Cyberattacks have become so common that today, let’s ensure you are treating them seriously. The threat of a cyberattack targeting American infrastructure is growing as tensions escalate in the Middle East.
Here at home this month, login credentials of an estimated at 16 billion were leaked online. This leak involved credentials gathered from malware-infected devices and was not tied to a single company breach. The leaked data included credentials for everyday online services. This leak may grant access to Apple, Google, Facebook accounts, and more.
The credentials were not stolen from a single company but rather from a vast number of personal devices infected with infostealer malware, according to CyberScoop. Cybersecurity experts are unanimous in advising people to change their passwords regularly, especially after leaks!
“If hackers manage to get their hands on your password for Google, Apple, or Facebook, stealing your money and identity may be easier than taking candy from a three-year-old,” Ignas Valancius, head of engineering at cybersecurity company NordPass, said in a press release. I’ve used NordVPN for years now, if you’d like to check them out.
Image by Pete Linforth from Pixabay
Actions to Take
- Check all smart devices connected at home to the internet. Update firmware and you may want to set up a separate guest network for them to keep your personal information on a different network.
- Regularly back up your data and files.
- Install anti-virus software and consider adding an ad-blocker.
- Be alert for fake text alerts and links.
- Beware of phishing emails and verify the URL of the sender before opening an email.
- Look for HTTPS of any website you visit.
- Add Multifactor Authentication.
- Update your software regularly.
- Use strong, unique passwords and/or use passkeys when available.
- Change privacy settings and do not use location features.
CISA
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency is an agency dedicated to forewarn us by posting alerts when they learn of cyber threats. They provide cybersecurity services and resources to help individuals and organizations on their website. Check out the left side of the page I linked to see all the areas covered!
AI Presents a Risk
The train has left the station when it comes to AI usage. Yes, it can help you work smarter, but it also presents additional cyberattack risks.
ChatGPT can mimic a company’s writing style so well that you may think this email did come from your team. And the numbers back it up: In Q4 of 2024 alone, more than 989,000 phishing attacks were reported. Stay alert!
Zero Trust
Per Splunk.com, The idea behind zero trust is simple: don’t trust anyone or anything automatically. Just because someone’s inside your network doesn’t mean they should have access to everything. Every user and every system have to prove it, every time.
By 2026, 81% of organizations plan to implement zero trust. Its market is expected to hit $38.37 billion in 2025 and more than double by 2030.
The healthcare and financial sectors are actively pursuing Zero Trust. An example is the Mayo Clinic. They utilize an AI-integrated zero-trust model to protect patient records, monitor medical devices, and prevent ransomware attacks.
Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay
What’s Coming
Be on the lookout for quantum-resistant cryptography becoming a priority in the next few years. This is also called post-quantum cryptography. It is a new approach that uses algorithms to withstand the processing power that quantum computers will bring.
They’re far more complex than current standards, so much harder for even a quantum machine to crack. In fact, NIST has already announced the first set of four quantum-resistant algorithms:
- CRYSTALS-Kyber for general encryption
- CRYSTALS-Dilithium, FALCON, and SPHINCS+ for digital signatures
Quantum computing may still be years away from breaking modern encryption, but we can’t wait that long to prepare. Businesses and governments should plan for that shift and adopt quantum-resistant cryptography now to avoid major disruption later.
We Can’t Predict, We Can Prepare
#WeCantPredict #WeCanPrepare is my hashtag! It is so true with Cyberattacks, in life, in planning, in anything!
Is it time for you to get working on your plans? I’m ready when you are! Reach out via Email or Book Time with Lynn to talk about your unique situation.
For additional information about my work, check out @ The Living Planner or @ The Living Planner. If you’re up for planning your life’s administrative side, consider my book as a resource. The Living Planner: What to Prepare Now While You Are Living © Check it out HERE.
Quote for the week: “Calm but Alert; Relaxed but Ready; Smooth but Sharp; Humble but Confident” – MysteriousMotivations.com
Happy Summer 🌞 Lynn
#Can’tPredict #CanPrepare