Mahi Sall, Advisor, Fintech-Bank Partnerships, Payments and Financial Inclusivity
January 25th, 2023
Cyber Security | Sep 27, 2023
Image: Wikimedia Commons/BlueBreezeWiki
According to a report from Infosecurity Magazine, ransomware attackers are increasingly targeting smaller, less defended organizations. There was a 47% increase in new victims in the latter half of 2022, with many of these being small businesses with less mature cyber postures.
Specifically, 57% of the victims of the LockBit gang, known for high-profile attacks on the Royal Mail and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), were small businesses.
Many of these groups are moving away from traditional encryption-based attacks. Instead, they threaten to expose and publicize sensitive information, shifting from ransomware to pure extortion tactics.
To counter these threats, Trend Micro recommends:
The ransomware landscape in 2023 is evolving, with attackers shifting their focus to smaller businesses and adopting new tactics. Organizations must remain vigilant, adopt robust cybersecurity measures, and prioritize incident response and recovery to mitigate the impact of these threats.
The National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association (NCFA Canada) is a financial innovation ecosystem that provides education, market intelligence, industry stewardship, networking and funding opportunities and services to thousands of community members and works closely with industry, government, partners and affiliates to create a vibrant and innovative fintech and funding industry in Canada. Decentralized and distributed, NCFA is engaged with global stakeholders and helps incubate projects and investment in fintech, alternative finance, crowdfunding, peer-to-peer finance, payments, digital assets and tokens, artificial intelligence, blockchain, cryptocurrency, regtech, and insurtech sectors. Join Canada's Fintech & Funding Community today FREE! Or become a contributing member and get perks. For more information, please visit: www.ncfacanada.org
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Sep 22, 2023
Image: Unsplash/Viktor Talashuk
Gone are the days when you’d need huge filing cabinets and boxes of paperwork. These days, most people store documents and files through digital means, either saving them directly onto their device, using external storage or uploading them to the cloud. This is much easier and saves costs on paper, but is it safe?
While storing files on your computer is certainly easier, there are data security issues to consider. Not only that but having only digital copies of your documents could mean you run into issues if you ever lose your device or your storage becomes corrupted. However, there are ways you can safely store them and not have to worry.
One of the most important things you can do to ensure your digital files are safe is to back them up regularly. Whether you save all your files to the cloud, your device or an external storage unit, you should always back them up with at least one other copy in another location. This way, you prevent loss of data due to memory issues, lost devices or other problems.
If you do run into issues with memory, it’s not necessarily the end of the world. SD card data recovery has become a lot easier. However, making backups will still save you a lot of stress and worries should you ever have a problem. You can back up physical documents this way too, ensuring that you always have a copy ready if you need it.
Encryption helps keep your data secure, preventing it from being misused if it falls into the wrong hands. Whether you’re looking to protect personal and private information, financial records or client data, you should always use encryption to prevent unauthorised users from accessing it. Although it sounds complex, encrypting your files has never been easier.
There are lots of data protection tools that do it for you, and all you need to do is safely store the password or mnemonic phrases. You can use encryption to secure the local files on your computer, tablet or phone, and it’s possible to set it up on external hard drives and USB drives too. If you’re using a cloud data system, ensure that it encrypts your files for an added layer of protection.
When using the web, it’s easy to get carried away sharing information and giving apps and programs access to our files. If you’re worried about data security and protecting your digital documents, you should also be concerned about online privacy. This is especially true when you’re using free services, which often make their money by collecting data on users and selling it to ad companies.
You can stay safe and keep your documents secure by being more mindful of which apps and services you use. Check what kind of permissions you’ve given to applications on your devices, and ensure you’re not giving away all of your data. Always read through the full terms and conditions of any service you use too.
Using your device on an insecure network may result in your data being accessible to other people, which is definitely something you want to avoid. You should secure your home WiFi network and generally avoid using open networks. However, you can still use an open network safely if you know how to create an encrypted tunnel between your device and the hotspot.
While it’s rare to face attacks through WiFi networks, it’s best not to take the risk, especially if you’re worried about personal documents. As long as you use a secure connection, you should be able to safely and securely protect all your files without having to worry about losing them.
Data security means protecting your data from unauthorised usage. Whether it’s your personal data or you run a business that collects customer data, it’s incredibly important to secure it safely. Failing to secure it could mean your personal banking information and identity are at risk of being misused. If you run a business and fail to take data security seriously, you could face major fines.
