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Security Awareness News


What's in the news about security awareness? Take a look at some of the headline stories and hot topics that we've gathered. If you want to know more about a story, just click on the title and a new window will take you to the story's source.

Date Topic Source Description
Feb. 14, 2013 Default passwords vulnerability exploited resulting in fake Emergency Alert System warning of zombie attacks Reuters Broadcasters were sent an urgent message by the FCC instructing them to change the default passwords on all Emergency Alert System equipment after hackers posted a zombie attack alert warning. Although no damage resulted from the hack, future attacks could prevent stations sending out real emergency alerts.
Jan. 18, 2013 Global Security Study recommends investing in information security training and awareness to address vulnerabilities Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (DTTL) The 2013 Technology, Media and Telecommunications Global Security Study by Deloitte "identified lack of employee awareness and third-party risks as top security vulnerabilities, suggests that TMT organizations should consider investing in information security training and awareness for their employees to help mitigate risks from new technologies."
Jan. 15, 2013 Phishing 59% higher in 2012 compared to 2011 Speaking of Security: The Official RSA Blog and Podcast The number of phishing attacks in 2012 increased by 59%, according to the official blog of security company RSA. The projected impact of these phishing attacks was $1.5 billion dollars in fraud damages.
Dec. 07, 2012 Data breaches frequent in healthcare organizations The Data Breach Press by ID Experts The Third Annual Benchmark Study on Patient Privacy & Data Security by the Ponemon Institute found that not only did 94% of healthcare organizations experience at least one data breach in the last two years, 45% had more than five.
Oct. 1, 2012 White House victim of spear phishing attack CNET News A White House official confirmed that in September there was a successful spear phishing attack targeting the White House. Although an unclassified computer network was accessed, no classified networks were breached and no damage was done, according to the official.
Sep. 16, 2012 Security Mentor champions the National Cyber Security Awareness Month StaySafeOnline.org Every October is National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM). All around the world events are put on to help increase cyber security awareness. Visit the StaySafeOnline.org website (http://www.staysafeonline.org) to find events or learn how you can become involved.
Sep. 9, 2012 SMS phishing attacks rise 913% Cloudmark Did you receive the following SMS message? "Fwd: Good Afternoon. Attention Required" If you did you aren't alone. In the first week of September (2012), SMS phishing attacks were up 913% with 500 unique attacks. The goal -- innovative new ploys to get people to reveal their sensitive bank and credit card information.
Sep. 5, 2012 One-third have lost or had their stolen mobile phones stolen PEW Internet Nearly a third of all mobile users had their device lost or stolen. And 15% had their private data accessed. The study further found that loss or theft was highest among younger users (18-24 years old), but otherwise results were fairly consistent across different types of mobile users.
Aug. 21, 2012 Passwords have never been weaker according to Ars Technica article Ars Technica In depth article describing why passwords are weaker today than ever before. Topics discussed include the proliferation of reused, easily broken passwords, password exposure due to website breaches, how some web sites are inadequately protecting user's passwords, and the success of password crackers.
Aug. 7, 2012 19% Increase in Data Breaches Reports GAO Federal Times The Government Accountability Office (GAO) reported to the United States Senate that federal data breaches of personally identifiable information increased almost 20% in 2011.
Mar. 20, 2012 Negligent insiders responsible for 39% of data breaches Symantec Negligent insiders were responsible for 39% of all data breaches according to businesses interviewed in the "2011 Cost of Data Breach Study: United States" Symantec-sponsored report by the Ponemon Institute.
Feb. 16, 2012 Identity theft and phishing lead IRS tax scams for 2012 United States Internal Revenue Service Each year the U.S. Internal Revenue Service issues a list of the top tax scams for the year called the "Dirty Dozen". For 2012, identity theft is the top scam, followed by phishing. In 2011, the IRS stopped more than $1.4 billion dollars from being stolen by identity thieves. The IRS reminds tax payers that it "does not initiate contact with taxpayers by email or request personal or financial information".
Feb. 13, 2012 PHI data breaches increased 97% in 2011; security awareness best vaccination according to Redspin Redspin Data breaches of protected health information (PHI) increased 97% in 2011 and have reached epidemic portions according to Redspin, a provider of penetration testing services and IT security audits. In their Breach Report 2011, Redspin examined 385 breached of PHI affecting 19 million records. The ending conclusion of the report: "Lastly, there is no better vaccination against a data breach than improving the security awareness of healthcare workers."
Jan. 18, 2012 Dr. Hugh Thompson discusses why the need for security awareness is bigger than ever. Help Net Security Dr. Hugh Thompson, Program Committee Chair for RSA Conferences and Chief Security Strategist, spoke in a Help Net Security podcast about why the need for security awareness is now bigger than ever. Dr. Thompson states "security is coming more and more down to the little decisions that every single employee makes every single day". He goes on to discuss the importance of security awareness training actively engaging users and the burden on information security professionals for education.
Dec. 29, 2011 Smartphone users aren't worried about cyber-crime, and fail to use security software and data protection according to McAfee and NCSA. eWeek.com Seventy percent of smartphone users incorrectly think that their phones are safe from cyber attacks, moreover 70% never installed any security software or data protection, this according to a consumer-oriented report from the National Cyber-Security Alliance and McAfee.