As the travel season commences, you might find yourself in a position where applying for or renewing your Global Entry membership becomes necessary for international travel. However, it's crucial to be aware that cybercriminals are actively creating deceptive websites that mimic the official renewal pages. Their aim is to defraud unsuspecting individuals by siphoning off their money and harvesting sensitive personal information.

The Global Entry program is an integral component of the Trusted Traveler Programs, which are overseen by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The legitimate website for managing your Global Entry membership is https://ttp.dhs.gov/. Be wary of fraudulent websites that may resemble the official site, particularly those with misleading URLs that might end in ".com" instead of the official ".gov". Authentic email confirmations regarding your membership should only originate from donotreply@cbp.dhs.gov. If you suspect that your information might have been compromised on a dubious website, please contact the BlackCloak concierge team.

News Worth Noting:

• Mexican Drug Cartel Targets Seniors in Timeshare Scam - The New York Times reports on a Mexican cartel that has conducted a series of scams primarily targeting senior citizens centered around timeshares.

• "MFA Bombing" Attack Affecting Apple Device Owners - Apple users have reported being targeted in a phishing attack involving a bug asking them to reset their Apple ID password.

• FTC Issues Warning Over Scammers Impersonating Agency to Steal Money - The FTC issued a warning stating cybercriminals are impersonating its employees to steal money from Americans.
• Study: $75B Lost to "Pig Butchering" Scams - A study found as much as $75 billion has been lost to "pig butchering" scams around the world.

Encrypting Flash Drives

In this on-demand webinar, learn why you should encrypt your flash drives to protect the sensitive information residing on the device.

Social Media Protection Tips

BlackCloak Chief Experience Officer Ingrid Gliottone shares tips on protecting your social media accounts.

A Look at the Best Choices for Messaging Apps

Text messaging swiftly emerged as one of the most prevalent communication methods following the introduction of the smartphone. While text messaging facilitates easy connections, this technological leap also brings significant drawbacks. 

Previously, text messages were vulnerable to interception by various groups with different motives, ranging from cybercriminals to law enforcement agencies. Consequently, an increasing number of individuals are turning to messaging apps that encrypt their messages, safeguarding communications for those who value privacy. 

While these apps have gained widespread popularity, they differ in features, and some may better suit specific user preferences. In this article, we'll explore four robust messaging app options: iMessage, Signal, WhatsApp, and Telegram.

BlackCloak Identifies Rising Cyber Threats Against Crypto-Invested Venture Capital and Private Equity Firm

The BlackCloak Threat Intelligence Team is currently observing and pinpointing new strategies deployed by cybercriminals targeting venture capital and private equity firms with investments in cryptocurrency. These malicious actors are not just focusing on the firms themselves but are extending their reach to individuals, their partners, and individual Limited Partners involved in crypto funds or wallets. Learn how we are doing so in this blog post.

BlackCloak Wins Gold at the 2024 Globee Awards 

BlackCloak is proud to announce that we have been named the Cybersecurity Gold Winner in the Most Innovative Security Service of the Year category at the 2024 Globee Awards.

BlackCloak on the Road

BlackCloak is attending events in Atlanta and Washington D.C. this April. If you or your colleagues are attending any of these events, please visit us and say hi.

• IAPP Global Privacy Summit - Washington D.C.: April 1-4
• Data Connectors - Atlanta: April 11