In the modern world, cyber attacks have become more frequent as criminals look to profit from digital technology. If left unsecured, your personal data could be sold or ransomed for money. Even if you might think your personal data isn’t very interesting, you never know how it may be used against you if it falls into the wrong hands.
You can secure your data correctly by focusing on physical, network and system security. This means having special measures in place to restrict physical and online access to your files. You can use stronger passwords, encryption and firewalls to improve security.
The National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association (NCFA Canada) is a financial innovation ecosystem that provides education, market intelligence, industry stewardship, networking and funding opportunities and services to thousands of community members and works closely with industry, government, partners and affiliates to create a vibrant and innovative fintech and funding industry in Canada. Decentralized and distributed, NCFA is engaged with global stakeholders and helps incubate projects and investment in fintech, alternative finance, crowdfunding, peer-to-peer finance, payments, digital assets and tokens, artificial intelligence, blockchain, cryptocurrency, regtech, and insurtech sectors. Join Canada's Fintech & Funding Community today FREE! Or become a contributing member and get perks. For more information, please visit: www.ncfacanada.org
Support NCFA by Following us on Twitter!Follow @NCFACanada |
Cybersecurity | Sep 18, 2023
Image: Unsplash/David Vives
The recent cybersecurity breach at MGM Resorts has sent shockwaves throughout the industry, raising concerns about the vulnerability of even the most fortified systems.
The recent cyberattacks on MGM Resorts and Caesars Entertainment highlight the evolving challenges in the realm of cybersecurity. As technology continues to advance, so do the tactics and strategies of cybercriminals. The hospitality industry, with its vast troves of personal and financial data, remains a prime target. It's imperative for businesses to continually update and fortify their cybersecurity measures, ensuring the safety and trust of their patrons.
The incident emphasizes the need for businesses to adopt a proactive approach to cybersecurity, continually evaluating and updating their measures in line with evolving threats.
The National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association (NCFA Canada) is a financial innovation ecosystem that provides education, market intelligence, industry stewardship, networking and funding opportunities and services to thousands of community members and works closely with industry, government, partners and affiliates to create a vibrant and innovative fintech and funding industry in Canada. Decentralized and distributed, NCFA is engaged with global stakeholders and helps incubate projects and investment in fintech, alternative finance, crowdfunding, peer-to-peer finance, payments, digital assets and tokens, artificial intelligence, blockchain, cryptocurrency, regtech, and insurtech sectors. Join Canada's Fintech & Funding Community today FREE! Or become a contributing member and get perks. For more information, please visit: www.ncfacanada.org
Support NCFA by Following us on Twitter!Follow @NCFACanada |
Security | Sep 7, 2023
Image: Unsplash/Christiann Koepke
Mobile payments are not just a fleeting trend; they're here to stay. Recent survey results by Interac indicates a staggering 53% increase in debit mobile transactions in just one year. Furthermore, predictions suggest that in the near future, two-thirds of Canadians will find it commonplace to leave their homes without a physical wallet.
Crypto wallets and payments are on the rise too. There are a plethora of choices to suit varied needs from Trustwallet to MetaMask (Ethereum), or Coinbase Wallet (good for beginners) to crypto.com's wallet for connecting to the decentralized finance ecosystem.
Here's a breakdown of the top 5 ways hackers can access your data and how you can shield yourself:
In closing, never forget the mantra 'Not your keys, not your crypto'. While the shift towards mobile transactions offers unparalleled convenience, it also brings forth new security challenges. By staying informed and adopting best practices, both fintech innovators and users can ensure that their transactions remain secure in this digital age.
The National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association (NCFA Canada) is a financial innovation ecosystem that provides education, market intelligence, industry stewardship, networking and funding opportunities and services to thousands of community members and works closely with industry, government, partners and affiliates to create a vibrant and innovative fintech and funding industry in Canada. Decentralized and distributed, NCFA is engaged with global stakeholders and helps incubate projects and investment in fintech, alternative finance, crowdfunding, peer-to-peer finance, payments, digital assets and tokens, artificial intelligence, blockchain, cryptocurrency, regtech, and insurtech sectors. Join Canada's Fintech & Funding Community today FREE! Or become a contributing member and get perks. For more information, please visit: www.ncfacanada.org
Support NCFA by Following us on Twitter!Follow @NCFACanada |
Regulation | Sep 7, 2023
Image: Unsplash/Brxxto
The Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) recently announced its strategic roadmap to bolster the integrity and security of Canada's federally regulated financial institutions. This move, set to reshape the financial landscape, emphasizes the importance of both financial and non-financial risk management.
