Cyber dangers
Danger: When a hacker emails you instructions in the name of your client
The determination and energy of hackers knows no bounds. They show remarkable imagination and ingenuity in coming up with ever more devious ways to steal trust funds by duping lawyers. As an example of this, we have recently seen several instances where a fraudster hacked into a client’s email with the intent to divert funds… Read More »
Categories: 2016 January Indigenous, Articles, Cyber dangers, Fraud, Tech TipsDon’t get duped: 20 red flags of bad cheque fraud you should recognize
Lawyers in all areas of practice continue to be the frequent targets of bad cheque scams. These scams involve debt collections, business loans, IP licensing disputes or spousal support payments. While it appears Ontario lawyers are increasingly aware of these frauds, occasionally some are being duped into disbursing funds on a bad cheque they have… Read More »
Categories: 2015 February - LAWPRO 20th, Articles, Cyber dangers, Fraud, Practice TipsComputers running Windows XP SP3 or Office 2003 must be updated immediately
As reported widely in the media and mentioned in the December 2013 LAWPRO Magazine, Microsoft ceased supporting Windows XP SP3 (Service Pack 3) and Office 2003 (SP3) as of April 8, 2014. There will be no new security updates, non-security hotfixes, free or paid assisted support options or online technical content updates from Microsoft for… Read More »
Categories: 2014 June - Year in Review 2013, Articles, Cyber dangers, Legal Technology, Tech TipsProtecting yourself from cybercrime dangers: The steps you need to take
Cybercrime dangers are many, complex and ever-changing. Hardly a day goes by without another news report of a data breach or other cyber-related scam or theft. Cyber criminals have considerable resources and expertise, and can cause significant damage to their targets. Cyber criminals specifically target law firms as law firms regularly have funds in their… Read More »
Categories: 2013 December Cybercrime, Articles, Cyber dangers, Features, Fraud, Legal TechnologyThe LAWPRO $250,000 cybercrime coverage: What it covers and why
As of the 2014 policy year, the LAWPRO mandatory insurance program will include express coverage in the amount of $250,000 for losses related to cybercrime, as defined in the policy. This sublimit (or cap) of coverage provides a modest “safety net” for lawyers in the area of cybercrime exposure. We say modest because like the… Read More »
Categories: 2013 December Cybercrime, Articles, Cyber dangers, Errors & Omissions, LAWPRO policyCyber risk insurance options: Do you have the coverage you need?
The prevalence of cyber-related crime has been steadily increasing for a number of years. Many businesses invest heavily in the necessary IT infrastructure to protect their data, but despite best efforts and intentions, the frequent news stories in the press should serve as confirmation that breaches do occur. The cost implications of having personal or… Read More »
Categories: 2013 December Cybercrime, Articles, Cyber dangers, Disaster Planning, Errors & Omissions, Firm Management, LAWPRO policyBe ready with an incident response plan
Because a cybercrime attack can cause irreparable harm, law firms should be prepared to take action immediately. Being able to do this requires an Incident Response Plan (IRP). An effective IRP can put a firm in a position to effectively and efficiently manage a breach by protecting sensitive data, systems, and networks, and to quickly… Read More »
Categories: 2013 December Cybercrime, Articles, Cyber dangers, Disaster Planning, Features, FraudInteresting times (and cybercrimes) call for active risk reduction efforts, not just insurance coverage
Legal systems and their participants have a reputation – perhaps no longer just – for being slow to embrace technological change. But while good lawyers know that technology tools are not (at least not yet!) a full replacement for the exercise of professional judgment and the application of legal knowledge, they also know that a… Read More »
Categories: 2013 December Cybercrime, Articles, Cyber dangers, EditorialsKeeping your passwords strong and secure
Computer passwords are the keys that “unlock” our computer and network systems. We all have more passwords than we can remember. This tends to make us a bit lazy. We use obvious and easy-to-remember passwords – even the word “password” itself. Or worse: we don’t use them at all. Bad password habits are often one… Read More »
Categories: 2013 December Cybercrime, Articles, Cyber dangers, Fraud, Legal Technology, Tech TipsWould you take the bait in a phishing scam?
“Phishing” is one of the most common scams that cyber criminals use because it can produce spectacular results with very little effort or expense on the part of the hacker. Phishing involves the use of an email, text message or phone call that appears to come from a trusted source or institution, vendor or company,… Read More »
Categories: 2013 December Cybercrime, Articles, Could This Happen to You?, Cyber dangers, Legal Technology