Tag Archives: Cyber Crime

MGM Resorts Hit by Cyber – Timely Newsletter Reference….

Posted on September 13, 2023 by | Leave a comment

With the final editing of the Q 4 2023 Newsletter in process… an article included in is Cyber Security from a half day seminar late spring….

From the Newsletter Article..

If there’s one thing, for those of us with little time or patients for a long read that we would like you to take from this article it is that most cyber intrusions come from an e-mail that has a bad actor with a hot link click, do not click on that bad hot link!

The second thing and more encouraging, most cyber security situations are not extremely complicated and are allowed by a simple letting of our guards down- see above point!

It Happens to the Best of them – MGM Resorts

Monday morning, during a regular research call, it was noted MGM had been taken down via a hacker… maybe a bad loser… but who knows…

This from the site early am Monday… for all of MGM at the time…

Oh my…just checked it again… YIKES!

Snapshot taken 9-12-23 at 8:44 PM

Cannot imagine the lost revenue from this hack… WOW!

Quick Google for more information — From – This Las Vegas Journal

On Tuesday, some point-of-sale locations couldn’t process credit card transactions at MGM’s retail outlets, and in-resort ATMs were offline. Some guests complained that they couldn’t get into their hotel rooms because the MGM app was off. The company has since remedied that problem by issuing key cards. MGM’s websites and mobile app remained down on Tuesday.

Have a Great “Cyber Security Aware” Day!

John A. Kvale CFA, CFP

Founder of J.K. Financial, Inc.

A Dallas Texas based fee only

Financial Planning Total Wealth

Management firm.

jkfinancialinc

street-cents

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Fraud and Cyber Reminder – AGAIN – Where do over 95% of the intrusions come from?

Posted on April 12, 2023 by | Leave a comment

This is REALLY important for all of us… take a few to read – will try to keep it as short and direct as possible !

Since last talking about this, a 4.5 hour (went faster than you may think) meeting was attended with experts from across the country on this subject….

Great notes, a thick booklet, and subject matter for us to visit on once again…

Key Points:

VAST number (>95%) of intrusions are from email – i.e. bad click, usually while in a hurry (guard down)

Thankfully the fraud is USUALLY not extremely technical – i.e. its a simple human slip up

Cell Phone Texts are no longer safe – Bad guys have figured them out

File Sharing programs are the best

Two Factor Authentication is the bomb – use as much as possible

Email take over and impersonation is the most common

USB or Pen External Drives are full of viruses

Ideas for staying safe:

Password of 15 characters – know that is long- Use a password phrase with a symbol for easy reference

Never EVER open or click on an unfamiliar email link – if important there is another way or repeated after confirmation

Never use Pen/USB External Drives – Heck we are disabling the ability to use them in our office computers – setting in Windows

Wow – this morning our local Newspaper runs a special from the FBI – DO NOT USE PUBLIC CHARGING STATIONS – Well guess the bad guys have found them too… Avoid all public locations!

We adapt and they adapt…but that is ok, just keeping this a bit top of mind should keep us all much safer!

Have a Great “Cyber Reminder” Day!

John A. Kvale CFA, CFP

Founder of J.K. Financial, Inc.

A Dallas Texas based fee only

Financial Planning Total Wealth

Management firm.

jkfinancialinc

street-cents

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They are back … The Fraudsters that is !

Posted on January 19, 2018 by | Leave a comment

This time garners the most important financial forms of the year flowing through the system … of course we are speaking of Tax Forms! (W-2, 1099, etc …..)

Tax Time = Fraudster Timethief

This week we fielded two and 1/2 possible fraud attempts. We are giving 1/2 to a email that we are not certain was fraud … No Matter.

Keep your guards up!

Last year we had double digit numbers of fraud during this season… the thing is, we did not see fraud until much later in the season. They may be starting earlier this year.

For the record, there has been no money lost on any of our known fraud attempts… we hope this never changes…. Stay Vigilant !

Happy Friday .. Enjoy Your Weekend ! Talk to you next week…

John A. Kvale CFA, CFP

Founder of J.K. Financial, Inc.
A Dallas Texas based fee only
Financial Planning Total Wealth
Management firm.
www.jkfinancialinc.com
www.street-cents.com

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Cyber Security Updates … New Tactics Update Again !

