Experts. OK. I understand what an expert is when it comes to a narrow field. Because it is possible to be “THE” man (or woman) in a concise area. But, when it comes to medicine- there’s renal, pulmonary, neurology, etc. You get the idea.
The same applies to cybersecurity. Oh, don’t get me wrong, I have more than a few clients who are “experts” in the field. But, there is a vast difference between someone who can build your network to keep intruders out, someone who can encrypt your messages (outbound), and someone who will make your phones untraceable- they are all different arenas of specialty.
But, Adam Levin, a lawyer, who served as the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs, and claims to be a cybersecurity expert? Well, yes, if it comes to personal finance, identify theft, and similar concepts. He is an expert in that sector. So, when he writes- or talks- about those issues, we should all take notice.
But, what he said recently made me spray my sip of coffee clear across the table. He is advising us to lie.
Let that sink in for a second.
He is telling us to lie when some dork (or bank) demands we answer a series of security questions. When they ask for our mom’s maiden name, our first address, the names of our kids, our favorite baseball teams.
Why? Because almost any crook – even those who could qualify to be caught by the Keystone Cops- can find out that information (from published records or our own social media blurbs) and usurp our account.
Nowadays, crooks use information that we (stupidly?) share on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter (among the plethora of others) with other data (like when the US Government was breached, or Target, or Sears, or the multitudes of places that don’t really protect our information from thieves), they can become…. US! They have our names, our social security numbers, and now our favorite things- and buy something on credit- for which we will be stuck with the bill. Or, maybe file a false tax return, obtaining a refund for which we then have to reimburse the feds.
And, if we are lazy enough to use the same password for multiple sites- then hacking a single site is a treasure trove for these cretins. But, even if we use passwords that are different, we are still not fully protected.
Because the thieves will notify the site they forgot the password, and now can provide the maiden name of your mom, your child’s middle name, etc. Et, Voila! They obtain a new password- gain access to your account. Oh, yeah. You are now blocked, too!
That’s why Levin wants us to lie. There is no reason for the bank or a credit vendor to need the name of your pet, your mom’s maiden name, the street which constituted your first abode.
So, from now on, your mom’s maiden name should be Ishkabibble. You grew up on Caterpillar Street, and your pet’s name is GoGetIm.
For your own true security.
Excellent advice.but is it too late for us who already put that info out there? I wonder.
Alana recently posted..Here Came the Sun #Skywatch Friday
So, the trick is to change everything now. So, that if you ARE hacked, and these folks put in the right information, they can’t control your bank account, credit card, etc.
Thanks for the visit, Alana.
Abraham Lincoln said: “No man has a good enough memory to be a successful liar.” I have enough trouble remembering passwords without lying.
The password is one thing. But whether you were born on the Moon or in Toronto (always pick the lie), had a sibling or you were one of six (again), your sibs middle name is Nada, etc- that will work.