Dear BlackCloak Client,

Summer is finally here! We suspect many of you will be taking vacations and traveling. Additionally, more people are leaving their homes and getting outdoors. With that, we've put together a few items to keep top of mind and ways to stay safe over the next couple months.

Rental Cars

Rental cars are in high demand and the number of cars available has been limited because rental car companies sold off much of their fleet due to COVID. As a result, prices have skyrocketed and scammers are trying to make a buck through fake advertisements offering rental deals and low prices. They're also creating fake websites and customer service numbers.

• Recommendations: Use reputable rental car companies. If you find a deal elsewhere, verify that it's legit. Additionally, always visit the rental car company's website directly to find a Support number. Don't rely on search engine results. Scammers will pay money to have their websites and phone numbers display within the top search results. We're always here to help our clients ensure a website or phone number is safe and secure. 

Vacation Travel Spending

Travel booking platforms offer a variety of payment methods at check out. You may also interact with travel agencies or tour/excursion companies that have their own preferred methods of payment. Furthermore, local stores and boutique shops may accept other forms of payment as well.

• Recommendations: Always pay with a credit card. Never pay with a debit card. Additionally, try not to pay with a gift card, unless it's a known reputable site or a store that specifically issued the gift card in the first place. For individuals with an Apple device, consider using the Apple Pay functionality with sites or stores that offer it. It provides an added level of protection and is very convenient when you want to check out. No need to pull it out of your wallet or purse.

Device Protection

Depending upon where you are vacationing, other individuals may have access to your devices. Maybe you spend that day at a hotel pool or spa. Maybe you head to the beach.

Of course, cyber criminals don't need to have physical access to your device, they may try to social engineer you, send you a malicious text message/email, or masquerade in the form of an app. With the 4th of July holiday right around the corner,  we typically see an increase in active duty or veteran scams or other "USA" themed scams.

• Recommendations: Keep your devices locked away in a hotel safe or locker when not with them. Ensure you've enabled a passcode, Touch ID or Face ID on your device, so individuals with bad intentions can't access the contents within. And lastly, make sure your devices are up to date, patched, and have protection software running on them in order to detect and defend against cyber threats.

Download or Update to the Latest Version of the Mobile App

The BlackCloak mobile app, version 1.2.21, is available in the app stores for Apple & Google. If you have automatic updates enabled on your device, your app may have already updated. However, if you want to check or push the update to your device, navigate to your device's app store: Apple or Google. If an update is available, press the “Update” button to update to the latest version.  

Next Client Webinar - July 14th at 8:30pm EST

Sign up for the next monthly webinar, Social Media Hardening of Your Instagram Account. In this 25-minute webinar, we'll focus on why cybercriminals target social media accounts and walk through our recommended security and privacy settings. Register HERE.

June's Client Webinar - Recording Available

June's Stay Cyber Smart While Traveling webinar recording is available, along with our previously recorded sessions. The recordings can be accessed HERE. If prompted for a password, use: BC-Education!

As always, the BlackCloak Team is here to help. If you have any questions, email us at ask@blackcloak.io.

Thanks!

The BLACKCLOAK Team

We're actively monitoring your devices to ensure you're protected.

If you get a new device, email us so we can protect it.

BlackCloak Client Statistics

 See where you fall within the BlackCloak Family

69%

Exposed Passwords

customers with passwords exposed on the Deep/Dark Web

27%

Compromised

customers with hacked computers, cameras, or phones

75%

Privacy Leaks

customer devices configured to overshare location and private data