Technology: Protect Yourself From Credential Stuffing Attacks

Technology

How To Protect Yourself From Credential Stuffing Cyber Attacks

by Burton Kelso, The Technology Expert

Cybercriminals have a 'never die' attitude when it comes to getting your information and money, which means there will always be new threats on the horizon that you should worry about. Credential Stuffing is affecting consumers and businesses alike and I'm sure you're wondering just what the heck that is. Well, credential stuffing occurs when cyber criminals obtain your online credentials that have leaked onto the dark web. Then they use automated bots to 'stuff' your credentials into the login pages on multiple websites to unlock your online accounts. Years of data breaches and the average person using weak passwords has provided a way for criminals to easily get access to your online accounts. How can you keep safe?

Check out these tips:

1. Don't use the same passwords on your online accounts.

Cybercriminals know that people use the same passwords for all of their online accounts and are slow to change passwords. Which is why if they get the password for one account, they will use it on all of your web accounts, including sensitive ones like your bank and other financial accounts. If you have different passwords for your online accounts this means if criminals get access to one account, it they won't get to the rest of your online accounts. 2. Change your passwords on a regular basis or just create strong passwords.

When criminals get access to your online credentials that have been leaked, the information is usually a few months old, sometimes older. If you get into the habit of changing your passwords on a regular basis, it prevents criminals from using those old passwords to log into your accounts. Now the school of thought on the frequency varies from tech expert to tech expert. The common rule is every 3 months, but I feel if you create a strong password, you don't have to worry about changing your passwords.

3. Do the Two-Step.

Two-step authentication is a great way to protect your online accounts. Most web-based accounts now have this feature. When you set up two-step authentication, you will get an alert sent to your smartphone whenever there is an unknown login into your online accounts. You have to confirm from our smartphone to give access to your account. It can be a pain having two sign-ins, but it's better than having someone access your critical information.

4. Find out if you've been hacked. There are a variety of websites that allow you to see if your information has been compromised. One of the more popular sites is www.haveibeenpwned.com This web site allows you to see if your web account login email has been part of a large scale breach or if the information is leaked on the dark web. Another site you can look at is www.fightingidentitycrimes.com. This site allows you to look at web breaches that go all the way back to 2012 to see if any company you have done business with has been part of a breach. If they have, the site gives steps of what you can do to protect your information and identity.

5. Use a password manager. A password manager works in making sure you can keep track of all of those different passwords for your online accounts, as well as helping you create stronger passwords for your accounts and monitor the dark web to see if any password you are currently using can be accessed by cybercriminals. One of the more popular password managers is LastPass (www.lastpass.com). LastPass keeps all of your passwords in a vault which allows you to automatically log in to all of your online accounts, create secure passwords for your accounts, and will even scan the dark web to see if any of your passwords have been leaked there. If you don't want to use another program, you can configure your favorite web browser (Safari, Chrome, Opera, Firefox, and Edge) to do the same things that Lastpass does. Credential stuffing is easy to perform, so its popularity with criminals will increase with time. Even if your business isn’t affected yet, you must protect your website and watch for all the red flags listed in this blog.

Credential stuffing is an easy process for cybercriminals, so don't expect it to go away anytime soon. Always remember that 99% of cybercrime requires user interaction and relies on consumers and businesses to be lax in their cyber security methods. Make sure you're always keeping up with your passwords for all of your accounts and keep up with the cybersecurity for your home and business.

Want to ask me a tech question? Send it to burton@callintegralnow.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. If you need on-site or remote tech support for your Windows\Macintosh, computers, laptops, Android/Apple smartphone, tablets, printers, routers, smart home devices, and anything that connects to the Internet, please feel free to contact my team at Integral. Our team of friendly tech experts organization can help you with any IT needs you might have. Reach out to us a www.callintegralnow.com or phone at 888.256.0829.

