Julia K Cole

LOUISVILLE, KY (WAVE) - McAfee, the computer security software company, has announced its annual  12 Scams of the Holidays  list for consumers to help them avoid unwrapping an online threat while surfing digital devices. Cybersecurity threats heighten during the holiday season as consumers unknowingly share personal data across their devices. The 12 scams include: You've Got Mail : Think twice before clicking links in shipping notification emails, and always verify the shipping company before giving out personal information. Deceptive Advertising : Beware of deals that are too good to be true as they could steal your personal information and ruin your holiday cheer. Chilling Charities : 'Tis the season to donate, but be wary of fake charities. Do your research and double-check the site URL. Buyer Beware : Check your credit card statements to make sure you don't have unwanted charges as a result of a point-of-sale breach. iScams : Today, smartphones act as a pho...

Recent hacks involving several high-profile social networking accounts once again highlight the potential  vulnerability of social media. The sheer volume of users and the information that gets posted on social media  sites create plenty of opportunity for an attacker to use social engineering or other methods to gain access to  the accounts of individuals and organizations. The more information you post, the more your security and  privacy are at risk.  What Precautions Should I Take on Social Networking Sites?  Below are some helpful tips regarding security and privacy while using social networking sites:   Ensure that any computer you use to connect to a social media site has proper security measures in  place. Use and maintain anti-virus software, anti-spyware software, and a firewall and keep these  applications and operating system patched and up-to-date.   Be cautious when clicking on links. If a link seems suspicious, o...