Every day it seems like theres a new breach, a password to reset, or vulnerability.
Lets break down whats worth paying attention to, and what you could ignore when you see it.
If youre an enthusiast or security professional, you probably have blogs and names you follow and trust.
Heres what you should look out for.
Regardless of your level of tech-savvy, these are the headlines that should make you read deeper.
If its a service you havent used in ages, change the password or shut the account.
check that you change those passwords and monitor your credit reports and statements.
Reports of identity theft at places you shop.
This ones a little more sinister.
Broad trends and security news from trusted, consumer-focused experts.
Everyone should also learn, in general, how to protect their security and privacy online.
Then, once youve found one source like that, find a few more, and read multiple opinions.
Consumer tech sites likePCMag,Cnet, and others with dedicated security editors are a good start.
You should still be skeptical of course.
The same rules apply here as toanything else on the internet.
Thats how the industry worksmoney and prestige go where the big, banner, scary threats and vulnerabilities are.
Verify what you read with other good sources.
Specific industry trends and widely-encompassing issues like Heartbleed and Shellshock.
Independent security findings and publications from trustworthy threat response experts.
You listen to podcasts likeSecurity Nowevery week.
If youre reading Lifehacker, its a semi-safe bet that you fall into at least some of the above.
For example,this CNBC piece we mentioned earlieris just awful.
Long story short, your BS sensor is your best friend.
In no time at all youll be able to separate the security wheat from the scaremongering chaff.
