Is Your Smartphone Safe?

The recent move by the FCC and major cell phone carriers to create a database of stolen phones is in response to the danger your smartphone is in from thieves who want to steal and then sell them for profit. What about the hackers who just want the information from your phone – and then hope you continue using it to make financial transactions? The goal of cyber thieves … Read More »

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The BEAST – Security Hype from the Net?

The Internet Represents Enormous Complexity, And One of The Most Profitable Vehicles For Commerce And Crime The World Has Ever Seen. In September of 2011, two security research guys, Juliano Rizzo and Thai Duong, presented a paper at the ekoparty Security Conference in Buenos Aires, Argentina. While the technical aspects of their paper go beyond the understanding of all but hard-core security geeks, the underlying security ramifications are far … Read More »

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The Unseen Security Dangers in Financial Web Sites

Web Application Security continues to be a focus in mainstream media these days. Web sites continue to be hacked and millions of identities, credit card numbers, and user login credentials are compromised and will, undoubtedly, end up in the wrong hands. As we look at these hacks, many of us shake our heads and say these web sites were obvious targets for cyber thieves just looking to make a … Read More »

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My Web Site Has Been Hacked – Now What?

With recent industry reports indicating the alarming fact that more than 70% of all web sites have critical security flaws, you will most likely find yourself on the wrong end of a web application security breach at some point. It may have happened already; it may happen in the near future; or you may have hackers visiting your site every few weeks to gather up information. If you own … Read More »

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Covering Your Bets With Cyber Insurance

If you’re being honest with yourself, major successful cyber attacks on companies in the past few years should convince you of the fact that your business could eventually fall victim to a cyber attack. Whether your company is big or small, whether you handle ‘protected’ data or not, whether you have a few customers or millions – a data breach could be a company crippling event. To be fair, … Read More »

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Security Issues when Employees Quit

Most organizations have procedures in place to smooth the process of ushering soon-to-be ex-employees out the door. While these procedures are important, they aren’t enough to protect IT resources. It is more important to have departure procedures that begin on an employee’s first day at work. All new employees should be required to review IT onboarding checklists and policies. These establish the access that employees will have and the … Read More »

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Five Web Application Security Myths (Part 2)

Many Companies fail to Make the First Step Towards Security because of Misconceptions and Security Myths Protecting your website from hackers is tough. The battle between the good guys (you) and the bad guys (the hackers) is an ever escalating war where a misstep on your part may mean a breached site. Last week we touched on the first two of these myths. Get ready for the last three … Read More »

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Five Web Application Security Myths (Part 1)

Many Companies fail to Make the First Step Towards Security because of Misconceptions and Security Myths Protecting your website from hackers is tough. The battle between the good guys (you) and the bad guys (the hackers) is an ever escalating war where a misstep on your part may mean a breached site. But, many companies fail to even make the first step towards security because of misconceptions and security … Read More »

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The Zappo’s Breach – When Bad Things Happen to Good Companies

Who doesn’t love Zappos? They are one of the friendliest Internet stores in the US. Zappos started in 1999 by Nick Swinmurn, a truly great guy, who grew the company to $1 billion in sales by 2008. It has been a few years, but I still remember those giant boxes of Zappos shoes my wife and daughter would order – lots of styles in several sizes each. The shoe … Read More »

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Morto and Me

A Secret Beginning My brief relationship with the Morto worm lasted exactly 5 days, at least that I know of. She may have been lurking in my life for several weeks before that time; there were times when I would just catch a glimpse of her out of the corner of my eye, but I cannot be sure. When Morto finally did decide to make herself known there was … Read More »