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The Frequency of Cyber Attacks is Escalating According to BBB

Municipalities, consumers, businesses, or universities are not void of the danger of cyber-attacks as displayed in recent attacks on the city governments of Pittsburg, KS and Joplin, Missouri.

Recently the BBB's Regional Director Pamela Hernandez spoke with KRPS's Fred Fletcher-Fierro about ways you can protect yourself from online security breaches.

Pam and Fred Security Chat

October is Cyber Security Month, a great time to reconsider how strong your password and other security measures are for your online accounts. KRPS’s Fred Fletcher-Fierro has more.

According to a recent report by Norton, a cyber security company, over 75% of cyber attacks start with a simple email.

While global cybercrime costs are expected to grow by 15% per year over the next five years, reaching $10.5 trillion annually by 2025.

If you think you will be spared or overlooked because you don’t have anything hackers want, consider this. According to a 2021 Norton survey, more than half of all consumers have experienced cybercrime, with around one in three falling victim in the past year alone.

The good news is that all of us have access to free or inexpensive multi-layer security that can alert and protect us according to Pamela Hernandez, Regional Director of the Better Business Bureau in Springfield, Missouri.

“Password managers that let you keep all your passwords for all of your accounts stored in something called a vault online and your password managers are usually apps or web tools. And it just lets you access everything with a single, master password.”

Pamela also suggests consumers consider using multi-factor authentication that requires a single-use code every time you log into your accounts while at the same providing another layer of protection.

Norton cyber security estimates show that there is a cyberattack every 44 seconds throughout the day.

Copyright 2023 Four States Public Radio. To see more, visitFour States Public Radio.

Since 2017 Fred Fletcher-Fierro has driven up Highway 171 through thunderstorms, downpours, snow, and ice storms to host KRPS’s Morning Edition. He’s also a daily reporter for the station, covering city government, elections, public safety, arts, entertainment, culture, sports and more. Fred has also spearheaded and overseen a sea change in programming for KRPS from a legacy classical station to one that airs a balance of classical, news, jazz, and cultural programming that better reflects the diverse audience of the Four States. For over two months in the fall of 2022 he worked remotely with NPR staff to relaunch krps.org to an NPR style news and information website.

In the fall of 2023 Fred was promoted to Interim General Manager and was appointed GM in Feburary of 2024.