Computer Chronicles
Version 11.2, November 2022
Highlights
During the 2021 holiday season, consumers spent approximately $886.7 billion, an increase of over 14 percent from the previous year. On Cyber Monday 2021 alone, consumers spent approximately $10.7 billion.
Cybercriminals will continue their efforts in 2022 to target online shoppers and marketplaces for financial gain. As consumers may be increasingly motivated to find deals, specials, and discounts when purchasing gifts this year in particular, it is vital to maintain awareness of the many cyber threats posed by these individuals and groups.
Threat actors may target victims through a variety of methods, including compromised or spoofed websites, phishing campaigns, social media ads and messages, or unsecured Wi-Fi networks.
Take a moment to look below to review the common attack vectors, along with tips and best practices, that will help to combat the threats posed by cybercriminals this holiday season.
Also, before you leave for the long break, please be sure *all* your devices are turned off: desktop computers, classroom Chromebooks, iPads, document cameras, projectors, etc.
I appreciate your help and hope you enjoy this time off.
Be Wary of Suspicious Emails
Around the holidays, users are likely to receive emails from known retailers regarding sales and coupons, order confirmations, and shipping notices. Cybercriminals can create spoofed emails by stealing retailer branding to make fraudulent emails appear legitimate, and may contain links or attachments that install malware or lead recipients to spoofed websites that steal user credentials. These emails may attempt to convey a sense of urgency - "Limited Time Offer!" - to prevent users from thoroughly inspecting the email for red flags. Users are advised to navigate directly to retailer websites by typing the legitimate URL into their browser instead of clicking on links in emails, and refrain from entering login credentials on websites visited via links delivered in emails.
Take Caution with Social Media Ads
Users are often faced with ads as they scroll social media platforms. While many of these ads link to known, legitimate vendor websites, users may also be confronted with ads that link to malicious or otherwise suspicious sites that could be used to install malware, steal credentials, or sell counterfeit goods. URL shortening can be employed by cybercriminals to trick users on social media sites and other outlets by hiding the true destination of a link. Users are advised to use a URL expander to reveal the true destination of shortened URLs prior to visiting websites and verify websites are the legitimate vendor prior to making any purchases.
Verify Charities Before Donating
Pro Tech Tip
Insert links into emails instead of attaching files. When sending an email in Gmail:
- Click the Drive icon
- Choose Insert a Drive link
- Send
It looks like it's an attachment but it doesn't take up space. Everyone views the file on Drive.
Magni Momenti Notitia
- "Think before you click."
- Got a tech problem? Please submit a help desk ticket here. Be sure to use the Google button to login.
- When submitting a help desk ticket, be sure to include the Inventory Number on every request. It is a 6-digit number with a barcode on a B&W label under the title "South Amboy Board of Education". This will speed up your request.
- Visit the Information Technology page on the district website for the latest news.
- What kind of shoes do bakers wear? Loafers.
Stuff I have been reading/watching:
- Cultivating Digital Literacy @ Adobe Education Exchange
- FBI-Wanted Leader of the Notorious Zeus Botnet Gang Arrested in Geneva
- Single-tasking: the power of focusing on one task at a time
- Google Assistant can now help bored drivers easily get to their favorite podcast episode
- Been Doing It The Same Way For Years? Think Again.
- FBI director says he's 'extremely concerned' about China's ability to weaponize TikTok
"There is nothing so useless as doing efficiently that which should not be done at all."
- Peter Drucker
Conceived, written and produced by
Michael Elson 💻
District Technology Coordinator
Join Technology Updates on Remind: https://www.remind.com/join/elson or text @elson to the number 81010
Email: melson@sapublicschools.com
Website: http://www.sapublicschools.com/departments/information_technology
Location: 32 08’59.96″ N, 110 50’09.03″W
Phone: 732.387.3559
Twitter: @sapublicschool1