“Phishing,” the veggie kind, not for eating. Our websites were victims of this viscous hacking trying to steal our ID and life’s work. It does not feel good. Paul worked with our son Dan, a computer security GURU with his own company called Castlerock Cyber Sec LLC at https://www.castlerockcybersecurityllc.com/
He fixed it and it works. So I posted a blog and so many of you received a notice that the site was not working. I sent a second message that if you click through the message the site will open with no harmful effects. Sadly, it took a few days to really get itself updated and so it went, now the site is working and we are grateful.
But, I am left feeling bereft and wonder what hackers gain from these endeavors (surely they do find victims) and how, as security experts seem to cover all bad acts quickly with newer and newer blocking techniques, it still happens. There are many online sites and publications concerning how to recognize possible scams, phishing messages and blocking techniques. Being aware and careful is the key. If a message seems a bit off base or contains an email or texts from friends that seem unlikely to have written by them, DELETE it. Contact them to make sure they know about a possible hack. I know this is not news to most of you, I am venting.
Here is a quote from The July 12th New York Times about work by the FCC to apply new technology under development to control hacks and scams.
“The latest effort by the Federal Communications Commission — the government agency that regulates communications — to cut down on the calls uses a technology called Stir/Shaken, which went into effect on June 30. While it has nothing to do with James Bond and martinis, it is meant to add to the arsenal of defenses against “bad guys” who trick people.”
Stirring and Shaking may work in our favor, but maintaining awareness of techniques to avert problems in your mailbox or text is a big step.