Debbie's Blog

Posts Tagged ‘Phishing’

TWITTER SAFETY & DM ALERTS:

There are many DM’s to watch for. The best rule of thumb is never to click on a link in a DM unless you have verified your friend really sent it. Hackers and phishing scams use DM links to gain access to your Twitter account and send the message on to more victims.  Scroll down to the RED letting for the latest known DM scams to watch for.

Those DM links you’re getting often are  not from your friend, they’re from a hacker who compromised your friend’s twitter account.

Reply to the person or Tweet them and ask them if they sent it.  Chances are they didn’t.  Hackers get access to your Tweeter via those links and the Apps you are connected to.  They are short URLs disguising hacker pages that either immediately steal your info or give you a fake Twitter log in page.

NEVER enter your password after clicking on a link in a DM.  That’s a good clue it’s a Phishing Scam. The hacker/App sends DM’s as you, tricking your followers into clicking and becoming victims as well.

If you’ve been a victim, quickly go to Account > Connections > Revoke all Apps.  Then change your Password.

IF you are locked out of your Twitter account, go to: http://help.twitter.com/forums/10713/entries/31796

If you receive a DM from a victim, let them know they’ve been hacked. Send this Tweet to them: “U hav been hacked. Go 2 Settings>Connections>RevokeAllApps. Then Chg Pwd.”

Do not ever click on links in Direct Messages at Twitter that say things like: “hey there, look”  “is this you?”  “i found y0u”  “lol. look at this funny pic” etc. with a strange “short URL”.

11/15 new Twitter DM to watch for: If you get a DM that says something about Ringtones like “I got some cool ringtones from here” with a link like: http:// ringy4unow . info/ or http:// cellentertainyou . info/ <- Don’t click the links, this is another DM phishing scam that will steal your Twitter password via that link, then send the same (varying) DM to all your followers, who may become victims as well.  See below.

11/9: Twitter DM to watch for! Don’t click DM’s like this: “This has u in it” “This thing has ur pic” (or other text) with a link similar to this:  http:// xsgay .co. uk / 64xxb8 don’t click it!

11/6: If you get a DM that says “LoL. Nice. look“, “OMG.. U Gotta see this!” “Look at this I’m still laughing“or ANY other text with a link like this:  http :// twitter . photoalbum . (xb3hgx) . com/ don’t click it!

What makes a secure password? How secure are your Passwords? Here are a few tips:

1. When choosing a password, always use alpha-numeric passwords, at least like this: haarley38zoo but I suggest you also add a twist – create an alpha-numeric version of a word like: C!ta#t10n or R@v10Li -that will help you remember them. Never choose a word from the dictionary because hacking programs pick those up first. Using an alpha-numeric password will increase your security greatly.

2. Never use the same password on multiple sites, and obviously never use the word password for your password, or something that is public information like your dog’s name.  It’s OK to use one of those “password saver” programs, but those are only good on that PC, so if it crashes, you’ll be stuck. I wouldn’t trust them, instead trust yourself to keep track of them, and keep the notebook safely hidden.

3. Don’t put your actual zip code in online registration forms, instead put a nearby one, or the zip code to your favorite city. Keep as much information about yourself as you can on a ‘need to know’ basis. The public doesn’t need to know if you’re a single gal living on 3rd Street, work at Applebee’s, and walk home alone at night. Nope, don’t publish private details of your life you wouldn’t want a peeping tom to read. Your zip code is information needed to reset your password on alot of websites, so try not to share that information publicly and try not to use your correct zip code in forms – this simply adds another layer of protection from hackers.

4. When typing your answer to a ’secret question’ never actually answer the question.  Put something totally unrelated as the answer. Example: If the question is “Who was your childhood sweetheart?” your answer should be unrelated like: “Maybelline”. This helps prevent anyone from guessing your answers and info and gaining access to your accounts. Be sure to write your secret question and answers down, as shown in #5.

5. Keep a notebook w/ all your answers, passwords and info in them.  When you change/update the records online, draw a line thru the old and add the new.  It is very simple. This has worked for me for 11 years now.

