#data breaches

[idroolinmysleep]

Fortunately for affected customers though, it appears that only personal information was stolen during this attack and financial information wasn’t accessed.

Oh, nice. Apparently data breaches have become so commonplace that “only personal information was stolen” is regarded as A-OK now. 🙄

[adj-thoughts]

The darkside of the Social Media platforms

The Attention Economy

Attention is the most valuable currency in today's world.

Companies that can capture attention can make a lot of money.

Social media platforms are designed to be addictive and keep you engaged for as long as possible.

How Social Media Tracks Your Data

Social media platforms collect a lot of data about you, including your likes, dislikes, and browsing habits.

This data is used to target you with advertising.

Social media platforms may also listen to your conversations through your device's microphone (although this is not confirmed).

The Impact of Social Media on Society

Social media can create echo chambers and filter bubbles, where you are only exposed to information that confirms your existing beliefs.

This can lead to polarization and a decline in civil discourse.

Social media can also be addictive and lead to decreased productivity and attention spans.

What You Can Do

Be mindful of how much time you spend on social media.

Be critical of the information you see on social media.

Consider adjusting your privacy settings on social media platforms.

There are extensions and apps available to help you limit your social media usage.

Note-To check if your email address has been compromised, you can visit the website Have I Been Pwned: https://haveibeenpwned.com/

[century-solutions-group]

What is Zero Trust Architecture?

Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA) is a security model that operates on the principle "never trust, always verify." Unlike traditional security models that assume everything within a network is trustworthy, ZTA requires verification for every access request, regardless of whether it originates inside or outside the network.  

Why is it Important?  

In today's digital landscape, cyber threats are becoming increasingly sophisticated. Zero Trust Architecture helps mitigate risks by continuously verifying every user and device, ensuring that only authorized entities can access sensitive information.  

How Does It Protect You?  

1. Enhanced Security: By requiring strict verification, ZTA minimizes the risk of unauthorized access and data breaches.  

2. Reduced Attack Surface: Limiting access to only what is necessary decreases potential entry points for attackers.  

3. Real-time Monitoring: Continuous monitoring and verification help detect and respond to threats promptly.  

Adopt Zero Trust Architecture with Century Solutions Group to fortify your cybersecurity defenses and protect your business from evolving cyber threats! #ZeroTrust #CyberSecurity #CenturySolutionsGroup 

Learn More:https://centurygroup.net/cloud-computing/cyber-security/

[mudwerks]

(via Lastpass: Hackers stole customer vault data in cloud storage breach)

if I hadn’t already removed this from my systems - I would be doing it now

[infographicjournal]

The World’s Largest Data Breaches

Having trouble reading infographic here?

Check out the full size infographic at - https://infographicjournal.com/the-worlds-largest-data-breaches/

[phoenixyfriend]

Reminder to set up 2FA

Change your Tumblr password now.

Humongous data breach just happened, with loads upon loads of sites being affected. Tumblr's among those. Also on the list is Wattpad for you fanfic people out there- among many, many other places.

There's a searchable list at the bottom of the article. Highly recommend scrolling or searching through, seeing what places you may be on that have been affected, and securing all your accounts. This thing's kind of big.

If you know people on any of the sites affected, let them know about this too, and spread the article around.

[jcmarchi]

Unmasking Bias in Artificial Intelligence: Challenges and Solutions

New Post has been published on https://thedigitalinsider.com/unmasking-bias-in-artificial-intelligence-challenges-and-solutions/

Unmasking Bias in Artificial Intelligence: Challenges and Solutions

The recent advancement of generative AI has seen an accompanying boom in enterprise applications across industries, including finance, healthcare, transportation. The development of this technology will also lead to other emerging tech such as cybersecurity defense technologies, quantum computing advancements, and breakthrough wireless communication techniques. However, this explosion of next generation technologies comes with its own set of challenges.

For example, the adoption of AI may allow for more sophisticated cyberattacks, memory and storage bottlenecks due to the increase of compute power and ethical concerns of biases presented by AI models. The good news is that NTT Research has proposed a way to overcome bias in deep neural networks (DNNs), a type of artificial intelligence.

