Silicon Prairie Cyber Services' Blog

Here are 5 Cybersecurity Resolutions that you can put to use in 2022 at work AND at home.   1.       Fight Phish Keep your eyes peeled for phishing emails. That means checking the sender’s email address (not just the from name), hovering over links, and not falling for tricks that demand urgency.   1.       Enable Multi Factor Authentication (MFA) This adds a second layer of security to your accounts. Even if the fraudster has your password, he can’t access your account because he doesn’t have your code. Get MFA codes via an app, text, or email. Turn it on everywhere!    3.       Use a unique password on every site (hint: use a password keeper) Unique passwords are awesome. If a bad guy gets your password for one account, he can only access that one account. Now, if you were still using one password everywhere, he could get into all your accounts AND you have to change the passwo...

  I Wish you A safe & secure Holiday Season!!! I know you avoided the Grinch by shopping safely and securely online this holiday season by following my tips to avoid charity scams & offers that were too good to be true. These tips aren’t just for the holidays. They’ll keep you safe today and every day. And don’t forgot about checking your email twice for the Phish

Have you heard of mouse jigglers or mouse movers? They’ve become all the range since work from home has become more mainstream.   Back in my FBI days, we used mouse jigglers when we were on a search or at a crime scene to stop the computer from locking or going to sleep. If we didn’t have a mouse jiggler then the newest person would have to sit there and babysit the computer, constantly moving the mouse around to make sure we didn’t lose access to that computer, but I digress…   Today, people are using mouse jigglers to make sure they always appear active and don’t go to an away status on their computer while working remotely. They say it’s in the name of being paranoid about getting fired for being away from their desk too long to go to the bathroom or eat lunch. Yeah, let’s stick with that version of the story…   Now, before you jump on the Internet and start looking for your own mouse jiggler there is a dark side to all of this (besides your employer blocki...

  The bad guys are licking their candy canes in sweet, sweet anticipation.   Anticipation of what?   They can't wait to steal your holiday joy (and cash, passwords, and personal information) through the many online scams, cons, fake websites, phishing emails, and tricks they've prepared just for you. You’ll these scams everywhere this month. Especially in your inbox.   Let’s talk holiday phishing emails.   The holiday phishing email often includes an unbelievable coupon, special shopping offer, or impossible to get item. Other lures include bogus gift card offers, giveaways, contests, and too-good-to-be-true deals. The scams will also try to create a sense of "act now" urgency, like putting time limits on the deals.   How good are you phish catching skills? Find out in my Phish or Friend Online Quiz event on December 14 at Noon CT and only $12.99. Learn more and register at https://siliconprairiecyber.com/Quiz   I also talked ab...

Are you an entrepreneur, solopreneur, or a small business owner? Have you ever wanted to get in on some expert cybersecurity training, but never had room for it in your budget? Maybe you'd like to try you hand at one of those phishing email tests. Have you ever wanted to send a phishing email test to your employees' knowledge? You did some research but you found all the tech and expense put it out of your reach as a small business owner? I've been thinking about you, and how to get you the cybersecurity awareness training that you need, and you're why I've created a new service just for entrepreneurs, solopreneurs, and small businesses. And so a new Online Quiz Event called  Phish or Friend  was born. During Phish or Friend you will... 📝 Test your knowledge 🎣 Practice catching phishing emails in a safe and controlled environment ✔️ See how your phish detection skills up against others 😈 Learn how fraudsters lure you in 👉 Receive a bonus tip sheet to help you spo...

I'd thought I'd share something fun on this Thanksgiving day. Here's a list of my favorite Thanksgiving themed TV episodes and movies I'll be watching this holiday weekend in between eating turkey and making Christmas cookies. SIMPSONS - "Thanksgiving of Horror" FRIENDS - “The One with All the Thanksgivings” HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER - "Slapsgiving" SIMPSONS - "Bart vs. Thanksgiving" GARFIELD'S THANKSGIVING A CHARLIE BROWN THANKSGIVING YOU'VE GOT MAIL PLANES, TRAINS, AND AUTOMOBILES TOWER HEIST THE INTRUDER

Have you seen the Black Friday and Cyber Monday ads that started Nov 1 st ? The black Friday shopping that started Nov 4 th ? Clearly, businesses want you to spend your money shopping with them. And that means cyber criminals are just a few steps behind, and ready to snag your cash instead. In order to help you keep your money safe and receive the gifts you want this holiday season, I’m sharing… 10 TIPS FOR A SAFE AND SECURE HOLIDAY SHOPPING SEASON 1.  Turn on MULTI-FACTOR AUTHENTICATION Add that extra layer of security to all of your accounts by adding an extra step to your login-procedure. This is a code you enter after you submit your username and password. The code can arrive via an app (such as Google Authenticator), text, or email. It may also called to as dual-factor or two-factor and is abbreviated as MFA or 2FA. Enable it everywhere possible -especially on password keepers, email, and financial accounts. 2.  Avoid FREE WIFI That FREE WiFi you're using might ...