Christopher Duque, Online Security Advisor | Mar 2, 2023 | Column, Mar - Apr 2023
Many of us include the ritual of spring cleaning around this time of year. Spring cleaning is all about tackling the areas you may have neglected during the rest of the year. And nothing is more satisfying than a sparkling clean home, right? But don’t forget about your computer and devices.
Christopher Duque, Online Security Advisor | Jan 1, 2023 | Jan - Feb 2023, Wisdoms
Data from the Federal Trade Commission show that more consumers than ever report falling prey to romance scamming, also called “catphishing.” The total reported lost over the past five years has now reached $1.3 billion. How Do They Do It?
Christopher Duque, Online Security Advisor | May 3, 2022 | Column, May - June 2022
When you open an online account of any kind (anything from Facebook to online banking), you generally want to set the minimum password length to at least eight characters. The longer the password, the harder it is to crack, so for even greater security, set the...
Christopher Duque, Online Security Advisor | Dec 30, 2021 | Column, January - February 2022
Major corporations, government agencies, healthcare organizations, small businesses and private individuals are all being targeted by ransomware. The law enforcement and cybersecurity communities believe many of the cybercriminals behind these attacks are connected to organized crime, anti-US entities or even terrorist groups. It is an ongoing challenge to identify hackers and bring them to justice.
Christopher Duque, Online Security Advisor | Jul 26, 2021 | August - September 2021, Column
Social media is a great way for all of us to keep in touch with family and friends, and our kūpuna are no exception. The use of social media among senior citizens has been a growing trend. However, social media presents some extra risks for older people.
Christopher Duque, Online Security Advisor | Jun 3, 2021 | Column, June-July 2021
Now that COVID-19 vaccination is in full swing along with economic relief packages from the federal government, scammers are using phishing emails and texts, bogus social media posts, robocalls, impostor schemes and more to prey on the public.
Christopher Duque, Online Security Advisor | Jan 31, 2021 | Column, February - March 2021
Becoming a victim of credit card fraud is likely to happen to us all. We may lose our credit card (or debit card) and the finder may make unauthorized purchases. Or somehow, an online fraudster obtained our credit card information and has made unauthorized online purchases.
So what do you do when that happens?
Christopher Duque, Online Security Advisor | Nov 27, 2020 | Column, Dec 2020 - Jan 2021
What happens when you pass away or there’s an emergency that leaves you incapacitated, and family members need to access your mobile devices, computers, emails and social media accounts? Have you documented this important information? Here are some tips:
Christopher Duque, Online Security Advisor | Oct 9, 2020 | October - November 2020, Wisdoms
One of the most common problem I encounter investigating a cybercrime is that the reporting person and/or victim fail to provide any records and/or documentation to support their claim that they had been victimized — more so in cases involving online fraud. One of the simplest and quickest methods of documentation is printing out the webpage offer, sale or service.
Christopher Duque, Online Security Advisor | Aug 5, 2020 | August - September 2020, Wisdoms
It may be hard to believe, but even during the coronavirus pandemic, criminals are targeting and preying upon the public via phony websites, bogus emails and text messaging, and by phone.
Christopher Duque, Online Security Advisor | Mar 28, 2020 | April - May 2020, Wisdoms
How do you know that you are the target of a scam? Here are some red flags that you should be aware of…
Christopher Duque, Online Security Advisor | Feb 4, 2020 | February - March 2020, Wisdoms
Before trading in or selling your mobile devices, cellphones or tablets, be sure no sensitive data is left behind that may put you in jeopardy. Here are a few basic steps to reduce the risk of being victimized.
Christopher Duque, Online Security Advisor | Dec 7, 2019 | Dec 2019 - Jan 2020, Wisdoms
If you want to make a donation, first go online and research the charity. Check the Better Business Bureau or the Federal Trade Commission for any scams or complaints connected to the organization. Scammers attempt to fool you into thinking they are a legitimate, so before donating, verify that the URL and email address are correct.