This research is a significant breakthrough given that non-biased AI models will contribute to hiring, the criminal justice system and healthcare when they are not influenced by characteristics such as race, gender. In the future discrimination has the potential to be eliminated by using these kinds of automated systems, thus improving industry wide DE&I business initiatives. Lastly AI models with non-biased results will improve productivity and reduce the time it takes to complete these tasks. However, few businesses have been forced to halt their AI generated programs due to the technology’s biased solutions.

For example, Amazon discontinued the use of a hiring algorithm when it discovered that the algorithm exhibited a preference for applicants who used words like “executed” or “captured” more frequently, which were more prevalent in men’s resumes. Another glaring example of bias comes from Joy Buolamwini, one of the most influential people in AI in 2023 according to TIME, in collaboration with Timnit Gebru at MIT, revealed that facial analysis technologies demonstrated higher error rates when assessing minorities, particularly minority women, potentially due to inadequately representative training data.

Recently DNNs have become pervasive in science, engineering and business, and even in popular applications, but they sometimes rely on spurious attributes that may convey bias. According to an MIT study over the past few years, scientists have developed deep neural networks capable of analyzing vast quantities of inputs, including sounds and images. These networks can identify shared characteristics, enabling them to classify target words or objects. As of now, these models stand at the forefront of the field as the primary models for replicating biological sensory systems.

NTT Research Senior Scientist and Associate at the Harvard University Center for Brain Science Hidenori Tanaka and three other scientists proposed overcoming the limitations of naive fine-tuning, the status quo method of reducing a DNN’s errors or “loss,” with a new algorithm that reduces a model’s reliance on bias-prone attributes.

They studied neural network’s loss landscapes through the lens of mode connectivity, the observation that minimizers of neural networks retrieved via training on a dataset are connected via simple paths of low loss. Specifically, they asked the following question: are minimizers that rely on different mechanisms for making their predictions connected via simple paths of low loss?

They discovered that Naïve fine-tuning is unable to fundamentally alter the decision-making mechanism of a model as it requires moving to a different valley on the loss landscape. Instead, you need to drive the model over the barriers separating the “sinks” or “valleys” of low loss. The authors call this corrective algorithm Connectivity-Based Fine-Tuning (CBFT).

Prior to this development, a DNN, which classifies images such as a fish (an illustration used in this study) used both the object shape and background as input parameters for prediction. Its loss-minimizing paths would therefore operate in mechanistically dissimilar modes: one relying on the legitimate attribute of shape, and the other on the spurious attribute of background color. As such, these modes would lack linear connectivity, or a simple path of low loss.

The research team understands mechanistic lens on mode connectivity by considering two sets of parameters that minimize loss using backgrounds and object shapes as the input attributes for prediction, respectively. And then asked themselves, are such mechanistically dissimilar minimizers connected via paths of low loss in the landscape? Does the dissimilarity of these mechanisms affect the simplicity of their connectivity paths? Can we exploit this connectivity to switch between minimizers that use our desired mechanisms?

In other words, deep neural networks, depending on what they’ve picked up during training on a particular dataset, can behave very differently when you test them on another dataset. The team’s proposal boiled down to the concept of shared similarities. It builds upon the previous idea of mode connectivity but with a twist – it considers how similar mechanisms work. Their research led to the following eye-opening discoveries:

minimizers that have different mechanisms can be connected in a rather complex, non-linear way

when two minimizers are linearly connected, it’s closely tied to how similar their models are in terms of mechanisms

simple fine-tuning might not be enough to get rid of unwanted features picked up during earlier training

if you find regions that are linearly disconnected in the landscape, you can make efficient changes to a model’s inner workings.

While this research is a major step in harnessing the full potential of AI, the ethical concerns around AI may still be an upward battle. Technologists and researchers are working to combat other ethical weaknesses in AI and other large language models such as privacy, autonomy, liability.

