Cyber-Security Firm, SnoopWall, Features 10 Tips for Halting Hackers on the Holidays

NASHUA, NH--(Marketwired - Dec 4, 2014) - Gary S. Miliefsky, a founding member of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, cyber-security expert and CEO of SnoopWall -- a firm featuring his cutting-edge spyware-blocking technology -- wants businesses and individuals alike to take further cautionary measures this holiday season. That's why he's issued his consumer alert -- a list of 10 tips for halting hackers on the holidays, available at www.snoopwall.com/halting-hackers-on-the-holidays/.

"Nearly two-thirds of the American public have heard, read or seen something about online safety and security issues recently, and most of what they remember is negative, including identity theft, privacy loss and increased frequency of attacks," Miliefsky says. "According to PrivacyRights.org, we've all lost our identity at least three times in the U.S., with more than 930 million records breached, lost or stolen to hackers and cyber criminals."

The news regularly reports on hacking stories. Most recently, FireEye, a Silicon Valley security company, exposed a group of sophisticated hackers, dubbed "Fin4," who want a market edge in the pharmaceutical industry.

So how can the average person compete for the security of personal information like banking information if a cyber criminal is determined to breach various firewalls?

"Cyber security is a fascinating issue for many reasons, in part, because most of us are in the same boat, from Grandma to your children to Wall Street CEOs and their businesses, we're all vulnerable to intelligent and determined hackers," Miliefsky says.

As indicated in his consumer alert, Miliefsky's first tip encourages a precautionary assumption: Assume you've already been compromised.

"Whether it's your baby monitor, your SmartTV, the Webcam on your laptop or apps you installed on your smartphone or tablet, your antivirus is not enough protection," he says. "It's time to take those devices' and apps' privacy policies, and the permissions you grant them, much more seriously."

With increased purchasing activity this holiday season, Miliefsky encourages consumers to review the rest of his tips.

About Gary S. Miliefsky

Gary S. Miliefsky is CEO of SnoopWall and the inventor of SnoopWall spyware-blocking technology. He is a founding member of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and serves on the advisory board of MITRE on the CVE Program, and is a founding board member of the National Information Security Group. He's also the founder of NetClarity, Inc., an internal intrusion defense company, based on a patented technology he invented.