KnowBe4 Offers No-Cost Children’s Interactive Cybersecurity Activity Kit

With this activity kit, parents, teachers and other guardians have some concrete tools to help teach their children about online safety and security in a fun and engaging way. 

https://www.knowbe4.com/cybersecurity-activity-kit

Increase in Office 365 Attacks and Data Breaches Should Be Expected as We Approach the 2019 Tax Season

Experts warn of uptick in phishing attacks against businesses leveraging Office 365 as the tax season begins, tensions run high, and opportunities to trick off-guard users will be plenty.

Cybercriminals want two things to exist when they attack: First, they want a gullible victim who will fall for a scam email. Second, they want either an immediate payoff, or a quick way to gain access to data that will turn into money quickly.

So, the combination of Office 365 users and tax season create a volatile and dangerous mix for businesses. Phishing scams related to taxes not being filed, unexpected refunds, changes to banking details, or huge tax bills are sufficient enough to get unsuspecting users to click on malicious links or attachments. And Office 365 can be the vehicle by which cybercriminals gain further access to endpoints, servers, applications, and data within the corporate network.

According to Global data recovery firm, Proven Data, during the 2018 tax season there was a significant rise in phishing attacks where emails disguised as tax-related alerts were sent to trick users into giving up their passwords.

BBB Warns Online Retailers Using Bogus IL Addresses

The Better Business Bureau serving Central Illinois and Chicago and Northern Illinois are warning consumers about a variety online retailers using addresses and disconnected phone numbers from Champaign-Urbana, Naperville, Las Vegas, L.A., Nashville, Tennessee, and West Chester Township, Ohio.

Consumers allege the online sites do not deliver purchased merchandise, or deliver shoddy goods that do not resemble what was advertised.

The BBB opened an investigation into the operation in November 2018. With the help of the Better Business Bureaus serving Southern Nevada, Middle Tennessee and Southern Kentucky, the investigation discovered at least 35 shops involved in this operation and another 16 that are inactive as of 12/31/2018. The BBBs linked the businesses via shared addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, and connections on social media platforms.

These online retailers advertise discounted merchandise, including hunting and tactical gear, tapestries, watches, vehicle accessories, and athletic wear, among other products. In addition, the companies advertise that a portion of their sales go to charity. BBB of Central Illinois requested substantiation for such claims, but its inquiries went unanswered.

The shops offer a 30-day refund policy for regularly priced items but only advertise discounted merchandise. However, the businesses’ refund policies state that discounted merchandise is not eligible for a refund. Some consumers allege they received their merchandise after 30 days making the order ineligible for return.

As of January 14, 2019, BBB locations in Illinois, Tennessee and Nevada have received 87 total complaints against these online businesses. In addition to the 87 closed complaints, another 56 complaints are pending.

The BBB has received complaints about Hunteroo, Tactical Deer, Berzerk Athletics, Tapestry King, Urban Mob, Epic Tapestry, Buff Eagle, Vehicle King and Dixon Leather.

The online shops are using 18 addresses across Illinois, Tennessee, Ohio, California and Nevada. Many of the addresses are residential, according to Google Maps.