Posted on September 28, 2016 by | 1 comment

Last week Donald “The Brain” attended a half day update on the latest Cyber Security breach tactics. cyber-reg-pic

Latest Tactics and Safety Recommendations

  • Wifi Virus- Do not use ANY free Wifi if possible – We know it is not always possible to avoid, but tether your phone if that option is available
  • Free Apps- These are becoming more plagued with virus’ – You get what you pay for- be careful
  • Smart Appliances- Virus carrying that can affect your home network

An ahaa moment occurred when Donald explained how the first item above works. People are sitting at airports and naming their personal network “ABC Free Wifi” and after an unsuspected connection occurs, all data is open along with your password and log ins.

A family meeting occurred on the second point and all unused apps were destroyed along with an agreement for a review before any new apps are downloaded. Be fearful of small, unknown apps the most.

During the seminar an example was also given of a refrigerator somehow contracting a virus and spreading it to the families home network.

Best Recommendation

The best way to attempt to avoid many of these items are to just keep it front of mind. We are not asking you to be paranoid… technology is fun and SUPER helpful with our daily lives. With all the neat connectivity, flexibility and control, abuse is certain to occur.

With a little forward thinking and caution, we can all navigate our way through these waters safely.

Have a Great “Cyber Safe” Day!

John A. Kvale CFA, CFP

Founder of J.K. Financial, Inc.
A Dallas Texas based fee only
Financial Planning Total Wealth
Management firm.
www.jkfinancialinc.com
www.street-cents.com

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Third time is charm for nasty 1 800 Virus – BEWARE

Posted on August 22, 2016 by | Leave a comment

Over the summer, while out of the office upon visiting a non-professional web site, an announcement popped up and my computer began talking to me….

“Alert… alert… you are about to get a Virus on you computer… Call 1 800 …”

Third time is a Charm

Last week we heard of a third such incident of such virus… BEWARE !!

What is interesting is in our small sample, this same virus has invaded both Windows and Apple products… A few handy steps and remindersVirus

  • Do not call…it is a fake
  • Make sure you have updated the latest updates of your platform
  • Run a virus scan after you stop the program

 

 

Modern Day Bonnie and Clyde … invasive, but not as dangerous !

Have a Great Day!

John A. Kvale CFA, CFP

Founder of J.K. Financial, Inc.
A Dallas Texas based fee only
Financial Planning Total Wealth
Management firm.
www.jkfinancialinc.com
www.street-cents.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Cybercrime – Hacking update – SHARK Week

Posted on June 27, 2016 by | Leave a comment

We warned in mid May of an increase in cyber hacking as school gets out. Unfortunately we have not been wrong on this one… actually we understated the problem.

Cyber Hacks Up

We have seen MANY MORE email hacks than normal, especially this early in the summer. Keep your guards up and do not open suspicious emails… here are some helpful reminders:

  • Complex passwords for your log in (your name is NOT a good password as my 11 year old daughter learned on her snapchat account!)
  • Mind the wifi source – tether when uncertain
  • Careful when traveling – A purchase of an RFID resistant wallet kept my most recent trip uneventful, even though THE EXACT trip the last two consecutive times resulted in credit card fraud

Shark Week Returns

A family favorite that two years ago was moved from middle of August to late June, early July … Shark Week — It’s going on now!

Since fourth of July is a popular water related venture…we think the move was to remind those getting in …. OR just a timely screening !

Have a great Monday!

John A. Kvale CFA, CFP

Founder of J.K. Financial, Inc.
A Dallas Texas based fee only
Financial Planning Total Wealth
Management firm.
www.jkfinancialinc.com
www.street-cents.com

 

 

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Summer = Increase Hacking

Posted on May 16, 2016 by | 1 comment

We topped out at 10 tax cyber hacks this year (10 people had some type of fraudulent tax related issue) and just as we all get ready for summer, we wanted to remind of a recurring theme we have seen over the last several years.

Increased Hacks during the summer

It is certainly not any of our kids, or any kids we know…of course not..BUT..

We do notice an increase in mostly non malicious cyber related issues over the summer. How does that saying go “Idle minds…..”

Keep your guards up this summer!

  • Do not open any weird looking emails, especially if they have odd links.
  • If you receive an odd mass email from someone you know, let them know they may have been hacked, it may save us all a few headaches.
  • Make your passwords strong by including a symbol.
  • Check the root web address carefully before you enter your information – if in doubt open another browser and surf to the link to see if it looks legit.
  • Take your time! Most of my miss haps have occurred while being careless and in unfamiliar web pages, such as looking for a unique sports statistic in unfamiliar web pages.

