Decoding Security

In a broad sense, there are two types of software: closed source and open source. Closed source would be things like your hosting provider’s proprietary website builder software or MacOS, while open source software are things that you can actually contribute to or modify to fit your needs, like WordPress or Ubuntu.

The world's two larges hackers conferences were held in early August 2018 in Las Vegas, Black Hat and DEF CON 26. Straight on the heels of Black Hat was DEF CON 26. This hackers’ summer camp in Las Vegas also had its share of political controversy last week. Was an 11-year old really able to hack election results? Does your financial institution respect your 2-factor authentication? This week Security Analyst, Jessica Ortega and Web Security Research Analyst, Topher Tebow discuss their experiences at DEF CON 26, including diversity, politics, and legislation. Our hosts will also discuss the hot topic of biohacking medical devices and the new hotel security protocols in Las Vegas.

Almost 60% of Internet traffic comes from bots. That sounds scary, until you realize that not all bot traffic is malicious. There are even some bots that you actually want visiting your website. Security Analysts, Jessica Ortega and Ram Gall, take a look at the different types of bots out there, and what you should do about them.

According to pop culture’s portrayal of cybersecurity and hacking, it’s easy to be a hacker. Hacks and breaches not only dominate the real-world media, but they can be seen everywhere in TV and movies today, and more often than not, the portrayal is inaccurate. Security Analysts Jessica Ortega and Ramuel Gall take a candid look at Hollywood’s hype on hacking, so grab a bag of popcorn and tune in!

Many consider cryptocurrency to be the future of money since it eliminates disclosing personal financial information when purchasing goods and services online. So, what do you need to know? Security Analysts Jessica Ortega and Ramuel Gall highlight information you need to know about cryptocurrency and cryptojacking.

The world of wearable tech extends beyond smart watches: fitness trackers, insulin pumps, and even homemade devices have risen to popularity as well. But just like any other device, they can be vulnerable to attack and may be collecting data you don’t want exposed. Learn about the security risks and best practices for wearable technology from Security Analysts Jessica Ortega and Ramuel Gall on the latest episode of Decoding Security.

A VPN or Virtual Private Network, can help secure your online identity and personal data from cybercriminals. This week on Decoding Security, Security Analysts Jessica Ortega and Ramuel Gall discuss what a VPN is, how it works, and how you can use it for your benefit, so be sure to tune in!

Security Analysts Jessica Ortega and Ramuel Gall will get you started with an overview of SSL certificates. Tune in and learn why every website needs an SSL certificate, how they work, and how to get one installed on your website.

No matter how unlikely you think an attack on your website might be, all sites are inherently at risk of compromise. Ram talks with guest host Ric about what a WAF is, and how to use one to protect your website.

There is little debate that cybersecurity continues to be a hot issue. However, the debate over how best to go about treating cyberthreats rages on. Cybersecurity threats are one of the leading challenges many nations face. Jessica and Ram discuss why cybersecurity is a complex transnational issue that requires global cooperation for a safe internet.

Two-thirds of all cyberattacks are now directed at small businesses. Jessica and Ram discuss how to protect and strengthen your company by following these affordable and simple steps.

Mobile devices are prone to security issues including malware, loss of data, and even theft. Jessica and Ram discuss how to keep your mobile devices safe from online threats.

Does the news about Facebook's privacy issues make you WannaCry? Learn how you can secure your information with Decoding Security!

Drupalgeddon is back, as discussed by security analysts Jessica Ortega and Ram Gall.

Web Security Analysts, Jessica Ortega and Ram Gall, discuss what to consider when looking for website security products, and some red flags to watch out for.

Spring is just around the corner, which for many of us means cleaning out our closets, storage sheds, scrubbing behind the stove, and other deep cleaning we might not get to every week. What many people often don’t consider is deep cleaning of our digital lives. Now is a good time to get in there and clean out your computers, servers, phones, and any other devices you might have, and maybe even throw a fresh coat of paint on those dingy old passwords.

The 2018 Winter Olympics got off to a shaky start this year thanks to a cyberattack. The attack took down the official Olympics website, preventing access to tickets, thus preventing many ticket holders from attending the opening ceremonies. This kind of cyberattack could happen to any size organization at any time, so it’s important to put together an incident response plan (IRP) to protect your information when a crisis does occur. Our hosts share steps that anyone, from website owners who want to protect their sites, to families looking to preserve their family photos, can take to create a response plan.

"Ransomware" has been added to the Oxford English Dictionary. If you want to dig deeper and learn more about ransomware, our hosts, Security Analysts Jessica Ortega and Ramuel Gall, have you covered. They’ll discuss what it is, why it’s so popular with cybercriminals, and - perhaps most importantly – what you can do to prevent it.

Even if you’re careful about which ads you click, your email habits could be riskier than you realize. Our hosts, Research Analysts Ramuel Gall and Topher Tebow (filling in for Jessica Ortega) share simple tips for avoiding everyday email security mistakes.

You work hard to keep cybercriminals out - but what if they're already in? Learn how the security principle of least privilege can protect your organization.

Happy New Year from Decoding Security! We've predicted the top cybercrime trends of 2018 - listen to find out what threats you should look out for this year.

2017 was a big year for malware, hacks, and data breaches. Voting machines proved to be easily hackable, Uber was caught paying off cybercriminals, and of course, Equifax experienced a breach that affected 140 million Americans. On the latest episode of Decoding Security, security analysts Jessica Ortega, Ramuel Gall, and producer/security analyst Topher Tebow count down the top ten cybersecurity issues of the past year.

With social media being so prevalent, our lives have become public knowledge. This has its advantages, but as Jessica and Ram discuss, there are some dangers we should all be aware of when managing our online presence.

Whether you shop in store on Black Friday or wait for Cyber Monday, all holiday shoppers need to be aware of the ways their information could be compromised.

Can your small business afford being hacked? Today, 50 percent of all small businesses have experienced a breach - and 60 percent of victims are out of business within six months due to the hefty cost of recovery. What makes small businesses such an easy target, and what can business owners do to keep their digital doors open? Find out in the latest episode of Decoding Security, as Website Security Research Analysts Jessica Ortega and Michael Veenstra discuss small business cybersecurity, recent security news, and more.

Endpoint security is an important piece of your overall security puzzle. Along with some of the website security tactics we've discussed previously, a strong endpoint security strategy is important for protecting your systems, and your users.

Internet security is becoming more a part of our lives every day. We no longer have to worry about security on just our computers, but our phones, thermostats, and even our refrigerators. Jessica and Michael discuss the future of Internet security: the Internet of Things.

Website security is something we could all use a refresher on from time to time. Jessica and Michael discuss some basics that we should all be utilizing in the management of our websites.

The Equifax data breach is one of the largest breaches we have seen in cybersecurity. Jessica and Michael discuss this breach, how to avoid breaches, and what to do now that a breach has occurred.