June 26, 2024

Using Kaspersky Antivirus Software? It is Now Banned in the U.S.

Why is Kaspersky Getting Banned?

Kaspersky is getting banned in the US after the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) conducted a review of the company’s cybersecurity and anti-virus transactions.

• BIS states that Russia is a foreign adversary that poses ongoing threats to the United States.
• According to the agency, Kaspersky is under the jurisdiction and control of the Russian Government
  • Allowing Kaspersky to access to sensitive information from US customers.
• BIS notes that the company poses “unacceptable risks to the United States’ national security and the security and safety of its people.”
  • The main concerns are:
    • Kaspersky’s connections to Russia
    • Potential security weaknesses in Kaspersky’s products
    • A chance that Russia could exploit these weaknesses.

What Does This Mean to Current Kaspersky Users?

• The Kaspersky ban essentially means you will not be able to purchase its software products
  • If you already have one, it will stop working soon.
  • Starting July 20, Kaspersky and any of its partners will not be able to sell or license cybersecurity or antivirus software in the US.
  • Existing Kaspersky customers have until September 29 to find an alternative
    • The company will no longer be able to provide antivirus signature updates after this date.

Kaspersky’s ban in the U.S. shouldn’t come as a surprise. The firm has been on the government’s radar for quite some time.

In 2017, the US banned the use of the Moscow-based cyber security firm’s products across all government agencies.

Read more from the Bureau of Industry & Security website.

June 26, 2024

Data Breach – U.S. Bans Antivirus Software

Financial Business and Consumer Solutions (FBCS), a debt collection enterprise, has been impacted by a massive data breach that affects millions of Americans. FBCS is a debt collection agency that specializes in recovering charged-off consumer and commercial debts, such as car loans, healthcare bills, utility bills, student loans, and credit cards.

The initial tally of those affected from this cyber incident was around 1.9 million, which the company raised to 3 million in June 2024. The data breach leaked a treasure trove of consumer data, including full name, Social Security Number (SSN), date of birth, and driver’s license number or ID card. The company has informed affected individuals as well as concerned authorities.

If your organization transfers collection accounts to this or any other agency, the collection agency becomes a business associate according to HIPAA.

Read more about the cyber incident on the FBCS website.

June 17, 2024

Detecting Financial Exploitation of the Elderly & Compliance

Criminals are getting smarter every day and using advanced technology, such as Artificial Intelligence to scam the elderly. Loneliness also creates situations for vulnerable adults leading to romance scams.

The federal government, states, commonwealths, territories and the District of Columbia all have laws designed to protect older adults from elder abuse and guide the practice of adult protective services agencies, law enforcement agencies, and others. Basic definitions associated with elder abuse are provided as well as a link to the DOJ State Elder Abuse Statutes.

This new article also reviews government agency oversight and the Transnational Elder Fraud Strike Force, various forms of scams and how to report financial fraud other elderly to the Elder Fraud Hotline and the FBI.

Click Here to read this and other articles related to Elder Abuse

June 17, 2024

Detecting Abuse of the Elderly

Duty of care is a requirement that a person act toward others and the public with the watchfulness, attention, caution and prudence that a reasonable person in the circumstances would use.

If a person’s actions do not meet this standard of care, then the acts are considered negligent and any damages resulting may be claimed in a lawsuit for negligence.

Information in this article can be useful when completing a Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) risk assessment and any time a health care professional determines it is necessary to gain a deeper understanding of presenting problems which are warning signs of:

• Elder physical abuse
• Elder sexual abuse
• Elder psychological abuse
• Elder abandonment
• Elder neglect and financial exploitation

Read Article