![]() Bad news for Avery Products Corporation customers: the company recently announced a data breach that compromised credit card details and personal info. If you’ve shopped on their website, here’s what you need to know. Avery, known for its labels and printing services, discovered the breach on December 9, 2024, but the trouble started much earlier. Hackers planted a sneaky card-skimming tool on avery.com way back on July 18, 2024. That means any payment info entered on their site between July 18 and December 9 was stolen. Yikes. Here’s what the hackers got their hands on:
Thankfully, things like Social Security numbers and driver’s licenses weren’t involved, but what was exposed is still enough for hackers to rack up fraudulent charges. Avery’s notification even mentions reports of suspicious charges and phishing emails from customers. So, while they can’t confirm a direct connection, it’s a good idea to keep an eye on your accounts. To help out, Avery is offering 12 months of free credit monitoring through Cyberscout. You can also call them at (800) 462-8379 if you think you think you were affected, and be sure to report any fishy account activity to your bank ASAP. Unfortunately, this breach affected a whopping 61,193 customers, according to the Maine Attorney General’s office. So, if you’ve shopped with Avery recently, it’s worth taking a few extra precautions. Stay safe out there, and if you’re a victim, don’t wait—get in touch with Avery and your bank to lock things down.
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Heads Up! Scammers Exploit Disasters for Fake Charity Schemes
The FBI wants you to stay sharp—scammers are cashing in on tragedies to trick people into donating to fake charities. Whether it's the New Year’s Day attack in New Orleans or wildfires in LA, fraudsters are out there, posing as relief agencies, victims, or even celebrities, to steal your money or personal info. Here’s what’s happening:
How to Protect Yourself
Think You’ve Been Scammed?
Stay safe, stay skeptical, and let’s outsmart the scammers! See the official warning here.
Let’s face it—email is a big part of our lives. It’s where we store a lot of our personal and professional details, chat with friends, get updates from our favorite brands, and unfortunately, sometimes become the target of phishing attempts or other security threats. Keeping your email secure is a must these days, especially with cyber threats getting sneakier every year. Here’s a simple breakdown of some easy ways to keep your email account safe from prying eyes.
1. Start with a Strong Password (and Make It Unique!) I get it, everyone says this, but that's because it really matters. A strong password is your first line of defense. Try to avoid common passwords (password123, qwerty, pet/kid names, or addresses) and make yours long, random, and hard to guess. Mix up uppercase and lowercase letters, throw in numbers and symbols, and never reuse it for other accounts. Pro tip: Use a passphrase instead of a single word. Something like “C@tCh3ck€d0n2019” is both complex and memorable (if you happen to love cats, for instance). Better yet, use a password manager to generate and store strong passwords for you. Most browsers have password managers built in. You can use a standalone password manager that goes between devices and across browsers, too. I'm a huge fan of Proton Pass. And, remember those passwords! Use an easily accessible password manager or keep a book of them somewhere safe. I often have people come in for tech help but we are unable to get anywhere because we can't access their accounts or devices. 2. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) Two-factor authentication (2FA) is like adding an extra lock on the door. Even if someone gets ahold of your password, they’ll still need that second “factor” (usually a code sent to your phone or an authenticator app) to get in. Almost every email provider supports 2FA, so there’s no reason not to enable it. Tip: Try using an authenticator app (like Google Authenticator or Authy) rather than SMS for added security, as SMS can sometimes be intercepted, or your SIM card can be swapped/copied. 3. Beware of Phishing Emails Phishing emails can be super convincing these days. Scammers will often try to mimic reputable companies or people you know to trick you into clicking on a link or sharing personal information. Always double-check the sender’s address—if you get an email from [email protected] saying your account has been compromised, it’s probably a scam. Safety tip: If you’re unsure, don’t click any links. Go directly to the website of the company and check for any updates from there. 4. Keep Your Devices and Software Updated Hackers often exploit security holes in outdated software, so keeping your devices and email apps updated can make a big difference. This includes updating your operating system, browser, and any security software you use. Pro tip: Enable automatic updates on your devices if possible. It’s one less thing to think about, and you’ll always have the latest security patches. 5. Use a Secure Email Provider If you’re serious about email security, consider switching to a more secure email provider. Providers like ProtonMail (Aimee loves Proton) and Tutanota offer end-to-end encryption, meaning even they can’t see the contents of your emails. Gmail and Outlook have decent security too, but the added privacy of encrypted email can give you extra peace of mind. 6. Avoid Public Wi-Fi for Sensitive Emails Public Wi-Fi can be a hacker’s playground. If you’re checking email in a coffee shop, airport, or anywhere with an open network, be cautious. Avoid logging into sensitive accounts, and if you must, consider using a VPN (Virtual Private Network) to encrypt your connection. 7. Be Cautious with Attachments Malware often hides in email attachments, so think twice before downloading anything from an unknown sender. If an email with an attachment looks suspicious or unexpected, delete it or contact the person who “sent” it to confirm. 8. Regularly Check Your Account Activity Most email providers let you view recent account activity, showing you details like when and where your account was accessed. Checking this every so often is a great way to make sure no one else is snooping in your inbox. If you spot any unusual activity, change your password immediately and check for other signs of hacking. 9. Don’t Overshare Online Believe it or not, some hackers can guess or reset your email password using information you post online. Avoid sharing details like your birthday, pet names, or other personal info that might be answers to security questions. Be ever so mindful about what you’re sharing, especially on social media. 10. Create a Fake Family Better yet, use fake information when filling out those security forms. You know how your bank password reset always wants to know what school you went to, your mother's maiden name, etc? Even without you sharing, these are able to be found in public records. So what do you do? Make a fake family! Who was your favorite sitcom family? They are yours, now! Well, as long as you didn't make it your whole personality online. Just make sure you remember who your new family is when you need to unlock your account. 11. Keep a Backup Email Address Lastly, having a backup email address that’s only used for recovery purposes can be a lifesaver if something does go wrong. Make sure it’s secure and linked to your primary account. This way, you can regain access quickly if you’re ever locked out of your main email. I cannot stress how important it is to have this second email and not depend on just one. So many people get locked out of the first without a way to unlock it. Keeping your email secure is mostly about being cautious and adding extra layers of protection. With strong passwords, two-factor authentication, and a healthy dose of skepticism towards emails that look too good (or bad) to be true, you’re well on your way to keeping your inbox safe. It only takes a few small changes to make a big difference, and trust me, your future self will thank you! |
Aimee ClarkI am the IT Librarian at the Spencer Public Library! Here I will share the joys and concerns in the world of tech. ArchivesCategories |