AI can be used to collect and process vast amounts of personal data. The unauthorized or unethical use of this data can compromise individuals’ privacy, leading to concerns about surveillance, data breaches and identity theft. AI can also pose a threat when it comes to the liability of their autonomous applications such as self-driving cars. Establishing legal frameworks and ethical standards for accountability and liability will be essential in the coming years.

In conclusion, the rapid growth of generative AI technology holds promise for various industries, from finance and healthcare to transportation. Despite these promising developments, the ethical concerns surrounding AI remain substantial. As we navigate this transformative era of AI, it is vital for technologists, researchers and policymakers to work together to establish legal frameworks and ethical standards that will ensure the responsible and beneficial use of AI technology in the years to come. Scientists at NTT Research and the University of Michigan are one step ahead of the game with their proposal for an algorithm that could potentially eliminate biases in AI.

[nationallawreview]

How to Develop an Effective Cybersecurity Incident Response Plan for Businesses

Data breaches have become more frequent and costly than ever. In 2021, the average data breach cost companies more than $4 million. Threat actors are increasingly likely to be sophisticated. The emergence of ransomware-as-a-service (RaaS) has allowed even unsophisticated, inexperienced parties to execute harmful, disruptive, costly attacks. In this atmosphere, what can businesses do to best…

[apcseo]

Digital Disruption: How Ad Agencies are Navigating the Online Landscape

In an era marked by rapid technological advancements, the concept of digital disruption has emerged as a transformative force, reshaping industries and landscapes globally. This phenomenon refers to the profound impact that digital technologies have on traditional business models, challenging established norms and fostering innovation. As we delve into the intricate dynamics of digital disruption, we explore its implications on the online landscape and the pivotal role played by ad agencies, particularly in the context of India.

Digital disruption encompasses a spectrum of technological innovations, from artificial intelligence and big data to social media and e-commerce. These advancements often lead to the creation of new markets, the demise of outdated business models, and a fundamental shift in consumer behavior. The online landscape, in particular, bears witness to these seismic changes, as businesses strive to stay relevant in an environment that is constantly evolving.

Digital Disruption in online landscape

Digital disruption has reshaped the advertising landscape, challenging traditional models and pushing agencies to adapt to the online realm. This shift comes with various types of disruptions, each presenting unique challenges and opportunities.

1. Virality: Riding the Wave or Wiping Out?

The rise of social media has given campaigns the potential to go viral, reaching unprecedented audiences. Ad agencies must navigate the fine line between creating shareable content and the risks associated with unpredictable virality. While viral campaigns can boost brand visibility, they also require careful management to avoid unintended consequences.

2. Data Breach: Protecting Trust in the Digital Age

As agencies increasingly rely on data for targeted campaigns, the threat of data breaches looms large. Maintaining client and consumer trust is paramount. Agencies must invest in robust cybersecurity measures, ensuring the protection of sensitive information. A breach not only jeopardizes data but can irreparably damage an agency's reputation.

3. Polarization: Navigating the Diverse Digital Landscape

The online space often amplifies societal divisions, posing a challenge for ad agencies aiming to appeal to diverse audiences. Navigating polarized opinions requires a delicate balance in messaging to avoid alienating portions of the audience. Agencies need strategies that resonate across various demographics while staying true to brand values.

4. Information Overload: Cutting Through the Noise

In the digital era, consumers are bombarded with information, leading to attention scarcity. Ad agencies must craft campaigns that cut through the noise, capturing attention and delivering a clear message. Creativity, concise storytelling, and understanding the platforms where the target audience resides are essential in overcoming the challenge of information overload.

5. Crisis Situation: Turning Challenges into Opportunities

Digital disruptions can quickly escalate into full-blown crises. Whether it's negative social media sentiment, a PR disaster, or a viral campaign gone awry, ad agencies must be equipped to handle crises promptly and effectively. Having a crisis management plan, transparency, and a quick response are crucial in mitigating damage and preserving reputation.

6. Lack of Authenticity: Building Genuine Connections

In a digital landscape filled with curated content, authenticity stands out. Ad agencies face the challenge of creating campaigns that resonate on a personal level. Authenticity builds trust, and consumers are more likely to engage with brands that genuinely reflect values. Crafting campaigns with sincerity, transparency, and relatability is key to overcoming the perception of inauthenticity.

