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

Cybercrime

Simple steps to protect yourself against identity theft

Simple steps to protect yourself against identity theft

Cybercrime

Simple steps to protect yourself against identity theft

As we enter the New Year, be sure to keep up, or adopt, these good data security habits to avoid identity theft

Tony Anscombe02 Jan 20201 min. read


How To

How to secure your digital Christmas presents

How to secure your digital Christmas presents

How To

How to secure your digital Christmas presents

What are some of the key things you should do with your shiny new device as soon as you unbox it?

Tony Anscombe23 Dec 20191 min. read


Privacy

Face scanning – privacy concern or identity protection?

Face scanning – privacy concern or identity protection?

Privacy

Face scanning – privacy concern or identity protection?

What issues would face scanning attached to a mobile device resolve and, if used correctly, would it make the incursion into my privacy acceptable?

Tony Anscombe05 Dec 20193 min. read


Privacy

Do apps need all the permissions?

Do apps need all the permissions?

Privacy

Do apps need all the permissions?

Why you should ensure that all those apps on your smartphone only run with the permissions they reasonably need to do their job

Tony Anscombe02 Oct 20194 min. read


Cybercrime

The aftermath of a data breach: A personal story

The aftermath of a data breach: A personal story

Cybercrime

The aftermath of a data breach: A personal story

Criminals used my account to launder credit card transactions into cash, at least where the company transacted with was willing to refund

Tony Anscombe30 May 20196 min. read


Privacy

What the ban on facial recognition tech will – and will not – do

What the ban on facial recognition tech will – and will not – do

Privacy

What the ban on facial recognition tech will – and will not – do

As San Francisco moves to regulate the use of facial recognition systems, we reflect on some of the many ‘faces’ of the fast-growing technology

Tony Anscombe20 May 20193 min. read


Digital Security

Verizon's data breach report: What the numbers say

Verizon's data breach report: What the numbers say

Digital Security

Verizon's data breach report: What the numbers say

What are some of the most interesting takeaways from Verizon’s latest annual security report?

Tony Anscombe13 May 20193 min. read


Internet of Things

The UK plans to legislate to secure IoT, but is it really the answer?

The UK plans to legislate to secure IoT, but is it really the answer?

Internet of Things

The UK plans to legislate to secure IoT, but is it really the answer?

A reflection on whether this approach to addressing IoT security challenges can ‘deliver the goods’ and how consumer awareness can help

Tony Anscombe03 May 20194 min. read


Digital Security

What should you do with your old devices

What should you do with your old devices

Digital Security

What should you do with your old devices

Disposal of old tech requires thought and effort and the need to cleanse the device of any personal data is just one of the concerns

Tony Anscombe27 Dec 20181 min. read