Month: May 2016

Wondering if that LinkedIn password e-mail is real? Read on.

Security Management Magazine by Megan Gates  

LinkedIn is invalidating passwords for all accounts created before 2012 following the disclosure that 100 million members’ passwords may have been compromised.

In a post on the social network’s blog, LinkedIn confirmed that in 2012 it was the victim of an unauthorized access and disclosure of 6.5 million of its users’ passwords.

“At the time, our immediate response included a mandatory password reset for all accounts we believed were compromised as a result of the unauthorized disclosure,” the blog post said. “Additionally, we advised all members of LinkedIn to change their passwords as a matter of best practice.”

On Tuesday, however, LinkedIn became aware that an additional set of data that has been released claims to be e-mail and hashed password combinations of more than 100 million LinkedIn members from the 2012 theft.

The data is reportedly for sale on a dark web market called The Real Deal by the dealer Peace, who is selling the data for 5 Bitcoin (approximately $2,200), according to Forbes.

Due to this new development, LinkedIn began invalidating passwords on Wednesday for all accounts created before the 2012 breach that have not updated their password.

“We are taking immediate steps to invalidate the passwords of the accounts impacted, and we will continue those members to reset their passwords,” the blog post explained. “We have no indication that this is as a result of a new security breach.”

LinkedIn said it will be notifying individual users if they need to reset their password. “However, regularly changing your password is always a good idea and you don’t have to wait for the notification,” it explained.

To change your password on LinkedIn, follow the below instructions:

  1.  Login to your LinkedIn account
  2. Move your cursor over your photo in the top right of your homepage and select Privacy & Settings
  3. Select the Account tab at the top of the page
  4. Under the Basics section, click Change next to Change Password
  5. Enter your old password, type your new password, and then type it again to confirm it. (Passwords are case sensitive and must contain at least six characters.)
  6. Select the checkbox if you’d like to automatically be signed out of all sessions once you change your password
  7. Click Save

Report: Security and Privacy Fears Can Affect Internet Use

From “Report: Security and Privacy Fears Can Affect Internet Use”
PC Magazine (05/14/16) Murphy, David. Posted by ASIS.

About one-fifth of 41,000 respondents said they were victims of some sort of negative personal experience online in the last year, according to a new report from the Nationals Telecommunications and Information Administration. The report’s conclusion noted that it appears many Americans have completely changed their online behavior in the wake of privacy concerns. In fact, 45 percent of respondents indicated their concerns stopped them from conducting online financial transactions, buying goods and services, posting on social networks, or expressing opinions. Around 30 percent refrained from at least two of those activities. Most respondents cited identity theft as their main concern, followed by credit card and banking fraud, data collection by online services, loss of control over personal data, and the government collecting user data. The most concerned users were those who had experienced a breach of data in the past. NTIA will conduct additional studies to learn more about the public’s Internet practices related to online security and privacy.

Don’t Be A Victim- Avoid Smash and Grabs

The weather is nice and the bad guys are back in town.  That means crime season is upon us and the season is usually welcomed with car break-ins.  Car break-ins are easy, generally productive, and lower risk than other larcenies.  Please take a minute to review the attached flyer for some ideas to keep your stuff off of some naughty person’s list.

2015 vehicle smash and grab flyer.jpg