Fort
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As groundbreaking leaders in personal security and risk management for travelers, we stand ready to equip and serve as you are called to the ends of the Earth.
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ARE YOU PREPARED?
Faith-based guidance and practice in prevention, protection, interaction, and survival
Vertical Divider
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Collaborative workshops on assessing risks, mitigating crises, and managing contingencies
Vertical Divider
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Partner together to provide 24/7 emergency access, consultation, and threat analysis
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~ Most people traveling overseas on mission trips take out insurance policies that cover sickness, death and evacuations. How are these policies being affected by the corona-virus outbreak? ~ US government assistance is being increasingly limited. What changes are the US Department of State putting into place? ~ Can a worldwide pandemic cause harassment toward foreign travelers? What should you be preparing for? <Read the 1-page summary here> |
NEWS FOR YOU
FRESH NEW SCAM ALERT!
We’ve all been hearing a lot about contact tracing recently. You know, the process of identifying people who have come in contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 and then making sure they quarantine while monitoring their symptoms. Surprise! It’s created an opportunity for a new scam. In this case, the scammer poses as a COVID-19 contact tracer. Unlike legitimate contact tracing text messages — which only inform the person that they will be receiving a call — the fake texts ask the recipient to click a link. This link then infects the person's phone with a virus allowing scammers to access their personal and banking information. Other times the fake tracer will call and ask for personal information, like a Social Security number or credit card information. So as to “verify” you. <Roll eyes here> Don’t fall for it. Clicking on the link will invariably download malware onto your device that will give scammers full access to your personal and financial information. 1. Many phones or providers have an option to filter and block messages from unknown senders or spam. You may want to turn that feature on. 2. Utilize multi-factor authentication. Requiring two or more credentials to log in to your account, will make it harder for scammers to log in to your accounts if they do get your username and password. 3. Make sure your data is backed up, so you don’t lose valuable information to ransomware. 
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TIPS & ADVICE
Trip to Hong Kong? Be Prepared!
There is an increased risk of detention and deportation for non-permanent residents who commit offenses under a new law. Additionally, due to recent heightened political sensitivity, there could be an increase in protests and violence.
What New Law?
A new national security law, initiated on July 1, that gives Beijing broad powers to crack down on political dissent against the Chinese Communist Party in Hong Kong. It specifically criminalizes “secession, subversion, organization and perpetration of terrorist activities, and collusion with a foreign country or with external elements to endanger national security.” That’s a mouthful right? Vague? Yes!
Quite possibly a recipe for broad application of the law, one that also carries steep penalties, including up to life imprisonment for the most serious offenses.
Key Takeaways?
1. The focus includes non-permanent residents and foreign travelers
2. Many actions and conversations can be construed as “subversive” or “collusive” so be wise with your words.
3. Another reason to take B+ training!!
Do you always feel like somebody's watching you?
ENTER STALKER-WARE
What is it?
Stalker-ware is software installed on your device that can track your daily activities like intercepting text or phone calls, accessing your location, and logging your web browsing activity. While there are tracking apps that are used for legitimate purposes like keeping tabs on children, there are those who use the readily available software to gather private intel. The most common way of being victimized is following or clicking on links in your email or social media from senders that are suspicious or that you are unaware of.
How do you find it?
Open your phone's settings and take a look at the apps you have installed, or are running in the background. Is there anything that you don't recognize, even something as innocent-looking as a calculator app or a parental controls app that you can't remember installing? If you see something out of place, go to to a different device, and search the name of the app. Usually, that will give you a lot of information, including whether or not the app in question does what it's claiming to do.
How do you get rid of it?
Using your phone settings, remove all permissions of the app in question, and then delete the app. As always, it is highly advised to have robust malware and virus detection/prevention software running. Some may also choose to conduct a factory reset of the phone. This will restore your device to the way it was when you originally bought it, including removing all accounts and apps that were installed after its purchase. Make sure you save any important pictures, files, and encryption keys that aren't backed up anywhere else before you factory reset! Happy Hunting :-)
ENTER STALKER-WARE
What is it?
Stalker-ware is software installed on your device that can track your daily activities like intercepting text or phone calls, accessing your location, and logging your web browsing activity. While there are tracking apps that are used for legitimate purposes like keeping tabs on children, there are those who use the readily available software to gather private intel. The most common way of being victimized is following or clicking on links in your email or social media from senders that are suspicious or that you are unaware of.
How do you find it?
Open your phone's settings and take a look at the apps you have installed, or are running in the background. Is there anything that you don't recognize, even something as innocent-looking as a calculator app or a parental controls app that you can't remember installing? If you see something out of place, go to to a different device, and search the name of the app. Usually, that will give you a lot of information, including whether or not the app in question does what it's claiming to do.
How do you get rid of it?
Using your phone settings, remove all permissions of the app in question, and then delete the app. As always, it is highly advised to have robust malware and virus detection/prevention software running. Some may also choose to conduct a factory reset of the phone. This will restore your device to the way it was when you originally bought it, including removing all accounts and apps that were installed after its purchase. Make sure you save any important pictures, files, and encryption keys that aren't backed up anywhere else before you factory reset! Happy Hunting :-)
