparison to third-party application stores, first-party stores offer native apps as well as third-party apps. Native applications are produced and distributed by the device’s manufacturer or operating system creator using proprietary source codes. They are commonly found pre-downloaded on devices or through official app stores such as the Apple Store and Google Play. Some typical examples of these on iPhones are iTunes, iBooks, and Message.
Safety Risk
The significant difference between third-party stores and official application stores is that the official stores have higher security to protect you from malicious third-party applications. Many phone services even ban the use of third-party application stores so they cannot compromise your device. Often, when you download an insecure third-party app, it infects your device with malicious software commonly in the form of Trojan horses. Most third-party applications require access to your profile information. This gives them access to your contacts, passwords, financial accounts, emails, pictures, and a lot of other sensitive information that can provide them with access to infiltrate your device and compromise your data. Furthermore, they can also duplicate your profile, which exposes your personal information to potentially harmful individuals. Additionally, they can use your information to form a botnet.
How to Avoid Infection
The best way to prevent your device from being infected by third-party apps is by avoiding third-party application stores. While they may have a few safe apps, their security standards are far below what the official app stores offer.
Also, for social media third-party applications, they often ask for access to your account information. Many people quickly grant them access without reading what information they require. Instead of blindly permitting them access to your data, be sure to read over what they want access to in order to ensure your private information stays secure.
Another way to prevent infection is by using cybersecurity products that scan your device for malicious software. Furthermore, it is imperative that you run scans frequently and keep your software up to date.
For more information about cybersecurity, visit our website https://dynagrace.com/.
https://www.lifewire.com/what-is-a-third-party-app-4154068, https://us.norton.com/internetsecurity-mobile-the-risks-of-third-party-app-stores.html, https://help.twitter.com/en/managing-your-account/connect-or-revoke-access-to-third-party-apps, https://www.wandera.com/third-party-app-stores/, https://www.t-mobile.com/responsibility/privacy/resources/device-apps
Image Resources: Featured Image: https://pixabay.com/en/photography-taking-picture-display-801891/, https://pixabay.com/en/users/LoboStudioHamburg-13838/, https://pixabay.com/en/app-store-iphone-store-apps-1174440/, https://pixabay.com/en/mobile-phone-smartphone-keyboard-1917737/
by Payton | Oct 1, 2018 | General
We live in a digital age where everything is online, and smartphones are an efficient and convenient vehicle to access and share electronic information. However, this accessibility increases the threat of cyber attacks. Malware, viruses, Trojans, and botnets are becoming increasingly common infections on smartphones. Despite this threat, many people overlook the need for smartphone cybersecurity software. In a recent study, 96% of smartphones do not have installed security software, which puts the user’s personal information at risk. Additionally, big-name online security companies often do not make traditional software that is found on personal computers, such as firewalls, antivirus, and encryption, for popular smartphone devices (i.e., iPhone, Android, and Blackberry).
Why Do Smartphones Need Cybersecurity?
Smartphones are essentially small computers with a mobile operating system. However, smartphones are more vulnerable to cyber attacks than personal computers because we use them for more personal tasks. Smartphones can access emails, monetary transactions, social media applications, and accessing online banking. Through their use, our phones compile a large collection of personal information that is extremely attractive to hackers.
Furthermore, smartphones often use “clouds” to sync data across all of a user’s devices. Therefore, a hacker only needs access to one device to retrieve all of your information on the cloud.
Additionally, attackers can utilize an employee’s smartphone to infiltrate company information. A recent study found that 67% of companies and organizations suffered a data breach due to a hacker infiltrating an employee’s smartphone.
How Are Smartphones Hacked and Infected?
Third Party App Stores
Many app stores entice people with lower prices for their applications. However, the Apple App Store and Google Play are the safest sources for applications because, unlike third-party companies, they have security measures that filter out malware-infected apps. Third-party stores are highly unregulated and can trick you into downloading a malware-infested application that compromises your data. In a recent study, scientists found that attackers used illegitimate apps to infiltrate 1.3 million Google accounts in 2016.
Drive-by Downloads
Drive-by downloads are any malware that installs itself onto your device without your approval. These are found on fraudulent websites and emails, and, once you access them, the drive-by begins to download infectious software onto your smartphone.
7 Ways to Avoid Hackers and Smartphone Infection
1. Install Security Software and Keep it Updated
Security Software is necessary for any device that can access the internet. The software is designed to patch security holes that make your information vulnerable. Furthermore, each update keeps the device secure against new security holes, so it’s important to have the most current software.
