McAfee: Beware of ObamaCare Phishing Scams
By Matt Egan/ Published October 01, 2013/ FOXBusiness (cyber security, cyber crime, cyber attack, hackers) REUTERS
"Security firm McAfee warned Tuesday that hackers are likely to take advantage of the rollout of ObamaCare exchanges this week by launching phishing attacks aimed at stealing personal information.
Phishing attacks are designed to dupe users into revealing credit-card numbers or other confidential data by delivering phony links or attachments in emails and messages on social media sites.
“I can say with a high degree of certainty that they will come. We live in a world where people look at compelling events and look to do something malicious. This is just the nature of the beast,” said Gary Davis, vice president of global consumer marketing at McAfee, which is owned by Intel (INTC).
Like natural disasters or other major events, consumers searching for information about the new health-care exchanges are likely to be willing to disclose personal information in the coming weeks.
Given the confusion over the rollout, consumers may also be more easily fooled by deceptive messages claiming to be from the government or health-care providers.
SUMMARY: ObamaCare Facts, Figures to Know as Exchanges Launch ObamaCare Rollout: “Identity is a currency like anything else. The more information you have on a consumer, the more you make,” said Davis.
The threat of phishing attacks comes in addition to glitches that have mired the insurance exchanges, which went live on Tuesday. [The federally-run site for ObamaCare, or the Affordable Healthcare Act, posted error messages for at least 25 of 36 eligible states due to heavy traffic, according to Reuters.
Maryland delayed the opening of its state-run health-care exchange by four hours due to connectivity problems. “Identity is a currency like anything else. The more information you have on a consumer, the more you make." -Gary Davis of McAfee
"Like many forms of cyber attacks, phishing scams have become more sophisticated in recent years, highlighted by a number of high-profile schemes that hit media companies like The Associated Press earlier this year.
“They’re getting very good at what they do,” said Davis. “It’s important that consumers take a cautionary note before they do anything. Step back and explore a way to verify this is legitimate and the source.”
McAfee warned it is seeing an increasing number of phishing schemes that try to trick users on social media sites like Facebook (FB), LinkedIn (LNKD) and Twitter, which is set to go public later this year.
The security firm lists a number of specific ways users can defend against phishing attacks. Install patches on your operating system as soon as possible to prevent hackers from exploiting known security vulnerabilities. Download the most up-to-date version of your Internet browser to deploy the latest security measures. Double check the domain name of a website to ensure it’s legitimate. Look for “https:” in the URL to confirm SSL encryption is being used.
Don’t click on links in unsolicited email and ignore messages that call users to action by saying “your account will be terminated.” Rely on the phone instead and be sure to use numbers verified outside of the e-mail. Be extra vigilant about downloading software and e-mail attachments from the Internet like free screen savers that may contain keyloggers or screen scrapers that can steal information."
Follow Matt Egan on Twitter @MattMEgan5 http://www.foxbusiness.com/industries/2013/10/01/mcafee-warns-phishing-scams-tied-to-obamacare-launch/
Note: Consider yourself forewarned; why not act on it by forwarding the link to your family members and close friends.
Originally posted by Grampy BobbyThe software situation regarding the affordable care act needs some major help. The state run sites seem to be working OK, but the Federal site is pretty useless.
[b]McAfee: Beware of ObamaCare Phishing Scams
By Matt Egan/ Published October 01, 2013/ FOXBusiness (cyber security, cyber crime, cyber attack, hackers) REUTERS
"Security firm McAfee warned Tuesday that hackers are likely to take advantage of the rollout of ObamaCare exchanges this week by launching phishing attacks aimed at stealing personal ...[text shortened]... f forewarned; why not act on it by forwarding the link to your family members and close friends.[/b]
Originally posted by Sahuaro"“I can say with a high degree of certainty that they will come. We live in a world where people look at compelling events and look to do something malicious. This is just the nature of the beast,” said Gary Davis, vice president of global consumer marketing at McAfee, which is owned by Intel (INTC).".... Intel Corp.
Is there a source for this besides FOX?
I regularly get called by people with an indian accent claiming to be from Microsoft and wanting to help me out with something on my computer. Its different people each time but always an indian accent. Everyone I have asked has had similar calls. They must be making several calls a month to nearly every land line in South Africa, and possibly other countries too. The last time one called I asked where he was calling from and he gave me a US number. Has anyone here had similar calls? Is this a world wide scam?
Originally posted by twhiteheadget Linux!
I regularly get called by people with an indian accent claiming to be from Microsoft and wanting to help me out with something on my computer. Its different people each time but always an indian accent. Everyone I have asked has had similar calls. They must be making several calls a month to nearly every land line in South Africa, and possibly other count ...[text shortened]... g from and he gave me a US number. Has anyone here had similar calls? Is this a world wide scam?
Originally posted by KazetNagorra"Because you don't want to annoy them by sending them spam?" (KazetNagorra)
I'm confused as to what you want to discuss here? Shouldn't one always be wary of phishing attacks and malware when submitting personal information over the internet?
My intent upon coming across this on Facebook was to share it here with those who may be as knowledgeable about internet security as my son, Eric, who also received an email with the link in the hope of eliciting insightful comment. Okay?
Originally posted by twhiteheadDon't give these people who pose as Microsoft Consultants a second of your time. Immediately abort the phone call and delete any screen alert notification of problems and their readiness to solve them. Happened once. Being naïve it took 20 minutes and three requests that I orally confirm 48 character transaction codes (while they were attempting to gain access to my online banking records) until the realization dawned that they were criminals. A new Pin was issued as a precaution.
I regularly get called by people with an indian accent claiming to be from Microsoft and wanting to help me out with something on my computer. Its different people each time but always an indian accent. Everyone I have asked has had similar calls. They must be making several calls a month to nearly every land line in South Africa, and possibly other count ...[text shortened]... g from and he gave me a US number. Has anyone here had similar calls? Is this a world wide scam?
Originally posted by twhiteheadLinux is much harder to infiltrate, you need to know the root password and when the pseudo IT guys call from Indian Microsoft, tell them you use Linux, panic over, problem solved. I don't even have an anti virus hogging my systems resources. As for your kids games, it depends, WINE is a linux program in which you can run windows programs, for example I run chessbase under it.
Can my sons computer games run on linux? My servers run on linux, but not my home PCs.
Of course, if everyone gets linux, then the scammers will switch to linux too.
Originally posted by Grampy BobbyBut I Obamacare is the biggest scam of them all. 😛
[b]McAfee: Beware of ObamaCare Phishing Scams
By Matt Egan/ Published October 01, 2013/ FOXBusiness (cyber security, cyber crime, cyber attack, hackers) REUTERS
"Security firm McAfee warned Tuesday that hackers are likely to take advantage of the rollout of ObamaCare exchanges this week by launching phishing attacks aimed at stealing personal ...[text shortened]... f forewarned; why not act on it by forwarding the link to your family members and close friends.[/b]