The good news is, with a little forethought we can avoid what is mostly a minor summer annoyance!

John A. Kvale CFA, CFP

Founder of J.K. Financial, Inc.
A Dallas Texas based fee only
Financial Planning Total Wealth
Management firm.
www.jkfinancialinc.com
www.street-cents.com

JK Street Cents Logo

 

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My Identity stolen a third time ??? Yep … Friday

Posted on April 24, 2015 by | Leave a comment

As a financial advisor we drink the EXACT same cool aid we have for clients   … Same investments, same conservative philosophy, long-term thinking, tax strategies, generally optimistic, but skeptical when necessary  … and well … I guess the same identity theft some have experienced lately!

On Tuesday of this week, I was notified by the IRS by mail, not just once, but two lovely envelopes, stating someone was trying to file taxes (not me) and there was a conflict. (Nothing associated with the office, all info from my home/personal address)

Wow… TWO TIMES … Does that mean two different people are trying, or just the same person twice ? I will let you know when I know! thief

Needless to say, keep your guards up!  Here , here and here are a few of our articles on this, which of course I have heeded myself!

Ahhhh, but today is a Friday and I am on the road for a short but fun trip out-of-town and back. Do not forget to spend time with those special in your life … Talk to you next week!

Get back cyber criminals!

John A. Kvale CFA, CFP

http://www.jkfinancialin.com
http://www.street-cents.com
8222 Douglas Ave # 590
Dallas, TX 75225

 

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Financial Officers BEWARE, cybercriminals are coming for you too !

Posted on August 18, 2014 by | 1 comment

Just when you thought it was safe to enter the office email waters (yaya, last week was shark week) cybercrime is headed your way. We have warned on a personal basis, here, here and here  of the trial and tribulations of cybercriminals … apparently they have been successful and are moving on to bigger fish.

Criminals Pose as Senior Executives

In this recent CFO.com article, reports of very similar email hacking into corporations that we have been warning against (links above) for individuals for some time.

  • Hacking an email account of an employee, buyer, or someone in the money receipt/payment area
  • Requesting an urgent quick need for payment of funds
  • Unable to talk in person as this time
  • New Bank Account Number for processing — WARNING WARNING WARNING

This is so close to what the criminals have been doing on an individual level it is amazing. It seems their success with individuals has emboldened them to go for bigger fish.

This from the CFO article:

“The average loss per victim is $55,000, but in some cases losses have exceeded $800,000, according to IC3 …”

YIKES … This is a much bigger take than we have been in contact with on an individual level.thief

Either as individuals or executives, let’s all be careful and try to stop this. The greater success they have, the more they will try.

Have a Great Day!

John A. Kvale CFA, CFP

http://www.jkfinancialinc.com
http://www.street-cents.com
8222 Douglas Ave # 590
Dallas, TX 75225 

 

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Cyber Crimer’s ……. Say Hello to our Little Friend……Docusign!

Posted on July 11, 2012 by | Comments Off on Cyber Crimer’s ……. Say Hello to our Little Friend……Docusign!

Recently we have commented several times as we had expected cyber crime issues heading into the summer and have not been disappointed, specifically with email hijacking fraud this summer.

We think much of this is the old saying “Idle time devil’s workshop” however it is very hard to distinguish a bored school kid from a true criminal in cyberspace.

In addition to extra precautions we have initiated from our office, such as verbal contact and confirmation of directives, we have begun using a system called Docusign. This firm runs a system that is an electronic signature and online digital signature confirmation service.

When new documents are needed for almost ANY transaction, we in most cases, moving forward will use this service.

Here is how it works:

  • Almost any document needing a signature is uploaded into the system
  • We enter specific identifying information including email (s)
  • Super strong encryption occurs and the document is sent directly to the needed recipient/client, which can be two separate emails for joint signatures
  • Specific security questions are entered by the recipient proving identity then opening the document for review and easy electronic signature
  • Upon completion the document is re-encrypted and emailed to the institution (TDA, Bank, Mortgage company…ect…)
  • We/JK Financial are then notified of the completion and download a secure copy for our records

While nothing is 100% full proof, we hope you appreciate the steps we have taken to help insure ALL of our safety and the immediate use of cutting edge technological improvements.

Have a Great Day!

JK

PS  A special thanks to those Guinea Pigger’s who have helped us test the system, you know who you are, and we much appreciate it ! (Clients, family members, and back office supporters)

214-706-4300   www.jkfinancialinc.com

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