2. Keep your Operating System Updated
Updates for smartphone operating systems are released to improve your phone’s innate security. While many people worry about the time and space that these updates cost, it is important to utilize them. These updates keep hackers at bay and protect your personal information.
3. Don’t Jailbreak Your Phone and Be Careful Installing Apps
Many people are tempted to jailbreak their phones to use other application stores. However, you should only install apps from credible stores such as Google Play and the Apple App. Furthermore, be aware of what information you are giving applications access to on your phone. As consumers, we often overlook these small details and give them access to whatever they want. However, unlimited access can allow them to install malicious software on your device.
4. Use a Password Lock on Your Device
Having a screen-lock is the first level of defense against an information breach. Even if the phone gets stolen, the screen-lock can prevent access to most intruders. While a password may seem obvious, studies show that most people don’t have a passcode lock because it is an inconvenience.
Furthermore, passwords and passcodes are the preferred types of protection. Many people utilize biometric identifications, but they prove to be less effective. In many court rulings, the U.S. found that individuals must unlock their phones if utilizing biometric identification. However, they are not mandated to reveal their passcode.
5. Be Aware of Wi-Fi Networks and Bluetooth
It is very tempting to connect to public Wi-Fi networks. However, open networks make it extremely easy for hackers to intercept your online traffic and infiltrate your system. Therefore, never use open public networks to send or access sensitive information such as passwords or banking information.
Bluetooth is another easy way for attackers to access your phone. Therefore, whenever you aren’t using, turn it off.
6. Wipe Data from Old Phones
Before selling or disposing of an old phone, be sure to erase all of your data from it and restore it to factory settings. By doing so, it prevents attackers from accessing your personal information through your old phone.
7. Report any Stolen Smartphone
If your phone is stolen, report it to the local law enforcement authorities and register the stolen device with your provider. By registering the phone, it notifies you when someone tries to access a wireless network. Furthermore, it utilizes a “bricking” mechanism that prevents the phone from being activated on a wireless network.
For more information about cybersecurity, visit our website https://dynagrace.com/.
Resources: https://us.norton.com/internetsecurity-emerging-threats-why-smartphones-and-tablets-need-security-software.html, https://medium.com/threat-intel/smartphone-security-tips-f0c30c309030, https://heimdalsecurity.com/blog/smartphone-security-guide-keep-your-phone-data-safe/, https://www.fcc.gov/sites/default/files/smartphone_master_document.pdf, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/255965434_Cyber_Security_and_Mobile_Threats_The_Need_For_Antivirus_Applications_For_Smart_Phones
Picture Resources: Featured Image: https://pixabay.com/en/phone-cell-cell-phone-cellphone-690091/, https://pixabay.com/en/app-store-iphone-store-apps-1174440/, https://pixabay.com/en/adult-body-casual-close-up-1867757/, https://pixabay.com/en/coding-computer-hacker-hacking-1841550/, https://pixabay.com/en/signal-travel-landscape-stencil-2237664/,
by Payton | Sep 24, 2018 | General
As society enters a technology-based age, cybersecurity continues to be a pressing issue. Cyberattacks continue to threaten our national security on a daily basis. One of the most highly publicized cybersecurity breaches occurred in the 2016 elections. While we focused on Russia’s growing military power, they attacked us online and subsequently influenced the election outcome. However, while cybersecurity remains a constant threat, the United States has an overall shortage of workers who specialize in this field. According to a CompTIA report, there are 301,873 job openings in cybersecurity-related fields since April 2017. To overcome this vulnerability, the United States lawmakers have introduced a bipartisan bill in the House of Representatives that focuses on building up our cybersecurity networks.
The Bill
United States lawmakers recently introduced a bipartisan bill to the House of Representatives to combat the shortage in the cybersecurity workforce in all sectors of companies. Congresswoman Jacky Rosen (Dem., NV-03) initially presented the bill under the name of the Cyber Ready Workforce Act (H.R.6791). If passed, this bill would establish a grant program in the Department of Labor and focuses on developing and advancing cybersecurity-based jobs. Furthermore, in the bill’s text, it explicitly states that the Secretary of Labor will be able to award grants to workforce intermediaries to help in the implementation and expansion of cybersecurity apprenticeship programs. The apprenticeship program also is permitted to assist in:
- Career counseling
- Mentorship
- Transportation assistance
- Housing
- Childcare costs
Nevada
The Cyber Ready Workforce Act is based on a cybersecurity apprenticeship program that the state of Nevada recently implemented on May 15, 2018. This program focuses on high demand industries that struggle with finding qualified employees. These industries include information technology, hospitality, and advanced manufacturing. These apprenticeship programs provide opportunities to train and empower future employees and assist in economic mobility.
