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Hi friend, how are you?

By now you’ve most likely heard the news of Carnival Cruise Lines having been data breached this week
Names, addresses, passport numbers, destinations, all of it
6 million users information now out there on the dark web

One of the reasons I write itsagoodlife.info is that I love people
That means I care about people, so I care about all of you

About 15 years ago I was “nice” and bought a new iPhone for a gentleman overseas. My phone carrier took care of it right away and the financial charges were immediately dropped
But the real headache? It was on a Friday of Thanksgiving weekend
Hackers Luvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv long holiday weekends
They know you’re busy hosting family and friends
Or you’re traveling to Aunt Emma’s house
Then the “Super Fun” guess who is running on a skeleton crew over the long weekend?
Yeppppp, the phone company, just like every one else

Lets get to it::::::
Last year I took a cyber security class, not to build firewalls, but for regular people like you and me
Here’s part of what I learned::::

1st Anytime you’re traveling ALWAYS change your password BEFORE and then again AFTER your trip
That isn’t just for overseas, but going out of town only 3 hours away too

2nd:: The hackers that got Carnival know the cruise dates now
They know if you’re out on a cruise you might have limited reception / odd time zones / doing activities other than monitoring your accounts
This is part of why airlines are under constant threats of cyber attacks
You want to change your passwords before you ever leave town for a fresh start
You want to change them as SOON as you get back to ensure no one got your info while you were out

3rd:: I’m an ex cop, just when I thought I had “seen it all” something new comes along
A criminal ( he got caught ) had a scam no one had thought of
He gave a scanning machine to kids working different fast food restaurants drive thru’s
How they got away for so long is insane, they have cameras every where
Drive thru worker would take your card, make your payment, then scan on the machine real quick to collect / store your card information, and then open the window to hand you back your card
I’ve traveled down to South America a lot, as in many / multiple times
Down there at no point ever does anyone ever touch your card but you
Restaurants, stores, pharmacies, never ever ever.. You and you only, card to machine
Watch your card…..

4th:: NEVER FOR ANY REASON EVER have a password that you can remember
If you can remember it, its not a matter of if, it’s only a matter of when it will be hacked
Entry level 101 hackers can do that on day 2
And now that they have AI tools, what could go wrong??? …. 🙃 

5th:: Google and others have free “Password Managers”
If you’re not good at making passwords up, you can use a password manager
NEVER EVER Have a password that goes together Birthday Cake / Cats and Dogs /
Sunny Day / Algorithms “hunt” for those the same way they do with passwords you can remember

6th::: The longer the password the better / Use upper and lower case / add numbers and special characters / DO NOT have letters together that make words like So / Try / If
Don’t get “cute” either.. No to K9 / Gwagon / G7
Strong password example::::::
+n5)k_3xB”q1h}S=^o6z{wT7$g<fE-\Uz4?9*!A[jD@;

7th:: Anytime it’s possible use 2 step verification
If you can use a “pass key” do so

8th:: Anytime it’s possible use Tap to pay

9th:: PLEEEZZZZ DO NOT use the same password for multiple accounts
I’m asking nicely 😃 😃 😃 

They say that only one / third of all Americans change their passwords annually
Mine are changed more often than that, farrrrrrr more often
I highly encourage you to consider doing the same

Our online security is important
Would you share this edition of itsagoodlife.info with your friends and family please, we never know who could benefit from this one


Invest wisely, live charitably and be well
Brother Bill

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