☝️ TOP STORY

Scammers are hiring; ID theft victims will get less protection in 2025

🤷‍♀️ What now?: Yes, people are still shopping even after the holidays. I literally just received a link asking for my opinion about an item that is being considered for purchase. Staying vigilant at all times might be the most difficult easiest thing to do.

📰 Headline Highlights

• Nearly 6 million people were impacted by ransomware attack on Ascension Health

• Pittsburgh Regional Transit attributes recent service disruptions to ransomware attack

• European Space Agency's official store hacked to steal payment cards

• Defense Giant General Dynamics Says Employees Targeted in Phishing Attack

• Nearly half a million people had data stolen after cyberattack on American Addiction Centers

• N Korea hackers stole $1.3bn of crypto this year

• After 344 million customers were hit by Marriott data breach, the hotel chain has been ordered to implement better security measures

In other news,  CFPB Sues JPMorgan, Bank of America Over Alleged Zelle Fraud

MUST READ: State Department’s disinformation office to close after funding terminated

We wanted to do a recap of the year and quickly realized that we can’t seem to afford to do that. It’s so much more important to inform our readers that no matter what time of the year it is, we need to keep our vigilance.

We are always here to serve you. As always, email us at our new address by replying to this email or at:

[email protected].

Inside Hexagon

We are so grateful for the many supporters who believe in our work and even more thankful to our generous donors. We have many plans for this coming new year and we know that we cannot do it without your help.

We know that if we work together, we can make this year even better and safer than the last.

Happy New Year

HOUSEKEEPING

Glossary/Legend:

• Malware - A software that is specifically designed to disrupt, damage, or gain unauthorized access to a computer system.

• Cyberattack - A malicious attempt to gain unauthorized access to a computer system, network, or device. The goal of a cyberattack is to disrupt or damage the target, or to steal data, intellectual property, or money.

• Ransomware - A type of malware that locks or encrypts a victim's files and demands a ransom payment to unlock and decrypt them. Ransomware can infect a variety of devices, including computers, smartphones, printers, and more.

• Multi-Factor Authentication - A multi-step process that requires more than just a password to log in to an account. MFA can include entering a code sent to your email, answering a secret question, or scanning a fingerprint. MFA is a key part of a strong identity and access management (IAM) policy.

• Pig Butchering - A type of online fraud where a scammer builds a trusting relationship with a victim over a long period of time, often through dating apps, before manipulating them into investing large sums of money, usually in cryptocurrency, into a fake investment scheme, essentially "slaughtering" the victim's finances; the term "pig" is used metaphorically to represent the victim being fattened up before being exploited.

Spread cybersecurity culture

Do you have any suggestions on how we can further share this newsletter? Tell your friends and family about us by sharing with them the Hexagon Center official website:

hexagoncenter.org

View archives at hxweekly.beehiiv.com

You may reply to this newsletter or email us at
[email protected]

Send us any questions or things you want to talk about. Please share some fun facts with us. We welcome feedback and suggestions.

Hexagon Center is formed as a nonprofit corporation in California for public benefit,
_{and is tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.}

_DISCLAIMER

_{Cybersecurity is an ever-changing field, and threats may evolve. While Hexagon Center strives to provide accurate and timely information, we cannot guarantee absolute security. Users are responsible for implementing their security measures and staying informed about the latest cybersecurity developments. Hexagon Center is not responsible for any cyber or scam attacks by our readers. HX Weekly tips are advice are not official positions of Hexagon Center nor is Hexagon Center responsible for its content.}

Content of this newsletter is not an official representation of Hexagon Center.

_{SEE MORE DISCLAIMER HERE}