• 888-966-4827
Menu

Monthly Archives
2019 June

Home / Blog
Top 10 Identity and Access Management Solution Providers – 2019

Top 10 Identity and Access Management Solution Providers – 2019

An Intelligent Way to Protect Your Employees

Guard Well Identity Theft Solutions was listed as one of the “Top 10 Identity and Access Management (IAM) Solutions Providers – 2019” in Enterprise Security Magazine. “What has intrigued us the most is that Guard Well always takes the driver’s seat in addressing the identity theft and restoration challenges through its full resolution solutions, cutting edge advanced monitoring tools and proprietary API technology. The company has been on the pinnacle in combining their 24/7 availability and an intense focus on customer service to provide the best IAM solutions today,” remarked Michael Brown, Managing Editor.

 

You can read the entire article HERE.

Two-factor Authentication Phishing Scam

Two-factor Authentication Phishing Scam

Have you tried to log into an account of yours, such as your insurance or financial institution, and been told to confirm your identity in order to keep your credentials safe? You then receive a code either via text or email which is required for you to enter. Also known as 2FA, this SMS multi-step process has been the trusted security step to protect your accounts … until recently.

 

Unfortunately, there is an automated phishing attack on 2FA, which utilizes two tools: Muraena and NecroBrowser. Reported by Fortune, “The two tools work together like the perfect crime duo. Think of Muraena as the clever bank robber and NecroBrowser as the getaway driver.”

 

The attack was first demonstrated at the Hack in the Box Security Conference in Amsterdam last month. A video of the presentation was posted on YouTube on June 2nd bringing renewed attention to how hackers are getting better at penetrating extra layers of security, despite people using stronger tools, like 2FA.

 

So, what do you do? Do you still want to utilize SMS-based 2FA for your accounts? For the most part, the answer is yes.

 

Think of it like this. Say you want to put a lock on your front door to protect your home. Security professionals are arguing that the best type of lock available is way better than cheaper locks. Sure, makes sense. But if that more expensive lock isn’t available to you, isn’t having a cheaper lock still better than not having a lock at all?

 

As discussed on How-to-Geek’s website, there are some people who are more likely than others to be targeted by sophisticated hackers and should avoid using this SMS-based 2FA. For example, if you’re a politician, journalist, celebrity, or business leader, you could be targeted. Also, if you’re a person with access to sensitive corporate data, such as a system administrator, or just very wealthy, SMS may be too risky.

 

But, if you’re the average person with a Gmail or Facebook account and no one has a reason to spend a bunch of time getting access to your accounts, SMS authentication is fine and you should absolutely use it rather than using nothing at all.

 

If you suspect that your login credentials have been compromised, change your passwords as quickly as possible and report the website to the FTC and/or your identity theft resolution provider.

 

Sources:

https://conference.hitb.org/

https://Howtogeek.com/

 

 

Preventing a Mortgage Closing Scam

Preventing a Mortgage Closing Scam

Searching for a new home, can be as exciting as it is stressful, tedious and time-consuming. It will likely be one of your most memorable life moments, especially for first-time buyers. So when you do find that perfect home for you, your bid is accepted and the inspection comes back great, you and your family celebrate and start down the long check-list of things to do prior to your move.

 

As that closing date approaches, unfortunately, the risk of being a victim of a phishing scam does as well. The ultimate cost could be the loss of your entire life savings and there is usually not an insurance policy that will recover your money if this happens to you.

 

The FBI has reported that scammers are increasingly taking advantage of homebuyers with very complex, sophisticated schemes with reports of mortgage fraud rising over 1,100 percent each year. There was an estimated loss of nearly $1 billion in real estate transaction costs in 2017 alone.

 

How would mortgage fraud happen to you? Mortgage fraud, a sub-category of financial institution fraud (FIF), typically starts with a phishing email that appears to be coming from a trusted professional involved in your property purchase. The email claims to be notifying you of changes to your wiring instructions or that they had made a mistake and previously discussed the wrong wiring instructions with you. Wire fraud is so prevalent that many attorneys, lenders and realtors are starting to include a warning about it in their emails. “We do not accept or request wiring instructions or changes to wiring instructions via email. Always call to verify.” But, be wary that even phone conversations may be fraudulent.

 

What can you do to prevent mortgage fraud from happening to you? Consult the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s Mortgage Closing Checklist. Identity two trusted individuals involved in the closing process and have multiple ways for you to contact them. Real estate professionals suggest that you create a code phrase that is only known to the trusted parties involved in the transaction in case there is a need to confirm their identities in the future. Be mindful that email is never a secure way to send financial information or closing details.

 

What if mortgage fraud happens to you? Try to ask for a wire recall with your financial institution. Being swift in reporting the crime can greatly increase the likelihood of recovering your funds. Report the fraud to your identity theft resolution provider. Lastly, file a complaint with the FBI.

 

 

Sources:

https://www.fbi.gov/investigate/white-collar-crime/mortgage-fraud

https://consumerfinance.gov

 

Photo credit:

Tierra Mallorca via Unsplash

Sextortion: How to Protect Our Youth

Sextortion: How to Protect Our Youth

Unfortunately, our children are at risk from online predators in many different ways. Sextortion is a criminal act and horrible nightmare to victims and their families.  Learning what sextortion is and understanding how it could happen are the first steps in prevention.

 

What is sextortion? The Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) explains that sextortion occurs when an adult, through threat or manipulation, coerces a minor into producing a sexually explicit image and send it over the Internet.

 

How would this happen? The perpetrators utilize social media, games, chat and dating apps to capture their victims. The criminals will tell children that they will make them famous or pay them an exorbitant amount of game credits, crypto-currency, cash, or gift cards if they will participate.

 

Why would my child engage in this act? Sextortion is happening when minors feel most comfortable … when they are on their device, using an app, or playing an online game that is part of their daily routine. The adults that do this crime know that your children might not yet be mature enough to consider the consequences of an action and make decisions like an adult would. Any child with Internet access is at risk. The FBI has interviewed victims as young as 8 and reports that the crime affects all children regardless of gender, ethnicity, and socioeconomic groups. The victims have been honor-roll students, children of teachers, and student athletes. The only common trait is that they are all online.

 

Why don’t victims ask for help? Once the criminal has your child’s single photo or video, they will threaten them with exposure; essentially, coercing your son or daughter to provide them with additional photos or videos and in even more compromising, explicit situations. The criminal knows that fear drives action. … fear of being in trouble by their guardians, of having their device taken away, of being persecuted for pornography, and of feeling massive embarrassment and shame.

 

What can we do to prevent sextortion? Discuss this topic openly with your children. Let them know that they can tell you anything and you are always there to help them. Communicate that you do not want them to chat with anyone they don’t already know online. Educate them that any photo or video they may take is already public information and not just on their device. Limit their device use. Make sure their social media accounts are kept private. Make them aware that some profiles are not real and that there are adults purposely pretending to be someone else to get them to chat and hurt them. Most importantly, trust your instincts. If something feels not quite right, it probably isn’t.

 

For more information, visit https://fbi.gov.