Support
The bill has gained a lot of support since being presented. It was co-sponsored by Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (Rep., NY-21), Congressman Seth Moulton (Dem., MA-06), and Congressman Dan Donovan (Rep., NY-11). Furthermore, it has gained the support of workforce and trade organizations such as The Learning Center and CompTIA.
For more information about cybersecurity, visit our website https://dynagrace.com/.
Resources: https://www.zdnet.com/article/us-lawmakers-introduce-bill-to-fight-cybersecurity-workforce-shortage/, https://www.securityweek.com/new-bill-aims-address-cybersecurity-workforce-shortage, http://gov.nv.gov/uploadedFiles/govnvgov/Content/OWINN/Press%20Release_May_New%20Apprenticeship%20Occupations%20Approved(6).pdf, https://www.reviewjournal.com/videos/first-cybersecurity-apprenticeship-program-coming-to-nevada/
Picture Resources: Featured Image: https://pixabay.com/en/supreme-court-building-supreme-court-1209701/, https://pixabay.com/en/letter-document-handwriting-paper-1840354/, https://pixabay.com/en/europe-gdpr-data-privacy-3256079/
by Payton | Sep 17, 2018 | General
Autistic individuals have greatly contributed to our society and have earned their places in our history books. One noteworthy individual is Albert Einstein. He developed the theory of relativity and is now known as the father of theoretical physics. Another extraordinary individual with autism is Alan Turing, the man who cracked the Nazi Enigma code. His contributions ultimately helped the Allies win World War II. These individuals, much like other individuals with autism, excelled because they were detail-oriented and could think outside the box. This illustrates that, when society gives a voice to people who think differently, the possibilities are endless. Furthermore, modern technology advancement found a surprising new area for autistic individuals to excel in: cybersecurity.
Autism
Autism is common spectrum disorder that is usually characterized by impaired social skills, communication, and repetitive behaviors. However, these individuals often possess unique strengths as well. A common societal prejudice is that autistic individuals have lower intelligence, which is supported by lower IQ tests. However, this is not necessarily true. Scientists have found that a lot of genes that code for autism also code for high intelligence.
Furthermore, autistic brains often are larger and have more synapses, or cell-to-cell communications, than the average person’s brain. Combined, these studies indicate that autism is a disease of higher intelligence. However, the lower IQ tests indicate imbalanced intelligence. This paradox means that these individuals are very, very smart in certain areas, but average or below average in others.
Autism in Cybersecurity
Overall, there is a massive labor shortage in cybersecurity, which has had profound effects on the nation as a whole. By 2019, the damage caused by cyber-attacks by terrorists and other hostile individuals is expected to exceed $2 trillion. Furthermore, businesses recently began recruiting autistic individuals to fill their cybersecurity shortage. According to recent studies, ¾ of cognitively-able autistic individuals score high in aptitudes and interests that strongly correlate to cybersecurity careers. With this in mind, innovative firms such as Microsoft, SAP, Freddie Mac, Gates Foundation, and Milken Institute are already hiring autistic individuals to oversee their cybersecurity, and the results are astonishing. These employees are not only filling the positions that safeguard our nation, but they are also excelling at it. According to interviews with these firms, autistic individuals surpass the general population in protecting our nation from cybersecurity threats because they are very detail-oriented, analytical, methodical, and integrous.
The extent that autistic individuals are outshining others in cybersecurity holds a lot of promise for the future. It goes to show that neuro-diversity in the workplace is essential.
For more information about cybersecurity, visit our website https://dynagrace.com/.
