Cyber Awareness
Your computer has been locked by Ransomware
The Tennessee Office of Homeland Security is aware of the increased activity concerning a DHS themed Ransomware malware infection. The Ransomware falsely claims to be from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the National Cyber Security Division or FBI. Victims are advised that the use of their computer has been suspended and they must pay a fine to unblock it.
The Tennessee Office of Homeland Security has advised callers not to pay the perpetrators and to report the incident to FBI at http://www.IC3.gov.
One iteration of this compromise takes a webcam (if available) photo or video of the “victim” and posts it in a pop-up to add the legitimacy.
Below are sites that can aid in protecting your computer and yourself.
US-CERT webpage:
http://www.us-cert.gov/ncas/current-activity/2013/03/21/Recent-Reports-DHS-themed-Ransomware
Symantec’s webpage:
http://www.symantec.com/security_response/writeup.jsp?docid=2009-041513-1400-99&tabid=3
Bleeping Computer® LLC (an International open source tool):
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/
Social Engineering has become a primary means used by attackers to obtain personal information from unsuspecting victims. Their strategy involves exploiting human curiosity and a desire for reward by manipulating unsuspecting users into performing actions they wouldn’t normally take.
For more information on phishing and social engineering, please check out these sites:
Every day Tennesseans receive offers that just sound too good to be true. In the past, these offers came through the mail or by telephone. Now the con artists and swindlers have found a new avenue to pitch their frauds - the Internet.
An interesting point about fraud is that it is a crime in which you decide on whether to participate. The following websites were developed to arm you with information so you don't fall victim to these Internet scams. Education, good judgment, and a healthy dose of skepticism are the best defenses against becoming a victim. Remember, if it looks too good to be true, it probably is!
Please visit,
- Looks Too Good To Be True is a featured partner of the FBI at https://www.fbi.gov/scams-and-safety.
- Updated information on scams and ransonware.
- Report scams and suspicious communications to the Federal Trade Commission.
- Staying Safe from Tax Scams
October is Cyber Security Awareness Month.
Since its inception a decade ago under leadership from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the National Cyber Security Alliance, NCSAM has grown exponentially, reaching consumers, small and medium-size businesses, corporations, educational institutions, and young people across the nation.
Our Shared Responsibility: We lead Internet-connected, digital lives. From our desks and homes to on the go, we work, learn and play online. Even when we are not directly connected to the Internet, our critical infrastructure—the vast, worldwide connection of computers, data, and websites supporting our everyday lives through financial transactions, transportation systems, healthcare records, emergency response systems, personal communications, and more— impacts everyone.
Cybersecurity is the mechanism that maximizes our ability to grow commerce, communications, community and content in a connected world.
The Internet is a shared resource and securing it is Our Shared Responsibility. Our Shared Responsibility is once again our theme for National Cyber Security Awareness Month 2013.
No individual, business, or government entity is solely responsible for securing the Internet. Everyone has a role in securing their part of cyberspace, including the devices and networks they use. Individual actions have a collective impact and when we use the Internet safely, we make it more secure for everyone. If each of us does our part—implementing stronger security practices, raising community awareness, educating young people, training employees—together we will be a digital society safer and more resistant from attacks and more resilient if one occurs.
STOP. THINK. CONNECT. Cybersecurity begins with a simple message everyone using the Internet can adopt: STOP. THINK. CONNECT. Take security and safety precautions, understand the consequences of your actions and behaviors online and enjoy the benefits of the Internet.
See more at: https://stopthinkconnect.org/tips-advice/general-tips-and-advice
10 Simple Things Every Computer User Should Know How to Do
No matter how tech savvy you are, there are certain things every one of us has to deal with when using a computer—and we don't always deal with them in the most efficient ways. Here are 10 things that everyone can learn to keep their computer fast, safe, and easy to use.
For full details on how to accomplish these tasks, please read the PDF.