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Today’s most dangerous cyber threats don’t come from hackers breaking into systems- they come from someone convincing you to open the door for them. When most people think of cybercriminals, it conjures up the notion of dimly lit rooms full of nefarious characters feverishly typing computer code, attempting to access your sensitive personal data. But in today’s cybersecurity landscape it’s almost always much simpler; the criminals ask for information directly, and many people unknowingly provide it. These scams, referred to as “social engineering schemes,” manipulate your trust, sense of urgency, or make you afraid. The perpetrators use these tactics to manipulate you into sending money, clicking a link, or handing over access. These attacks don’t require technical sophistication; they rely on something much more powerful, your willingness to act- quickly, emotionally, and often without verifying critical details. The Real Risk: It’s About What They’re Asking You to Do It doesn’t...
09.18.2023
The year 2022 was a bloodbath for both equity and bond markets–the S&P 500 was down 18% and the Bloomberg US Aggregate Bond Index had its worst year ever, down 13%. This year, 2023, began with the US debt ceiling standoff, followed by a banking crisis, and continued rate hikes by the major central banks. The economy seemed like it would get worse before it got better, and the consensus was calling for a near-term recession. However, the stock market quickly shrugged off many of these concerns. Year-to-date as of August 31, the S&P 500 is up approximately 17% and NASDAQ is up approximately 34%. The S&P 500 is officially in a bull market (i.e., up at least 20% from its recent lows in October 2022). With the Federal Reserve and some economists no longer forecasting a recession[1], it makes one wonder what has changed in the last few months....