6. Never ever store your passwords on your computer in a file, or even near your computer.  You’d never find mine Something I also do often: whenever I fill out a form to join a site or sign up for something, right before I click that Submit button, I print the page, then fill in the password part, and staple it into my notebook.

I hope this helps you create a safe secure password and keep your accounts safe.  Please send this to a friend, and remember to change your passwords regularly

Related articles

• WARNING: Twitter Money Scams Spreading Through DMs (mashable.com)
• Twitter Warns of New Phishing Scam (pindebit.blogspot.com)
• Your Password, ’123456,’ Sucks (gawker.com)
• Twitter and Facebook Scams (robbiz1978.blogspot.com)

Any questions??

If you have any tips for creating a secure password, please add it in a Comment, thanks!

Tweet This Post

What makes a secure, hacker proof password? How secure are your Passwords? Here are a few tips: (Twitter info below)

1. When choosing a password, always use alpha-numeric passwords, at least like this: haarley38zoo but I suggest you also add a twist – create an alpha-numeric version of a word like: C!ta#t10n or R@v10Li -that will help you remember them. Never choose a word from the dictionary because hacking programs pick those up first. Using an alpha-numeric password will increase your security greatly.

2. Never use the same password on multiple sites, and obviously never use the word password for your password, or something that is public information like your dog’s name.  It’s OK to use one of those “password saver” programs, but those are only good on that PC, so if it crashes, you’ll be stuck. I wouldn’t trust them, instead trust yourself to keep track of them, and keep the notebook safely hidden.

3. Don’t put your actual zip code in online registration forms, instead put a nearby one, or the zip code to your favorite city. Keep as much information about yourself as you can on a ‘need to know’ basis. The public doesn’t need to know if you’re a single gal living on 3rd Street, work at Applebee’s, and walk home alone at night. Nope, don’t publish private details of your life you wouldn’t want a peeping tom to read. Your zip code is information needed to reset your password on alot of websites, so try not to share that information publicly and try not to use your correct zip code in forms – this simply adds another layer of protection from hackers.

4. When typing your answer to a ‘secret question’ never actually answer the question.  Put something totally unrelated as the answer. Example: If the question is “Who was your childhood sweetheart?” your answer should be unrelated like: “Maybelline”. This helps prevent anyone from guessing your answers and info and gaining access to your accounts. Be sure to write your secret question and answers down, as shown in #5.

5. Keep a notebook w/ all your answers, passwords and info in them.  When you change/update the records online, draw a line thru the old and add the new.  It is very simple. This has worked for me for 11 years now.

6. Never ever store your passwords on your computer in a file, or even near your computer.  You’d never find mine   Something I also do often: whenever I fill out a form to join a site or sign up for something, right before I click that Submit button, I print the page, then fill in the password part, and staple it into my notebook.

I hope this helps you create a safe secure password.  Please send this to a friend, and remember to change your passwords regularly

LASTLY: None of the above tips will help if you don’t remember this:

Do not ever click on links in DM’s at Twitter that say things like: “hey there, look”  “is this you?”  “i found y0u”  “lol. look at this funny pic” etc. with a strange “short URL”.  Those are  not from your friend, they’re from the hacker who compromised your friend’s twitter account.

Reply to the person or Tweet them and ask them if they sent it.  Chances are they didn’t.  Hackers get access to your Tweeter via those links and the Apps you are connected to.  They are short URLs disguising hacker pages that either immediately steal your info or give you a fake Twitter log in page.

NEVER enter your password after clicking on a link in a DM.  That’s a good clue it’s a Phishing Scam.

If you’ve been a victim, quickly go to Account > Connections > Revoke all Apps.  Then change your Password.

The hacker/App sends those messages as you, tricking your followers into clicking and becoming victims as well.

If you receive a DM from a victim, let them know they’ve been hacked. Send this Tweet to them: “U hav been hacked. Go 2 Settings>Connections>RevokeAllApps. Then Chg Pwd.”

Any questions??

If you have any tips for creating a secure password, please add it in a Comment, thanks!

Tweet This Post