Resources: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/11/171102131330.htm, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4927579/, https://www.wired.com/2016/11/autistic-people-can-solve-cybersecurity-crisis/, https://www.forbes.com/sites/kateoflahertyuk/2018/09/10/how-employing-autistic-people-can-help-stop-cyber-attacks/#4f0ac3834b50, https://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/autism-link-cyber-crime-personality-trait-scientist-research-university-bath-dark-web-a7663086.html
Picture Resources: Featured Image: https://www.flickr.com/photos/157975988@N08/36532609156/in/photolist-XEgaVE-eYzBUV-eYLXWf-da6VGj-bAm3et-95e378-bAmvNM-mHPASR-dFUQ8a-5RXuPc-6bWCG7-bnrANd-agUxRV-Mcfxg-MqZtkS-7CCGzR-aFgPqa-e2HUhi-ekEDFz-3hEBrq-bAmsVk-eYzz16-8GaGvG-djDKQW-a4EHtH-AuCRZ-bnqXQf-4EimyY-8oMhie-eYLWpf-ctfWyG-eYzA52-72hnNm-4oxRxM-fNsTWN-aDCAfc-5vu3pQ-5tK1Fv-nVPuux-bA9Uxw-ekL4ob-ekKZ7s-XBZpYS-Hhzav-4Eimvw-ejXwWR-5tPmSd-8oQtF7-rzV1uV-6hgTHp, https://pixabay.com/en/europe-gdpr-data-privacy-3256079/, https://pixabay.com/en/autism-brain-dyscalculia-health-3616338/
by Payton | Sep 10, 2018 | General
Office of the Director of National Intelligence via Wikimedia
Reality Winner, 26, is an Air Force veteran who worked as a contractor for the National Security Agency (NSA). While working at NSA, she encountered a classified report with proof that Russians interfered with the 2016 presidential elections by penetrating a voting software supplier in Florida. Furthermore, the document provided proof that the government knew about it and withheld the information from the public. Winner printed off the report and left work that day with it tucked in her pantyhose. As soon as she arrived home, she mailed the document to The Intercept, an online media agency, which released a report on the secret document. Afterward, The Intercept contacted NSA and provided a copy of the report that appeared to have been folded up. Furthermore, the United States Intelligence Agencies later confirmed Russian interference.
Winner’s Sentencing
As a result of her crimes, Winner was found guilty on one account of espionage. Initially, she would have had to serve ten years in prison and a $250,000 fine. However, she accepted a plea deal, and the federal judge sentenced her to serve 63 months in prison instead. Her sentencing stands as the most severe punishment for leaking confidential information to media sources. Furthermore, it is the first espionage trial since Donald Trump took the presidential office, and it serves as an example of the Trump Administration’s goal to diminish disloyalty through information leaks.
Winner’s Motive
While her motive is not completely clear, Winner expressed extreme distaste for President Donald Trump via her social media. For example, after Trump won the election, she posted “Well. People suck. #ElectionNight.” She even went as far as calling him an “orange fascist” in other posts.
When confronted with proof that the Russians compromised the 2016 election, many people believe that she tried to act as a whistleblower to expose the extent of the government’s knowledge that they withheld from the public.
However, after the exposure, she was promptly arrested and tried as a would-be-terrorist with vindictive motives. Furthermore, her Facebook chat conversations with her sister support this hypothesis. In one such chat, Winner stated,
“Look I only say I hate America like three times a day.”
The Aftermath of the Trial
Despite her distaste for President Donald Trump, he posted multiple tweets expressing his discontent with her sentencing. In one such tweet, he said,
“Ex-NSA contractor to spend 63 months in jail over ‘classified’ information. Gee, this is ‘small potatoes’ compared to what Hillary Clinton did! So unfair Jeff, Double Standard.”
Furthermore, others have expressed discontent with her sentencing because they viewed her actions as that of a concerned whistleblower rather than a terrorist. One such person is the editor-in-chief of The Intercept. In an interview, he referred to her as a “conscience-driven whistleblower.” Other people believe that her harsh sentencing was solely to send a message to other individuals to prevent disloyalty and information breaches.
For more information about cybersecurity, visit our website https://dynagrace.com/.
Resources: https://www.politico.com/story/2018/08/23/reality-winner-sentencing-russia-hacking-report-794330, https://www.cnn.com/2018/08/23/politics/reality-winner-nsa-leaker-sentenced/index.html, https://www.cbsnews.com/news/reality-winner-former-nsa-contractor-deeply-regrets-leaking-classified-documents/, https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/26/us/reality-winner-nsa-leak-guilty-plea.html
Picture Resources: Featured Image: https://pixabay.com/en/classified-background-blog-business-2651347/, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:ODNI_Statement_on_Declassified_Intelligence_Community_Assessment_of_Russian_Activities_and_Intentions_in_Recent_U.S._Elections.pdf&page=7, https://www.flickr.com/photos/gageskidmore/8567813820/in/photolist-e47hxW-9hLwdw-9DHdpK-eULu15-QmEXh-9x78vr-9Ci12c-e47hqo-e41GhK-e41ELr-e47mDU-e47iLE-9Ci1xg-bBBKx7-e41Jw8-e47hZm-axn74W-czGa9m-ackdJf-9EKCYM-83635z-9EKBAB-6Vwm1r-6gFez8-dXmUcV-8GEQ4F-dtRGkf-8eBtBn-884SZB-9zBcAv-9CkvqS-kNFjPw-2uTddH-g25GLQ-dnMPJZ-5nrmkz-bC8uho-7WprrH-ecutQQ-xQMNR-c9CadJ-g1XPzf-5nrmkt-duASTf-iziX4o-87XohL-eMX37d-rpJw2x-MJQCVD-MK39tW,
by Payton | Sep 3, 2018 | General
Cyberstalking is utilizing online resources to stalk somebody. It can include threats, false accusations, defamation, libel, identity theft, manipulation, slander, vandalism, and solicitation for sex. With our growing dependence on technology, cyberstalking has grown to be a major problem. The Data and Society Research Institute and the Center for Innovative Public Health published a study in 2016 representing 3,002 people and found that 8% had been cyberstalked at some point in their life. Furthermore, these individuals reported feeling afraid and unsafe due to the cyber-attacks. Additionally, the Pew Research Center found that, out of 4,248 adults, 7% have been stalked online. They also found that women are more likely to be victimized.