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Green And Clean: Eco-Friendly Tips For A Healthier Home

(BPT) - With social distancing, remote work and digital learning the new reality, there's no question that time spent at home has significantly increased. Keeping spaces clean and healthy is a top priority particularly as we head into winter months. Creating a healthy home is easier than you think - consider these five simple steps.

Step 1: Change air filters regularly Your home's heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system typically includes an air filter that pulls dust, contaminants and microscopic allergens out of the air. If you can't remember the last time you changed the air filter, it's time to add it to your list. These filters should be replaced at least once a season to help maintain a healthier home. During seasons that your system is more in use, such as daily heating during cold months, you may want to change it out more often.

Step 2: Use products with better ingredients Some cleaners contain harsh

chemical ingredients that can do more harm than good. Look for products that effectively clean with naturally occurring ingredients like hydrogen peroxide. For example, Bona PowerPlus Antibacterial Surface Cleaner kills 99.9% of household germs like influenza A, rhinovirus and E. coli through the power of hydrogen peroxide. This ready to use, streak-free formula cuts grease and grime on sealed nonporous hard surfaces like granite, stone, ceramic tile, stainless steel, glass and more.

Step 3: Kick off your shoes Wearing shoes inside the home can track in unwanted dirt and germs. Place a shoe mat or basket at often-used entryways to keep organized and to encourage visitors to remove their shoes. Additionally, a door mat both inside and outside of the doorway can keep mud, snow and chemicals like salt melt off floors. As an added touch, snag some comfy house slippers so visitors have no excuse to go shoeless.

Step 4: Refresh and remodel with green materials With extra time at home, more people are tackling home improvement projects. Whether you are refreshing a space or embarking on a major remodel, look for eco-friendly options such as paint, flooring and other materials with low volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which will ensure healthier air quality. Consider renovating rather than replacing cabinets, floors or furniture. These areas of the home can easily be freshened up with a stain or finish and it prevents these materials from ending up in landfill.

Photo credit: iStock Photo

Step 5: Add plants Greenery not only improves the appearance of a house, but the right plants can also help clean the air. The NASA Clean Air Study tested plants' ability to remove indoor air pollutants. Peace lily, lady palm and snake plant (also called mother-in-law's tongue) are a few indoor plants that had a positive impact on indoor air quality. Place these in high use spaces, such as the living room and bedroom, to add to the health and aesthetic of the space.

These five steps will help you revamp your home's health quotient so everyone can breathe easier.