Navigating the Landscape: Strategies for Success

1. Adaptability and Innovation: Ad agencies must embrace change and constantly innovate to stay ahead in the rapidly evolving digital landscape.

2. Investment in Cybersecurity: To address the threat of data breaches, agencies need robust cybersecurity measures, employee training, and a proactive approach to data protection.

3. Diversity and Inclusion: To navigate polarization, agencies should prioritize diversity and inclusion in their teams, ensuring a broad perspective in campaign creation.

4. Audience-Centric Approach: Overcoming information overload requires a deep understanding of the target audience. Agencies should tailor campaigns to specific platforms and consumer behaviors.

5. Crisis Management Preparedness: Having a well-defined crisis management plan, coupled with transparency and quick responses, can turn crises into opportunities for rebuilding trust.

6. Authentic Storytelling: Crafting authentic narratives that resonate with consumers is vital. Ad agencies should focus on building genuine connections through relatable content.

For ad agencies in Delhi, navigating this dynamic digital landscape requires agility, adaptability, and a keen understanding of emerging trends. The traditional advertising playbook has been rewritten, with digital platforms becoming the new battleground for brands vying for consumer attention. Adapting to this shift, ad agencies are leveraging data-driven insights to tailor marketing strategies that resonate with online audiences.

One notable aspect of digital disruption is the democratization of advertising. The rise of social media platforms and online marketplaces has provided businesses, regardless of size, with the opportunity to connect directly with their target audience. Ad agencies in India are capitalizing on this trend by crafting campaigns that engage users on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, fostering a more personalized and interactive brand-consumer relationship.

The advent of programmatic advertising is another facet of digital disruption that has revolutionized the ad industry. This automated, data-driven approach to buying and placing ads allows agencies to optimize campaigns in real-time, ensuring maximum impact and efficiency. Ad agencies in India are increasingly embracing programmatic advertising to enhance their clients' reach and engagement in the crowded online space.

However, with great opportunities come significant challenges. Ad agencies grapple with the need to stay abreast of the latest technological trends, while also addressing concerns related to data privacy and ad fraud. As the online landscape evolves, agencies must strike a delicate balance between innovation and ethical considerations to build trust with both clients and consumers.

In the Indian context, where digital adoption is rapidly increasing, ad agencies play a crucial role in bridging the gap between traditional and digital advertising. They act as catalysts for businesses looking to make a seamless transition into the online realm, ensuring that marketing strategies align with the preferences and behaviors of the diverse Indian audience.

In conclusion, digital disruption is a force that cannot be ignored, and ad agencies in India are at the forefront of navigating this transformative wave. By embracing innovative technologies, adapting to shifting consumer behaviors, and fostering a culture of continuous learning, these agencies are not just surviving but thriving in the fast-paced world of digital advertising. As the online landscape continues to evolve, the role of ad agencies remains pivotal in helping businesses not only stay afloat but also stand out in the digital sea of opportunities.

This post was originally published on: Apppl Combine

[techdriveplay]

How to Manage Your Digital Footprint

In today’s interconnected world, our online presence is more significant than ever. Every click, share, and post contributes to our digital footprint, shaping how we are perceived both personally and professionally. This comprehensive guide on how to manage your digital footprint aims to equip you with the knowledge and tools necessary to take control of your online identity, ensuring it reflects…

[beatricelitherland01]

Looking for the latest cyber security news? Stay informed with up-to-date reports and analyses from industry experts. From data breaches to new security protocols, they cover all aspects of cybersecurity to help you protect your digital assets.

[gazetteweekly]

Digitalisation: A Double-Edged Sword for Consumers and Financial Systems, Says RBI Report

In its Report on Currency and Finance (RCF) for 2023–24, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) highlighted the transformative yet challenging impacts of digitalisation on consumer behavior and financial systems. Released on Monday, the report underscores how the convenience and accessibility brought by digitalisation can also lead to impulsive spending, herd behavior, and heightened risks of data breaches.

