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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...
08.15.2023
The cost of a college education is typically the first great expense a young person encounters. According to the Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority (www.mefa.org), an average in-state public college will run roughly $24,000 for the 2023-2024 year and a little more than $100,000 for a four-year degree. Meanwhile, the average private college will cost about $55,000 for a starting freshman and could total more than $230,000 over the course of four years. Herbert Stein, an American economist, famously said, “If something cannot go on forever it will stop.” The growth of college costs will peak at some point and then recede; when that will occur is much more difficult to predict. Until that time, we will address circumstances as they currently are—how to finance this significant expenditure and how to view saving for college as a wealth transfer strategy. For the purposes of this piece, we will assume that our future...
