Tony Anscombe

Tony Anscombe

Chief Security Evangelist


Education: Cobol and Fortran programming, it was a long time ago.

Highlights of your career: Appearing on the BBC News, the live appearance was regarding an article about a hacker that was 12 years old and stealing game data. The cool part was that it remained the number one article on the BBC News app for four days, it seemed that just about everyone I know saw it! The only thing that could top this is to be on Good Morning America or on the BBC Breakfast sofa.

What malware do you hate the most: Potentially unwanted applications, deceiving consumers and destroying their computer is wrong.

Favorite activities: Motorbikes, cycling, concerts and family (not in that order).

What is your golden rule for cyberspace: Don’t get sucked in and addicted to the world of social media, and never post pictures of food.

When did you get your first computer, favorite computer game/activity: My first computer was a Sinclair ZX81 Spectrum, back around 1983/4. It was my first introduction to programming and inspired me to go to college and learn how to code. As for a favorite game, my son and I play two games frequently, Driver (Xbox) and Fifa (PS4), it is a very competitive pastime and not good for my blood pressure.


85 articles by Tony Anscombe

Scams

Deepfakes – the bot made me do it

Deepfakes – the bot made me do it

Scams

Deepfakes – the bot made me do it

As deepfakes become indistinguishable from reality and the potential for the misuse of synthetic content is virtually endless, what can you do to avoid falling victim to deepfake fraud?

Tony Anscombe10 Aug 20213 min. read


Digital Security

Black Hat 2021: Lessons from a lawyer

Black Hat 2021: Lessons from a lawyer

Digital Security

Black Hat 2021: Lessons from a lawyer

Why companies and their security teams need to engage with a lawyer before an incident occurs

Tony Anscombe06 Aug 20213 min. read


Privacy

Is your personal information being abused?

Is your personal information being abused?

Privacy

Is your personal information being abused?

Drowning in spam? A study presented at Black Hat USA 2021 examines if sharing your personal information with major companies contributes to the deluge of nuisance emails, texts and phone calls.

Tony Anscombe05 Aug 20213 min. read


Ransomware

Ransomware: To pay or not to pay? Legal or illegal? These are the questions …

Ransomware: To pay or not to pay? Legal or illegal? These are the questions …

Ransomware

Ransomware: To pay or not to pay? Legal or illegal? These are the questions …

Caught between a rock and a hard place, many ransomware victims cave in to extortion demands. Here’s what might change the calculus.

Tony Anscombe08 Jul 202115 min. read


Mobile Security

Take action now – FluBot malware may be on its way

Take action now – FluBot malware may be on its way

Mobile Security

Take action now – FluBot malware may be on its way

Why FluBot is a major threat for Android users, how to avoid falling victim, and how to get rid of the malware if your device has already been compromised

Tony Anscombe17 May 20213 min. read


Less Technical

Does data stolen in a data breach expire?

Does data stolen in a data breach expire?

Less Technical

Does data stolen in a data breach expire?

Some personal information just doesn’t age – here’s what the Facebook data leak may mean for you

Tony Anscombe08 Apr 20214 min. read


Kids Online

What’s your attitude to parental controls?

What’s your attitude to parental controls?

Kids Online

What’s your attitude to parental controls?

Nobody said parenting was easy, but in the digital age it comes with a whole slew of new challenges. How do parents view the role of parental monitoring in children's online safety?

Tony Anscombe15 Jan 20214 min. read


Scams

Would you take the bait? Take our phishing quiz to find out!

Would you take the bait? Take our phishing quiz to find out!

Scams

Would you take the bait? Take our phishing quiz to find out!

Is the message real or fake? Take our Phishing Derby quiz to find out how much you know about phishing.

Tony Anscombe31 Dec 20201 min. read


How To

Smart tech gifts: How to keep your kids and family safe

Smart tech gifts: How to keep your kids and family safe

How To

Smart tech gifts: How to keep your kids and family safe

Cyberthreats can take the fun out of connected gadgets – here's how to make sure your children enjoy the tech without putting themselves or their family at risk

Tony Anscombe25 Dec 20201 min. read