🚨 Warning: Student Loan Forgiveness Scams Are on the Rise! 🚨 | ##studentloanforgiveness #scamalert #staysafe

Beware of Student Loan Forgiveness Scams! 🚨

The constant changes to student loan forgiveness programs have created a perfect opportunity for scammers. These fraudsters know you want your loans forgiven and will try to take advantage of that hope for their own gain.

They may reach out via phone or set up fake websites to steal your personal info, like your Social Security number or bank account details. Some even pressure you with fake "urgent" messages, urging you to apply "before it's too late" — then charge you hefty fees. But here's the catch: it's all a scam.

💡 Important Tip: It’s FREE to apply for student loan forgiveness! If anyone asks you for money upfront, they’re likely trying to scam you.

🚫 The U.S. Department of Education will never contact you by phone. To stay safe, always go directly to their official website for accurate info on applying for forgiveness.

Stay smart and protect your information! 💪 #studentloanforgiveness #scamalert #staysafe

🚨 Beware of Deepfake Calls: Stay Safe from Digital Deception! 🚨

In an era of rapid technological advancements, deepfake technology is becoming more sophisticated, and now it's being used in phone calls! 🤖📱

What is a Deepfake Call?
A deepfake call involves AI-generated voice technology that can mimic someone’s voice—making it sound like it's really them on the other end of the line. Scammers can use this technology to impersonate friends, family, or even your boss to trick you into revealing sensitive information, transferring money, or falling for other types of scams. 🛑

How to Protect Yourself:

Don’t trust the voice immediately: If you receive a call from someone you know, but the voice sounds strange or odd, verify it through a different communication channel (e.g., text or email).
Stay skeptical of urgent requests: Scammers often create a sense of urgency—don’t let that pressure you into making a hasty decision.
Do not share sensitive information: Never share passwords, bank account details, or personal data over the phone, especially if you're unsure about the caller’s identity.
Use two-factor authentication (2FA): Add an extra layer of protection to your accounts with 2FA whenever possible.
Report suspicious calls: If you receive a suspicious call or encounter a deepfake attempt, report it to the authorities and your service provider.
Stay informed, stay secure!
Let’s work together to recognize these threats and protect ourselves and our loved ones from the dangers of deepfake technology. Share this post to help spread awareness! 🔒🌐

#cybersecurity #deepfakeawareness #techsafety #digitalsecurity #stayinformed

Yahaya Bello Pleads Not Guilty to 16-Count Fraud Charge

Former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, has pleaded not guilty to the 16-count charge brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). This comes after he responded to the EFCC's invitation on Tuesday.

The EFCC has filed a case alleging a 110 billion naira fraud against Bello.

Dressed in a white kaftan and blue cap, Bello arrived at the court accompanied by EFCC officials. His co-defendants, Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, have been granted administrative bail by the commission.

At the previous hearing on November 14, the EFCC requested an adjournment to Wednesday, November 27, in order to allow the 30-day period for the summons issued earlier to run its course. The commission also requested an extension for Bello's appearance in court.

As the saying goes, malicious actors don’t break in—they log in. This rings especially true in today's cybersecurity landscape. Organizations are increasingly challenged to protect their employees from credential phishing, a threat that has only intensified with the rise of “MFA bypass” attacks.

In an MFA bypass attack, attackers use social engineering tactics to deceive victims into entering their username and password on a fake website. If the victim is using traditional MFA methods, like SMS, authenticator apps, or push notifications, the attackers simply prompt them for the MFA code or trigger the push notification. If the attackers can convince the victim to share their login credentials (username and password), they often succeed in persuading them to also share the MFA code or approval action.

It’s important to note that any form of MFA is better than none. However, recent attacks highlight that legacy MFA methods are no match for modern, sophisticated threats. So, what can organizations do to strengthen their defenses? One answer can be found in a new case study.

CISA and the USDA have just released a case study detailing how the USDA implemented FIDO authentication across its workforce of approximately 40,000 employees. While the majority of USDA staff use government-standard Personal Identity Verification (PIV) smartcards, this solution wasn’t suitable for all employees, including seasonal workers or those in specialized lab environments where standard PIV cards could be damaged by decontamination procedures. This case study explores the challenges the USDA faced, how they developed their identity management system, and offers recommendations for other organizations. One key takeaway: "Always be piloting."

FIDO authentication directly addresses MFA bypass attacks by leveraging modern cryptographic techniques integrated into operating systems, phones, and browsers that are already in use. Popular websites and Single Sign-On (SSO) providers also support FIDO authentication.

What’s truly remarkable about FIDO is that even if attackers manage to create a convincing phishing scheme and trick staff into providing their credentials, the account remains secure.

The USDA’s success story serves as a powerful example for all organizations to migrate to FIDO authentication. With rising threats, customers expect their providers to prioritize security. Organizations must evolve their defenses to safeguard against one of the most common and effective attack vectors in today’s cyber threat landscape.