Entries by Robert Siciliano

Your Strong Password Isn’t so Strong

Banks rely on usernames and passwords as a layer of protection and authentication to prevent criminals from accessing your accounts. However researchers now show that your password—even though it may be a relatively “strong” one, might not be strong enough. When you create a password and provide it to a website, that site is supposed…

Classifieds Ripe For Rental Fraud

I once listed a property for rent on Craigslist that scammers ended up relisting for a third of my asking price. People would pull into my driveway and knock on my door while the listing was active and even after the listing I posted had expired too. Business Insider reports, “Since lenders have tightened their requirements…

6 Tips for Apartment Security

According to the National Crime Prevention Council, apartments have an 85 percent greater chance of being burglarized than a single-family homeowner or rental property. Apartment security should be a priority for landlords to provide for tenants, but it’s really up to you, the tenant, to ensure your security. When hunting for a security-minded apartment complex, consider…

How Your Smartphone Will Identify You Privately

Banks rely on usernames and passwords as a layer of protection and authentication to prevent criminals from accessing your accounts. However researchers now show that your password—even though it may be a relatively “strong” one, might not be strong enough. When you create a password and provide it to a website, that site is supposed…

8 Ways to Avoid Contractor Fraud

Need a new roof, home security system, kitchen, driveway or furnace? At some point, you will. And when you do, you’ll search out reputable contractors who offer fair pricing—via the classified section of the local paper, an online search, Craigslist, or by making some calls to friends and family who know someone. Each resource provides its…

Banks Sues Client Over Wire Fraud

Banks usually have relatively secure systems to maintain and protect online banking activities. They’ve spent billions to ensure that criminal hackers don’t liquidate all of our accounts. But criminals spend all their time seeking vulnerabilities and often find some way to make a fraudulent withdrawal. Over the past decade as we have all (mostly) banked…

What are the risks of BYOD?

As companies cut costs, and employees desire more freedom of choice, they increasinglybring their own mobile  devices to work. . The opportunity to eliminate the significant expenses associated with corporate mobile devices excites even the most staid CFO, and the IT guys are told to “make it work.” This development has come to be known…

Portland Company Keeps Ringing the Bell Of Success

iovation, protects businesses from Internet fraud by identifying good online customers with its device reputation technology, recently announced that its ReputationManager 360 solution won gold in the security services category for Network Products Guide’s 8th Annual 2013 Best Products and Services Award. The award honors and recognizes the achievements and positive contributions of organizations and IT professionals worldwide. Additionally,…

Barefoot Burglar Gets His Final Sentence

You may recall the story about Colton Harris-Moore, who as a teenager was busted for committing over 100 burglaries in the Pacific Northwest. He stole cars, speedboats and airplanes and is known as the “Barefoot Burglar” because he kicked off his shoes running through the woods from the police. After two years of running, Harris-Moore was…

Who the Heck is This Credit Card Charge From?

If you travel as much as I do and use your credit card for every purchase from apples to zebras, you know it’s rare to recognize the name of a merchant listed on your credit card statement. For example, you may go to a restaurant by the name of Dave’s Bar and Grill and get…