Christopher Duque, Online Security Advisor | Oct 4, 2019 | October - November 2019, Wisdoms
When purchasing items with a credit or debit card online or over the counter, there are precautions you need to take.
Christopher Duque, Online Security Advisor | Aug 2, 2019 | August - September 2019, Wisdoms
How often do we get and answer calls from telephone numbers of people who we think we know, only to discover it’s a telemarketer or scammer? Here are some prevention tips that may help…
Christopher Duque, Online Security Advisor | May 27, 2019 | June - July 2019, Wisdoms
There’s been a marked increase in text messages with a spoofed Caller ID that ask the recipient to click on a hyperlink — that’s always the objective of this type of scam. It is their methodology to hijack your device. Two Major Risks include: The recipient does not know who really sent the message; and the hyperlink may redirect the message recipient to a website where malicious software may compromise the recipient’s cellphone.
Christopher Duque, Online Security Advisor | Apr 5, 2019 | April - May 2019, Wisdoms
To create secure passwords, you generally want to set the minimum password length to at least eight characters, but a minimum length of 14 characters is better.
Christopher Duque, Online Security Advisor | Feb 2, 2019 | February - March 2019, Wisdoms
At the start of a new year, many of us make a New Year’s resolution to get healthy. Did you make a resolution to start the year with a “healthy” computer, too? Here are some computer health tips…
Christopher Duque, Online Security Advisor | Dec 2, 2018 | Dec 2018 Jan 2019, Wisdoms
With all the natural disasters happening throughout the world, unscrupulous scammers are looking to take advantage of our empathy and generosity as we seek ways to help the victims of those disasters. These scammers will be soliciting donations using telephone messages, emails, and even social networking services like Facebook.
Christopher Duque, Online Security Advisor | Sep 26, 2018 | Living Life, October - November 2018
One of the trending online fraud schemes involves being contacted by either friends or relatives via email or through social networking services like Facebook about receiving large amounts of money through investments, a class action lawsuit, or even a random contest drawing. However, these “friends” or “relatives” are NOT who they claim to be.
Christopher Duque, Online Security Advisor | Jul 29, 2018 | August - September 2018, Living Life
Purchasing medication and even filling prescriptions online can be a risky process, but the chances of being victimized can be greatly reduced by taking a few necessary precautions. Avoid email scams Try not to respond to email “spam.” But if you are inclined to do...
Christopher Duque, Online Security Advisor | May 19, 2018 | June - July 2018, Living Life
Telephone scams have been around for years, even before the birth of the internet, and they are just as dangerous as their online counterparts. Because modern telephone networks use digital technology, it is easy for cybercriminals to manipulate what appears in the Caller ID to trick you into thinking you are receiving a call from a trusted source. This tactic is called “spoofing.”
Christopher Duque, Online Security Advisor | Apr 10, 2018 | April - May 2018, Living Life
One of the most common problems I encounter investigating a cybercrime is that the victim fails to provide any records and/or documentation to support their claim that they have been victimized. This is often also true of others reporting the crime, either with the...
Christopher Duque, Online Security Advisor | Nov 30, 2017 | Dec 2017 - January 2018, Living Life
What would happen if cybercriminals took control of your email account? They would have access to all the services and people you communicate with. These criminals will be able to impersonate you, drain your financial nest egg and ruin your life! To protect yourself,...
Christopher Duque, Online Security Advisor | Oct 1, 2017 | Living Life, October - November 2017
A simple way to protect your online identity is to use strong passwords. Use any or combine all five of these steps to create strong passwords. Step 1 Select a non-English word at least eight characters long — for example, the Hawaiian word kapakahi, meaning...
Christopher Duque, Online Security Advisor | Jul 23, 2017 | Aug-Sept 2017, Living Life
by Christopher Duque, Cybercrime Investigator. DPA Computer users can get “victimized” online simply because they don’t spend enough time keeping their devices up to speed. Hackers are able to compromise our devices daily if we don’t update the software on our...