As cyberstalking continues to grow to be a bigger problem, the public must be aware of what it is and what to do when someone is victimized.
How to Avoid Cyberstalking?
One of the easiest ways to avoid cyberstalking is to be mindful of what you upload on social networking and remove any inappropriate content that has already been posted. This limits the amount of information available on the web. Furthermore, protecting your information on your devices is crucial. Be sure that your programs are password protected to prevent others from seeing any content. Also, be aware of password safety. When making a password, ensure that they are at least eight characters long and include upper case letters, lower case letters, numbers, and symbols. Most importantly, do not share your passwords with anybody else. This denies access to sensitive information and prevents people from posting crude, embarrassing, or disturbing things online on your behalf.
Furthermore, perpetrators can glean a lot of information off of photos posted on social media sites via metadata. Metadata can reveal where the photo was taken, the device it was taken on, as well as other information. This data usually comes from mobile phones, which can be turned off using the geotagging feature in the phone’s setting.
Additionally, many cyberstalkers use phishing emails or Trojan horses to gain access to your computer’s files and data. These continue to be a big threat online, so it’s crucial that you avoid them. Do not download any links or content from an unknown email address or website. Also, avoiding suspicious websites and using a security program improves your safety exponentially.
Cyberstalking Laws
Over the past few years, the use of technology in malicious ways has necessitated the states to pass laws to protect its citizens from cyberstalking. These laws stipulate imprisonment for anyone who utilizes technology to cause another person harm or emotional distress. Florida passed laws that incorporated cyberstalking into its stalking statute. According to Florida, cyberstalking is charged as a first-degree misdemeanor. However, it can be upgraded to a third-degree felony when threats are involved. California is another state that incorporated cyberstalking into its talking statue. In the state of California, cyberstalking is punishable by up to one year of jail or by a fine of $1,000. If the instance is severe enough, the perpetrator may have to serve time in jail and pay the $1,000 fine.
In contrast to California and Florida that incorporated cyberstalking into their existing laws, Washington created a new statute that specifically targets cyberstalking. In Washington, cyberstalking is charged as a misdemeanor. However, if the cyberstalker has a record of threatening or harassing the victim, then it is classified as a felony.
What to Do if You are a Victim?
Victims of cyberstalking may not know they are being stalked. However, if you believe someone is cyberstalking you, get in touch with your neighborhood police, and they can assist you. It’s a crime to take explicit photos or videos of another individual and distribute them in a sense that is meant to cause emotional distress. Furthermore, the victim doesn’t have to show that the stalker had the intent to execute the threat. If you’re a casualty of cyberstalking, attempt to gather as much physical evidence as feasible and document each contact. Take screenshots and save text messages and chats. Do not alter them in any way, and it is extremely helpful to keep a printed version as well as an electronic version. Alongside evidence, it is useful to document the time and date as soon as the perpetrator begins cyberstalking you. In this documentation, be sure to include all written and verbal threats as well. Many police have departments that specialize in cybercrime.
Another way to stop cyberstalking is to contact the perpetrator’s Internet service provider. They can block the user from using services to harass you. They can also discontinue their Internet service and will put them on a record for harassment that is extensively monitored.
Cyberstalking is a rather under-reported crime, and it is a serious crime, and the psychological torment it is extremely real. If you feel like you are in danger, the best thing to do is speak up and report it to the police, family, and friends.
For more information about cybersecurity, visit our website https://dynagrace.com/.
References: https://cyberbullying.org/cyberstalking, https://us.norton.com/internetsecurity-how-to-how-to-protect-yourself-from-cyberstalkers.html, http://www.mass.gov/ago/public-safety/cyber-crime-and-internet-safety/cyber-crimes/cyber-stalking.html
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