core sector communique

KnowBe4 and Kevin Mitnick Offer Free Cybercrime Prevention Tips for Upcoming Republican National Convention

Free Convention Security Tips are Designed to Protect RNC Attendees From Cyber Attacks When Using Public Kiosks and Wi-Fi during Republican National Convention

(CLEARWATER, Fla.,) August 6, 2012 – In preparation for the Republican National Convention (RNC), Security Awareness Training firm KnowBe4 and security expert Kevin Mitnick are offering free cybercrime prevention tips. The Republican National Convention will take place August 27-30, 2012, at the Tampa Bay Times Forum, and is expected to draw approximately 45,000 people, including delegates, media representatives and other tourists. (1) Local news station WTSP reports that the convention is also expected to attract an estimated 15,000 protesters, and may be subject to attempted cyber attacks from “hacktivists” around the globe. (2)

The RNC Cybercrime Prevention Tips from KnowBe4 and world-renowned ex-hacker Mitnick are created to help convention attendees protect their personal information and mobile devices from cyber attacks, especially when using public kiosks or wireless networks. The tips can be used for both convention-goers and visitors.

“It’s important for RNC attendees and locals to be aware of the risks when using shared computers and Wi-Fi,” said Stu Sjouwerman (pronounced “shower-man”), founder and CEO of KnowBe4. “Those who disagree with Republican politics may use cyber attacks to disrupt the event or make a public statement. This can range from website takedowns or takeovers, to cyberheists of bank accounts or confidential data, to organized efforts from hactivist groups such as Anonymous, which has coordinated online attacks against businesses and government agencies. Anonymous has already announced its intent to protest against the RNC and promote its ‘Operation Cannabis’ campaign during the convention.”

Sjouwerman and Mitnick – creators of the newly released Kevin Mitnick Security Awareness Training™ – encourage all convention attendees and visitors to heed the following security tips:

1. When using public kiosks to check email, make sure nobody is watching when you enter your login information. This is a popular way to steal credentials.

2. Public kiosks are hacking targets, and could be infected with malware that records keystrokes. Do not log into bank accounts or other confidential websites from shared

computers, and don’t type anything that you wouldn’t want to see splashed across tomorrow’s headlines.

3. Under no circumstances should you conduct any financial transactions – including online banking or purchases – over a wireless network. Your account information or credit card

data can easily be compromised.

4. Exercise caution when connecting to a wireless network. Make sure you are logging into a legitimate event-sponsored network, and not a Wi-Fi network that is merely designed

to look like an official network.

5. Turn off Bluetooth® on your mobile devices when you’re not using it. Hackers can use Bluetooth to easily access your laptop, tablets and mobile phones.

About Kevin Mitnick

Kevin Mitnick is an internationally recognized computer security expert with extensive experience in exposing the vulnerabilities of complex operating systems and telecommunications devices. He gained notoriety as a highly-skilled hacker who penetrated some of the most resilient computer systems ever developed. Today, Mitnick is renowned as an information security consultant and speaker, and has authored three books, including the New York Times best seller Ghost in the Wires. His latest endeavor is a collaboration with KnowBe4, LLC.

About Stu Sjouwerman and KnowBe4

Stu Sjouwerman is the founder and CEO of KnowBe4, LLC, which provides web-based Security Awareness Training to small and medium-sized enterprises. A data security expert with more than 30 years in the IT industry, Sjouwerman was the co-founder of Inc. 500 company Sunbelt Software, an award-winning anti-malware software company that he and his partner sold to GFI Software in 2010. Realizing that the human element of security was being seriously neglected, Sjouwerman decided to help entrepreneurs tackle cybercrime tactics through advanced Security Awareness Training. He and his colleagues work with companies in many different industries, including highly regulated fields such as healthcare, finance and insurance. Sjouwerman is the author of four books; his latest is Cyberheist: The Biggest Financial Threat Facing American Businesses Since the Meltdown of 2008.