As OSFI continues to prioritize the security and integrity of Canada's financial institutions, these new provisions signify a proactive approach to risk management. Financial entities and stakeholders should anticipate a more rigorous and transparent regulatory environment, ensuring the continued trust and confidence in the Canadian financial system.
The National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association (NCFA Canada) is a financial innovation ecosystem that provides education, market intelligence, industry stewardship, networking and funding opportunities and services to thousands of community members and works closely with industry, government, partners and affiliates to create a vibrant and innovative fintech and funding industry in Canada. Decentralized and distributed, NCFA is engaged with global stakeholders and helps incubate projects and investment in fintech, alternative finance, crowdfunding, peer-to-peer finance, payments, digital assets and tokens, artificial intelligence, blockchain, cryptocurrency, regtech, and insurtech sectors. Join Canada's Fintech & Funding Community today FREE! Or become a contributing member and get perks. For more information, please visit: www.ncfacanada.org
Support NCFA by Following us on Twitter!Follow @NCFACanada |
Data Privacy | Sep 7, 2023
Image: Unsplash/Matthew Sichkaruk
Picture this: You're cruising down the highway, wind tousling your hair, belting out your favorite tunes, and feeling the freedom of the open road. But wait, did your car just wink at you? Well, not quite, but it might as well have, given how much it knows about you!
According to the study, every single one of the 25 car brands researched collects more personal data than necessary. That's a whopping 100% for those who love stats! And it's not just about how often you skip that '80s playlist or your penchant for midnight drives. Some of these brands are diving deep—like, really deep. While modern cars are becoming increasingly intelligent and connected, it's essential to ensure they're also adequately insured. If you're in Toronto, you can get competitive car insurance quotes toronto to safeguard your vehicle.
Every car brand researched collects more personal data than necessary.
Now, here's where it gets juicy. Nissan, in its infinite wisdom, thinks it's essential to know about your "sexual activity." Yes, you read that right. Your car might just be your biggest gossip buddy! And not to be left behind, Kia chimes in with its interest in your "sex life." One can't help but wonder if they're planning to launch a dating app integrated into the dashboard -> Find love on the go with CarDate!
And if that wasn't enough, six car companies have expressed their desire to know about your "genetic information" or "genetic characteristics." Perhaps they're contemplating a new matchmaking feature: "Drive with someone who shares 99.9% of your DNA!" (Disclaimer: Not recommended for those looking to expand their gene pool.)
84% of these brands are more than happy to share your personal data with service providers, data brokers, and other unknown businesses. So, while you thought you were having a private moment singing that romantic ballad, there's a good chance a data broker somewhere is nodding along with you. And 76% say they can sell your personal data. To whom, you ask? Well, that remains the million-dollar (or perhaps, given the data, the billion-dollar) question.
While 92% of the brands give drivers little control over their data, Renault and Dacia seem to be the knights in shining armor, allowing drivers the right to have their data deleted. But let's face it, in a sea of data-hungry sharks, two fish don't make much difference.
Cars today are more than just vehicles; they're data hubs on wheels. And while advancements in technology can enhance our driving experience, there's a fine line between useful and just plain creepy. So, the next time you're in your car, remember to keep your secrets close and your data closer. And maybe, just maybe, avoid any risqué conversations unless you want your car to play matchmaker on your next road trip!
The National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association (NCFA Canada) is a financial innovation ecosystem that provides education, market intelligence, industry stewardship, networking and funding opportunities and services to thousands of community members and works closely with industry, government, partners and affiliates to create a vibrant and innovative fintech and funding industry in Canada. Decentralized and distributed, NCFA is engaged with global stakeholders and helps incubate projects and investment in fintech, alternative finance, crowdfunding, peer-to-peer finance, payments, digital assets and tokens, artificial intelligence, blockchain, cryptocurrency, regtech, and insurtech sectors. Join Canada's Fintech & Funding Community today FREE! Or become a contributing member and get perks. For more information, please visit: www.ncfacanada.org
Support NCFA by Following us on Twitter!Follow @NCFACanada |