Issue link: http://palletcentral.uberflip.com/i/1511664
36 PalletCentral • November-December 2023 palletcentral.com 36 PalletCentral • November-December 2023 palletcentral.com used to advertise a business and can have payment information linked to purchase ads. Criminals can exploit this by buying ads that promote malicious links used to collect more personal data from innocent people that click on the ads. Not only will this harm the user with the hacked account, but it will also tarnish their business/accounts reputation. At the very least, having a social media account taken over will result in the collection of any and all information connected to the compromised user's account including that of family or friends. Criminals will also use hacked accounts to send malicious messages, through messenger, to as many random individuals as possible in the hopes of compromising them too. ey may also post malicious links to your timeline. How To Protect Yourself e first step to protect yourself is by being aware that this type of attack can exist. Knowing that criminals are capable of replicating legitimate emails is a crucial piece of knowledge to have. Without questioning the legitimacy of an email, it can lead to you making rash decisions. e second step is to remember a simple rule: "Validate or Eliminate." If you can't validate, or confirm, the information in the email to be true without clicking on the links, downloading the attachment, or calling the number contained in the email, then eliminate it. We've all heard of a rule similar to this before, yet when it matters most, we seem to completely forget or ignore it. Until you click, call, or respond to the contents of a phishing email, the criminals cannot do you any harm. If you cannot validate the information from the original email, it's time to eliminate it. You can safely do this by deleting the email knowing that your account is still secure without risking any dangerous interactions. For the last step, it's crucial you take the time to simply log-in to the account associated with the contents of the email. Make sure you log in via a mobile app or by visiting the website directly, NOT by clicking on any links in the email. In this case, logging into Facebook would reveal that your credentials still work and that criminals have not taken over your account. While logged in you could also validate the account profile information is correct as well as check for any suspicious activity. As an added precaution, it's also a good idea to change your password after you've been in an unusual situation like this – especially if you use It's been said that anti-virus software detects around 8% of viruses. You read that right, 8%. That doesn't mean you should stop using these programs. It just means that they don't offer that complete level of protection that people have come to expect from them. Carrie Kerskie is president of the Kerskie Group LLC, founded in Naples, Florida in 2021 originally for private investigation. Many of her clients experienced identity theft, and then cyber attacks, which led to her current work for more than 15 years on identity protection, risk management, and restoration services. She is a professional speaker, author and is highly recognized for her work. Visit carriekerskie.com for more information. a password that is less than 12 characters, or it's been more than a year since you changed it. Each year a password goes without being updated increases your account's risk of being compromised grows exponentially. is is especially true for massive web platforms like Facebook where data breaches are happening on a regular basis. Just One of Many Unfortunately, this is merely one of countless examples within the vast realm of cyber threats. How are you supposed to keep up with the ever-changing threat landscape? As previously mentioned, technological "solutions" to cyberthreats like anti-virus, phishing detection tools, or VPNs offer limited protection and often only help to notify you of an attack after you've been affected by one. It's been said that anti-virus software detects around 8% of viruses. You read that right, 8%. at doesn't mean you should stop using these programs. It just means that they don't offer that complete level of protection that people have come to expect from them. But until the media, corporations, or businesses start updating everyone on these issues, here are some better options to keep yourself informed: 1. Find a trusted source, such as a newsletter, podcast, or blog, that keeps you advised of the latest threats and how to avoid them. 2. Remember the simple rule of "Validate or Eliminate." is can be applied to emails, phone calls, text messages, or letters you may receive in the mail. Awareness isn't about memorization every scam. It's about staying informed so you can respond properly when faced with the next cyber threat.