More on the Number Porting Scam

An update to my number porting scam article. Following is a link where you can have a read, and find out ways to protect your SIM card and carrier further. Take the few extra moments and steps to keep yourself protected!

List courtesy of Mobilesyrup.com

Canadian Cell phone providers list for adding a PIN to your carrier account.


V.

Number Porting Scam!!

There is a new one out there, that is starting to spread rapidly, and unfortunately, time is of the essence in dealing with it! Cell Phone Number Porting, or Unauthorized Porting.

Which is - the process of hijacking your cell phone number, and having it ported to another carrier. Then the scammer convinces a call center that they are you, and voila. Your information is sent to the scammer's SIM card. From there, all your data is copied over, and they begin downloading email apps and all the apps that you had on your phone. Then password resets are requested, and eventually, they get ahold of everything you had on your phone.

Think your safe? Even if you had/have the P.I.N. number on your phone or two-factor authentication via text or call, guess where that goes now.

Another thing with this scam is, there is a text sent to you saying that there has been a request to port your number to another carrier. It goes on to say if you did not authorize this to contact your carrier immediately. Well, this process only takes about 10 minutes. So if you don't get ahold of your carrier in that time frame to tell them it is not you requesting the port-over, the headaches begin.  In other words, if you see this has happened to you. Start changing your passwords, ALL of them!  Here is where I suggest using a password manager, as they will set highly secure passwords that are impossible to crack.  Check out Dashlane, or 1Pass or even  PasswordSafe.  You can also do a simple google search for "Free password managers" or just give that a click.  It is best to use an offline password manager, although any highly secure and encryption password managers are fine.

*photo courtesy of Krista Conrad and the St. Albert Gazette

Here is a link to her story regarding this scam as well.  Cellphone Hijacking in the Foothills

Here is another courtesy of Global News - New Phone Scams

CTV has a story as well  Winnipeg woman targeted by phone porting scam.

Once again, do NOT call or text any phone number or email that you do not recognize! Especially the ones regarding these types of things.

Your SIN number does not expire, the CRA will not call you and ask for payments in pre-paid cards, etc.

Even with the phone number spoofing going on, if anything like this happens to you, ask or request that you call them back directly. If they say no, something is fishy.  Do a little research, it can go a long way.

If you receive a text saying your number is about to be ported:

1. Call your provider and ask where it is being ported too
2. Call that company and have it suspended immediately!

Do NOT wait!
Do NOT pass off as spam!
Never call any unusual phone numbers in those texts! (Use the customer service numbers you are used to)
Never answer emails or click on rogue links that may compromise your data.

The Canadian Anti-Fraud Center Worth the read!!


Sevenowl.

Have you lost info in a breach?

Ever wondered if you have lost any info in a data breach somewhere?  Most people do. Following is a good site to check if your email has ever been compromised, and if any of your passwords have been seen in any breaches.  It also has some great links on sites that have been breached.  Check it out! It may save you some headaches down the road!

Have I been pwned.

Sevenowl

More new stuff coming soon!

Working on a few articles at the same time, I should have them posted in the next day or two. Until then,

Sevenowl

2 Factor Authentication

2FA or 2 Factor Authentication or Multi-Factor Authentication I'm sure a lot of people have heard of or been offered to use on certain websites etc.  But what is it? Well, simply put, it is a second security feature or a second password.

Quite a few websites online now are using 2FA, adding that extra level of protection. What it is, is either it can text you a random code, or email you a random code or even use an app called an authenticator.  Some places even have their own 'authenticators'.

Once you sign in to a website with your password, a secondary screen will come up asking for the code. Most of these are time-sensitive as well, with most codes only lasting 10-30 seconds before changing. 2FA has turned out to be quite useful in the security area of online shopping and gaming. As it gives you that 'extra' secure feeling.

If there are sites you visit, that you value, I'd suggest signing up for 2FA if they offer it. That way if your password is compromised, at least they can't log in with it as easily. In the ever-growing area of technology there are many ways that 2FA is evolving as well.  Including facial recognition, thumbprint recognition, and I'm sure retinal recognition will soon be available for everyone as well!

Any questions or concerns please email me.

Sevenowl

New patch for Windows 10

Hey everyone!  Microsoft has just released another patch that is addressing a flaw uncovered by the NSA. It should just be a matter of going to control panel and checking for updates and it should patch itself in a few simple steps. 

Here is some more info on it courtesy of TheHackerNews.  Windows 10 patch.

Here is another link that may be helpful if you need a hand checking for updates.

Windows 10 Patch.

It's easy to keep updated, It can be a real pain if you get compromised.

Stay safe all.


Sevenowl

Windows 7 EOL Part II

 

Well, it's here! January 14th, the official day that the support for Windows 7 ends.  What does this mean? Well, as in my previous article, this means that Microsoft will no longer be publishing any updates or patching any security features of the OS itself.  For the home user, this means your computer will run just fine, although over time as security flaws and other exploits are found, the less safe it will become, leaving your data on that system at risk.

For small business' that are using Windows 7, you are encouraged to upgrade immediately, as said above, once more and more security flaws and other exploits appear, there will be attacks on your systems. (Mainly because everyone is after personal information) No matter how big or how small your business is, it can become a target.

Below is a link to The Hacker News article regarding the EOL of Windows 7 and some other info that you may be after.

Windows 7 EOL by TheHackerNews.

Also, here is the official report on Windows 7 EOL by Mircosoft.

Windows 7 EOL by Microsoft.

Sevenowl.