Benefits and Risks of Digitalisation

Digitalisation undoubtedly enhances the ease with which consumers can access financial services. However, it also introduces new risks. The RBI report points out that the rapid spread of financial trends and choices through digital platforms can influence consumers to follow the crowd, leading to impulsive spending and herd behavior. This is particularly evident during market frenzies, where mass buying or selling of stocks can trigger similar actions from other consumers.

Moreover, the interconnected nature of the digital financial system can complicate financial stability. For instance, widespread withdrawal of deposits due to herd behavior could lead to bank runs or failures.

Data Breaches: A Growing Concern

The report also highlights the growing threat of data breaches. In 2023, the average cost of a data breach in India was $2.18 million, marking a 28% increase since 2020. Common attacks include phishing and the use of stolen or compromised credentials. These breaches pose significant risks to both consumers and financial institutions.

Implications for Monetary Policy

Digitalisation impacts inflation, output dynamics, and the transmission of monetary policy in various ways. The report suggests that if digitalisation shifts credit supply from regulated banks to less-regulated non-banks, it could dampen the effectiveness of monetary policy. As such, central banks must integrate digitalisation considerations into their models to ensure effective monetary policy and financial stability.

Proactive Measures and International Collaboration

The RBI has been proactive in leveraging the benefits of digitalisation while mitigating associated risks. Digitalisation holds the potential to boost India’s external trade in goods and services, particularly in modern services exports. It can also reduce the cost of international remittances, benefiting recipients through higher incomes or savings.

In a significant step towards enhancing cross-border payments, the RBI joined Project Nexus, aiming to interlink domestic Fast Payments Systems (FPS) across several countries, including Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand. This follows the integration of India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) with Singapore’s PayNow, facilitating faster and more affordable remittances between the two nations. Similarly, an MoU with the Central Bank of UAE aims to link India’s UPI with UAE’s Instant Payment Platform (IPP).

The Rise of UPI

The report highlights the explosive growth of UPI, which has seen a tenfold increase in volume over the past four years. From 12.5 billion transactions in 2019–20 to 131 billion in 2023–24, UPI now accounts for 80% of all digital payment volumes in India. As of June 2024, UPI is recording nearly 14 billion transactions monthly, driven by 424 million unique users.

Future Outlook

Cross-border digital trade policies will be crucial in leveraging new opportunities and ensuring data security and cybersecurity. The internationalisation of the rupee is also progressing, supported by a comprehensive policy approach.

In summary, while digitalisation brings significant benefits, it also poses new challenges. The RBI’s report emphasizes the need for a balanced approach to harness its advantages while managing the associated risks to consumer behavior, financial stability, and data security.

[navyagupta01]

Data Breaches and Social Media: yugg.cloud

Learn about the risks of data breaches on social media platforms. Discover how your personal information may be vulnerable and steps you can take to protect yourself. Stay informed about privacy settings and best practices to safeguard your data online.

[century-solutions-group]

Social Engineering Awareness

B2B Alert: Social Engineering Awareness is Key!  

In the business world, scams and cyber threats are on the rise. Social engineering exploits human psychology to gain access to sensitive information. 

Why Awareness Matters: 

-Prevents Data Breaches: Understanding tactics like phishing and pretexting helps protect your data. 

-Enhances Security Protocols: Educated employees are your first line of defense. 

-Reduces Risk: Awareness minimizes the likelihood of falling victim to sophisticated scams. 

Ensure your team is trained to recognize and respond to social engineering threats. Partner with Century Solutions Group for comprehensive cybersecurity training and support. #CyberSecurity #SocialEngineering #CenturySolutionsGroup #B2B #StaySecure – https://centurygroup.net/cloud-computing/cyber-security/ 

[abasilence-ministries]

DATA BREACHES: Are They A Sign?

This is not just with the cellphone company. Just last week I was at my hospital to get an ultrasound and a MRI done and the hospital ascension sacred heart had experienced a data breach that they are still reeling from. It caused them to have to revert back to paper which is the original way they kept records Understand what you are seeing in all of these breaches: We use the computers for a…