Business: Protecting yourself from data scraping

Protecting yourself from data scraping

by Burton Kelso, The Technology Expert Are you one of the millions of people who are worried about the data breaches that have occurred with Facebook, Linkedin, Clubhouse, and Qlink Wireless? Well, the good news is none of these companies has recently been breached, so your user name and password information is safe. The bad news is cybercriminals have resorted to a 'data scraping' to obtain your personal information off social media to either sell the highest bidder or to use it to target you with personal cyber-attacks to get your money. How can you protect yourself from this emerging new threat? Here are 5 tips you can use to keep your data safe.

What is data scraping? The term data scraping refers to a bot or a computer program that extracts data from websites or other platforms. Data scraping, also known as harvesting has been around since the beginning of the World Wide Web. The information normally collected includes data, such as names, email addresses, phone numbers, and more. This technology is normally used by marketing companies that want to conduct advertising research or to find sales leads, but like many technology tools, programs that were created to benefit people can also be used to take advantage of them as we've seen with several social media websites suffering a data breach due to data scraping.

Why is data scraping a problem? Just like a data breach in which a hacker breaks into secure computer systems, data scaping can expose your important data which leaves you open to the following attacks:

Protect your data from data scraping. Ultimately it's up to big data companies to enable practices to keep your information from falling into the hands of criminals, but in the meantime, there are some things you can do to protect yourself: 1. It's time to become a Cyber Liar. Yes, you want people to know who you are, but you need to your information safe. Don't be so forthcoming about what you share online. If you can, change your social media profile names and create an online alias to keep your personal information off websites. This also includes using a fake address, fake phone number and being dishonest about those security questions you fill out.

2. Time to change those passwords and start using passphrases. Again, it's rare that a password would be leaked with data scraping, but if you're like most people, you're still using passwords. Make the switch to Passphrases is a sentence-like string of words used for logins that is longer than a standard password. They are easy for you to remember and difficult to crack. An example of a passphrase would be 'yellowmicrophonestand!' or stinkyvioletchicken45?

3. Setup two-factor authentication on all online accounts. There's always a good chance a criminal can get access to your online accounts which is why you need to enable 2-factor authentication can keep your accounts secure. When it's enabled, you get an email or text alert that someone is trying to get access to your accounts. If it's you or someone you trust, you can allow access. If it's a crook, you can deny them access.

4. Use a password manager to manage your account passwords. If you're like most users, you have a ton of online accounts, and keeping on top of all of those passwords is a challenge. Stop the struggle and utilize a password manager such as Lastpass, Dashlane, and your own browsers such as Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Safari, and Microsoft Edge to keep track of all of those account passwords. A bonus which password managers are they are always scanning the web to see if any of your passwords have leaked on the dark web.

5. Keep ahead of data breaches by making sure you’re haven’t been pwned. Many of the companies you deal with aren't forthcoming if they experience a data leak. Websites like Haveibeenpwned www.haveibeenpwned.com allow you to stay ahead of the game and track breaches that involve your information. Data breaches can change the course of your life. Businesses and individuals alike can experience huge complications from having sensitive information exposed and gathered by criminals. In this digital age we live in, make sure you're taking steps to stay safe and keeping up to date with how to protect yourself from data breaches.

Want to ask me a tech question? Send it to burton@burtonkelso.com. I love technology. I've read all of the manuals and I'm serious about making technology fun and easy to use for everyone. Reach out to us at www.callintegralnow.com or phone at 888.256.0829.

Office of Workforce Development awards grants to pre-apprenticeship programs throughout Missouri

The Missouri Office of Workforce Development (OWD) recently released a list of pre-apprenticeship programs that will be receiving grants of up to $50,000 as part of the Missouri Apprentice Ready initiative. Pre-apprenticeship is a program or set of services designed to prepare individuals to enter and succeed in a Registered Apprenticeship program. Missouri Apprentice Ready, which launched in February 2021, is an initiative that invests U.S. Department of Labor funds toward the development of preapprenticeship opportunities, supporting pathways to Registered Apprenticeships. Community colleges, local workforce development boards, and career and technical education programs submitted proposals to apply for the grant funding. Approximately $1 million in federal funds will be disbursed among these programs, serving roughly 350 potential pre-apprentices across 40 different occupations. The following applicants have been awarded grants: AFLCIO Missouri Works Initiative East Central College SLATE Full Employment Council Jefferson College Northeast Missouri Workforce Development Board Metropolitan Community College Special School District of St. Louis County – Adult Technical Education Department – STL Training St Louis Carpenters Joint Apprenticeship Program Workforce Development Board of Southeast Missouri The goal of Missouri Apprentice Ready is to create new preapprenticeship programs, increase the diversity of Registered Apprenticeships, and increase active apprentices in existing programs through preapprenticeship. Missouri saw 3,388 Registered Apprenticeships completed in FY 2020, more than any other state except California. Missouri has more than 13,000 active apprentices participating in more than 400 programs. Learn more about Apprenticeship Missouri at https://dhewd.mo.gov/ apprenticeship_missouri.php.

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Wheelchair accessible units are available on the first floor. Each unit includes a patio, washer/ dryer, and refrigerators with ice makers. Attention to the “little things that matter” are what make the units stand out, according to Property Manager Megan Osborn. Granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, ceiling fans, generous walk-in closets, and other high-end finishes give each unit a modern appeal. The mixed-use amenity center is scheduled to be complete by the end of the year and will include an indoor pool, pickle ball courts, exercise room, media/ theatre room, tenant co-op workspace and Wi-Fi café, leasing office and tenant storage units. For more information on the development and leasing opportunities, visit https://www.loftsatoldtowne.com/. Above: The one-bedroom “Snowmass” layout. Base rent for a first floor unit is $1000/month; $950 base rent for a second floor unit, and $900 for a 3rd floor unit. Image credit: Lofts at Old Towne.

Applications are now being accepted and limited tours are available for prospective tenants. Visit www.loftsatoldtowne.com for more information.

Kitchens include granite countertops and stainless steel appliances. Image credit: Valley News staff