MDC Reports 80,525 Deer Harvested During Firearms Opening Weekend

by Joe Jerek, Missouri Department of Conservation

Preliminary data from the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) shows that deer hunters in Missouri harvested 80,525 deer during the opening weekend of the November portion of the fall firearms deer season November 14th and 15th. Of the 80,525 deer harvested, 48,695 were antlered bucks, 6,867 were button bucks, and 24,963 were does. Top harvest counties for opening weekend were Howell with 1,499 deer harvested, Bollinger with 1,453, and Franklin with 1,446. Last year, hunters checked 88,760 deer during the opening weekend of the 2019 November portion of firearms deer season. (StatePoint) Preparing for unpredictable winter weather? Take stock of your home, vehicle and planning tools to ensure your family stays safe and warm all winter long. Luckily, AccuWeather’s expert meteorologists know a thing or two about predicting the unexpected. They shared their top winter tips. Stay Safe on the Road If you’re among the 74% of Americans planning to travel for the holidays, the AccuWeather app’s MinuteCast forecast can help you predict when to hit the road. It provides a constantly updating minute-by-minute look at precipitation over the next two hours (soon to be expanded to four) locally and at your destination. AccuWeather meteorologists make sure they’re prepped for the road before leaving. “If your car’s snow accessories have been sitting for a long time, it may be wise to make sure they’re in proper working order,” recommends senior meteorologist, Paul Pastelok. This may include checking whether it’s time for an oil change. In snowy climates, outfit your car with winter tires, which can withstand winter weather more effectively than all -season tires. Whether or not you’re traveling, ready your car by monitoring tire pressure, testing your car battery, keeping an eye on windshield and wiper blades and adding a coat of wax if you can. Get Cozy at Home Channel your inner meteorologist to keep the house safe. AccuWeather meteorologists have some simple hacks for preventing messes such as frozen For current ongoing preliminary harvest totals by season, county, and type of deer, visit the MDC website at extra.mdc.mo.gov/widgets/ harvest_table/. For harvest summaries from past years, visit huntfish.mdc.mo.gov/ hunting-trapping/species/deer/deerharvest-reports/deer-harvestsummaries. MDC noted that poor weather during much of the weekend affected this year’s harvest total. In many areas of the state, hunters dealt with rainy conditions on Saturday, particularly during the morning. Although rain moved out by Sunday, hunters were greeted by strong, gusty winds for pipes, broken radiators, flooding and leaks. “Replace worn out weather stripping around windows and doors,” says AccuWeather senior meteorologist, David H. Dombek. “Also, ensure your rain gutters are cleared of leaves and other debris. Clogged gutters can lead to problems when it comes to snow, ice and below freezing temperatures.” To prevent clogged drains, you can make a simple, environmentally-friendly mixture of salt, baking soda, and cream of tartar, then pour it into drains once a week. Opening cabinet doors in the kitchen and bathroom can help circulate warmer air around plumbing. In frigid conditions, let a bit of water drip from faucets, especially where pipes aren’t insulated. You can also unhook garden hoses before the first hard freeze to prevent busted pipes. For older furnaces that may need replacing, schedule a tune-up. Senior meteorologist Alan Reppert also makes sure to clear leaves and snow away from his heat pump to ensure air flow. “Anything in the way of air flow can affect your heating system’s efficiency,” he notes. To track rain, snow, cloud cover and potentially dangerous conditions so you can get the house winterized, use the mapping features on AccuWeather.com and on the app. Plan Ahead to Dine Outside With COVID-19 cases on the rise and restrictions on indoor dining in effect nationwide, dining out can require advanced planning. When eating outdoors, factor in the variables associated with unpredictable winter weather. AccuWeather’s forecast provides info needed to plan a week most of the day. The November portion of firearms deer season continues through November 24th. Archery season resumes November 25th through January 15, 2021. The late youth portion runs. November 27th29th. The antlerless portion of firearms deer season runs December 4th-6th followed by the alternative methods portion December 26th through January 5, 2021. Find more information on deer hunting from MDC’s 2020 Fall Deer & Turkey Hunting Regulations and Information booklet, available where hunting permits are sold and online

Deer hunters in Missouri harvested 80,525 deer during the opening weekend of the November portion of the fall firearms deer season Nov. 14 and 15. Top harvest counties for opening weekend were Howell, Bollinger, and Franklin. Photo credit: MDC

Helpful Winter Weather Tips From The Meteorologists

at short.mdc.mo.gov/ZXv.

out—plenty of time to make that reservation. Meteorologist and emergency preparedness specialist Becky DePodwin also recommends checking AccuWeather’s RealFeel Temperature to determine what it’s actually going to feel like tableside. This can help you decide whether to venture outside, bring a blanket or opt for takeout. “Oftentimes in winter, especially if there’s any amount of wind going on, the temperature’s not going to be an adequate indication of what it feels like outside,” she says.

Get an Insider View A one-size-fits-all weather report isn’t sufficient when it comes to planning. AccuWeather’s Winter Center page provides detailed winter weather predictions just like a meteorologist would, with everything from the newly added ice accumulation tracker to the wind speed calculator. You can also find forecasts designed for specific interests and needs, including the outlook for holidays, snow sports and longer-range looks at the months ahead. All of AccuWeather’s winter prep resources are available at AccuWeather.com/en/us/WinterWeather.

No matter what your winter plans are, you can plan with confidence like a meteorologist, for a safe, warm winter.