06-02-2021, 08:24 PM
(06-02-2021, 10:01 AM)Au165 Wrote: The biggest problem is that most cybersecurity breaches are legitimately caused by the same stupid phishing crap that has gone on since the beginning of the internet. When it isn't the repurposing of passwords it's clicking on links or visiting sites that are embedding malware. A few years ago when ransomware was really popular taking down small businesses and even larger ones, they were almost always brought on the network through employees clicking on something they shouldn't have. They can then spread it to other associated businesses by using their compromised systems to distribute it in disguise as official business.
Until we better train people to quit being stupid these kinds of things are going to continue. I agree we as a whole need to beef up security for staving off attacks but the easiest way into networks isn't brute-forcing it is simply waiting for stupid people to invite you in.
Dude, you'd be shocked, absolutely shocked, at what some otherwise intelligent people fall for. We have a phishing report button on our e-mail accounts. Some of the e-mails that we get are so damned obvious, yet people still respond to them or ask me if they should report them. I have a very intelligent female friend who literally sent someone money over an e-mail. Now, I can see you thinking that means she's not very intelligent, but trust me, she is.
(06-02-2021, 07:30 PM)Au165 Wrote: While we are at it requiring financial literacy classes for graduation would do wonders for the country.
Bmore and I talked about that in a thread several months ago. We both think it's a great idea and he's advocated for it. Problem is, kids aren't any more likely to pay attention in that class than any other. So, even if you had it I doubt it would help many/most people. Still, the more people you reach the better. I'm reminded of a documentary I saw (it might have just been a special on ESPN or the like) about how most professional athletes are broke not long after their career ends. In it a guy was talking about the financial literacy course that NFL rookies have to take and the warning they were issued. He and his friend both laughed at the people "stupid" enough to end up that way. Then he and his friend both ended up that way. It is a rare person who can learn from the mistakes, or warnings, of others. Hell, my dad warned me about incurring debt all the time, it didn't stop me from having over 60k in credit card debt by the time I was 24. It took me about ten years to fully dig out of that hole, and certainly delayed my buying a house. But in the end, lesson learned. The goddamned hard way.
