From the Better Business Bureau of Central East Texas:

Better Business Bureau (BBB) Serving Central East Texas is cautioning consumers about an email notifying recipients about a “friend’s” upcoming funeral. The email further instructs the recipient to click a link to view more details about the invitation and the ceremony.  BBB is advising consumers that this is a bogus invitation intended to download malware to the recipient’s computer.  If installed, this malware may connect the infected computer to a botnet and install further malware.

BBB contacted the funeral home, who indicated they were aware of the malicious emails, but were not aware where they originated. It is believed the individual(s) sending the emails hijacked what sounded like a trustworthy business name. The company has since placed a notice on their website.

From the Better Business Bureau of Central East Texas:

We’ve been hearing a lot about data breaches lately. We know they can be accidental - like the loss of a laptop computer containing unencrypted files - they can also be deliberate, like a criminal hacking incident. Last week, BBB provided some preventive tips for consumers. This week, we’ll take a look at what businesses can do to prevent an attack and protect their customers’ sensitive information.   

“Security is a major concern for businesses, especially when adopting new technologies involving business data”, said Mechele Agbayani Mills, President and CEO of BBB Serving Central East Texas. “While there is no fail-safe guarantee that a data-breach will never occur, there are many ways companies can minimize their risk.”

BBB provides the following basic guidelines to businesses to reduce their risk for a data breach:

From the Better Business Bureau of Central East Texas:

With data breaches fresh on our minds, BBB reminds consumers of the following basic identity theft prevention tips. While companies are responding much more quickly to a data breach, identity theft continues to be a major concern.

“Reports indicate that identity theft incidents increased by more than one million victims last year”, said Mechele Agbayani Mills, President and CEO of BBB Serving Central East Texas. “We want to remind consumers that although identity theft continues to run rampant today, following some fundamental guidelines can greatly decrease your chances of becoming a victim.”

BBB provides the following basic tips to help prevent identity thieves from choosing you as a target: