NetSafe's email digest on computer security issues
NetSafe News - 13 January 2015
The Bad Guys Never Sleep: Kiwis lose $1.5m in December
TAB fights back against cyber attack
Happy New Year! I hope you had a great Christmas break and managed to find some time to go offline and bask in the sunshine.

Whilst most Kiwis will have been enjoying some family time over the last few weeks, it seems that cybercriminals don't take holidays if you caught the news in late December when the TAB website was targeted by a DDoS attack and staff spent 3 days battling internet outages.

TAB executive general manager Glenn Patrick was quoted in the Herald as saying "I guess it's just part and parcel of the world we now live in unfortunately."

A Dour December

December is traditionally a quieter month at NetSafe as 2700 schools wind down and Kiwis
prepare for and enjoy the long holiday break. But whilst we only logged 465 incident reports during the month - less than half our May 2014 figures - reported losses reached $1,550,500 with romance, small business and investment scams taking their toll on internet users.

Incident reports continued to be received at NetSafe during the holiday period including on Christmas Day itself and we ended 2014 having recorded a total of 8061 incidents across a range of digital challenges with losses totaling $7,984,300.

If you're still in the mood for making resolutions, read on below for more tips on how to improve your online safety and security in 2015.
 
2015: New scams and security issues?

We're less than two weeks into the new year but the NetSafe helpline and online ORB reports have been busy already and Banking Ombudsman Deborah Battell "predicts complaints to her office about scams will increase this year", issuing guidance on how to avoid getting caught out.

At the end of last week, Detective Clifford Clark, the officer in charge of the Police National Cybercrime Centre also issued a warning to the media about 'revenge porn' extortionists.

It was reassuring to read that "Police had hired more staff to sleuth the cyberworld because of increasing public demand."

Please do share this email with friends and family so they can protect themselves online.

Chris Hails
TIPS: Safety and Security Resolutions for 2015
Creative Commons Licensing: Flickr User 'jeff_golden'

January is traditionally a time for new beginnings. Perhaps you've signed up for a gym membership or resolved to stop eating chocolate until 2016. Here are 5 quick tips to improve your online safety and security this year:

  1. Use Wi-Fi at home? Secure your wireless network
    With the bad guys now building botnets made up of compromised home routers it's time to check your settings.
     
  2. Got money to invest? Stick with authorised NZ firms
    Investment scammers are skilled at parting New Zealanders from their savings. Check the Financial Service Providers Register before handing over cash.
     
  3. Keep your clothes on when going online
    We make light of this tip when presenting to groups around New Zealand but being held to ransom is not a pleasant experience.
     
  4. “Don’t say anything online that you wouldn’t want your mother to read”
    Wise words from Arya Stark. Being a good digital citizen helps make the internet a safer place for all users.
     
  5. Upgrade your web browser
    Your browser is your window onto the internet world and using the latest technology is a great way to protect your computer from malware.
Common scams targeting NZ bank customers
Banking Ombudsman Deborah Battell predicts complaints to her office about scams will increase in 2015.

"Bank customers need to be vigilant to ensure they don’t become a victim and lose money".

The Ombudsman has released a new guide with tips and advice to protect your finances from potential scammers and information about common scams doing the rounds.
Read the Guide
NETSAFE


Safer Internet Day


This event on 10 February 2015 is celebrated worldwide to encourage the safe and positive use of the internet and digital technologies such as mobile phones, especially among children and young people.

New Zealand activities are being coordinated by NetSafe, the online safety and security organisation. See the participating organisations signed up to support the day.

Safer Internet Day 2015 (#SID2015) coincides with the beginning of the new school year and is a great opportunity to encourage internet users to revisit safety and security advice.

-> Find out how you can mark Safer Internet Day
 
SAFETY
Maisie Williams: online bullies tried to ruin my life

Game of Thrones fan? Star Maisie Williams discusses how cyber bullies targeted her after she became famous at the age of 12 and anonymous online bullying made returning to school "the worst year of my life."

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Cybercrime experts warn over 'revenge porn' extortionists

Police: "internet users' best defences were suspicion and security."

Covering up your webcam to avoid pictures being taken unwittingly also a wise preventative move.
PRIVACY
Does your PHONE know you better than your friends and family?



By ‘mining’ for Likes on the Facebook social network, software has been developed that can accurately predict how open, conscientious, outgoing and neurotic an individual user is.

The University of Cambridge has created an online test - or Prediction API - that lets you see what your Facebook profile is revealing about you.

"Apply Magic Sauce translates individuals' digital footprints into detailed psychological profiles"

You can take the test online but privacy fans should note that "You will be asked to log in so we can collect your LikeIDs but the app will not post to your wall."
SECURITY
Cybercriminals abuse charities to verify stolen credit card data

We've taken reports in January of New Zealand websites being used to validate credit card 'dumps'.

This report by Phishlabs highlights how automated attack tools are targeting poorly defended charity sites to check if stolen cards can be used online.

-> TAKE ACTION

If your website takes donations or payments online speak to your merchant provider now about ways to prevent fraud and improve security.

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UK: "a new intercept law might outlaw services such as Snapchat"

On the day that GCSB director Ian Fletcher resigned, British Prime Minister David Cameron has signalled that he wants "to strengthen the laws that allow the security services to intercept communications so that no method or element of online communication is out of reach of the state."
CRIME
How you could become a victim of cybercrime in 2015

Cybersecurity experts’ predictions for the year ahead: from ransomware and healthcare hacks to social media scams and state-sponsored cyberwar.
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