Phil Muncaster

Phil Muncaster

IT Journalist


Phil has been an IT journalist for over 16 years. He started out as a reporter on UK enterprise IT title IT Week and then Computing in 2005 and moved up to the role of News Editor before leaving to pursue a freelance career. Since then, Phil has written for titles including The Register, where he worked as Asia correspondent from Hong Kong for over two years, MIT Technology Review, SC Magazine, and others. In addition to contributing to WeLiveSecurity, he also writes for InfoSecurity Magazine, IDG Connect and a range of other IT news and feature sites.


207 articles by Phil Muncaster

That data breach alert might be a trap

That data breach alert might be a trap

That data breach alert might be a trap

Ignoring a real breach notification invites risk, but falling for a bogus one could be even worse. Stop reacting on autopilot.

Phil Muncaster17 Apr 20265 min. read


Recovery scammers hit you when you’re down: Here’s how to avoid a second strike

Recovery scammers hit you when you’re down: Here’s how to avoid a second strike

Recovery scammers hit you when you’re down: Here’s how to avoid a second strike

If you’ve been a victim of fraud, you’re likely already a lead on a ‘sucker list’ – and if you’re not careful, your ordeal may be about to get worse.

Phil Muncaster10 Apr 20265 min. read


As breakout time accelerates, prevention-first cybersecurity takes center stage

As breakout time accelerates, prevention-first cybersecurity takes center stage

As breakout time accelerates, prevention-first cybersecurity takes center stage

Threat actors are using AI to supercharge tried-and-tested TTPs. When attacks move this fast, cyber-defenders need to rethink their own strategy.

Phil Muncaster07 Apr 20264 min. read


Digital assets after death: Managing risks to your loved one’s digital estate

Digital assets after death: Managing risks to your loved one’s digital estate

Digital assets after death: Managing risks to your loved one’s digital estate

Fraudsters often target the accounts of the deceased or their grieving relatives. Here’s how to keep the scammers at bay.

Phil Muncaster01 Apr 20265 min. read


Protecting education: How MDR can tip the balance in favor of schools

Protecting education: How MDR can tip the balance in favor of schools

Protecting education: How MDR can tip the balance in favor of schools

The education sector is notoriously short on cash, but rich in assets for threat actors to target. How can managed detection and response (MDR) help learning institutions regain the initiative?

Phil Muncaster04 Mar 20265 min. read


Mobile app permissions (still) matter more than you may think

Mobile app permissions (still) matter more than you may think

Mobile app permissions (still) matter more than you may think

Start using a new app and you’ll often be asked to grant it permissions. But blindly accepting them could expose you to serious privacy and security risks.

Phil Muncaster27 Feb 20265 min. read


Faking it on the phone: How to tell if a voice call is AI or not

Faking it on the phone: How to tell if a voice call is AI or not

Faking it on the phone: How to tell if a voice call is AI or not

Can you believe your ears? Increasingly, the answer is no. Here’s what’s at stake for your business, and how to beat the deepfakers.

Phil Muncaster23 Feb 20264 min. read


Is Poshmark safe? How to buy and sell without getting scammed

Is Poshmark safe? How to buy and sell without getting scammed

Is Poshmark safe? How to buy and sell without getting scammed

Like any other marketplace, the social commerce platform has its share of red flags. It pays to know what to look for so you can shop or sell without headaches.

Phil Muncaster19 Feb 20265 min. read


Is it OK to let your children post selfies online?

Is it OK to let your children post selfies online?

Is it OK to let your children post selfies online?

When it comes to our children’s digital lives, prohibition rarely works. It’s our responsibility to help them build a healthy relationship with tech.

Phil Muncaster17 Feb 20264 min. read