Advanced Strategies for Staying Ahead of Evolving Cyber Threats

Welcome to Part 2 of our cybersecurity series. In Part 1, we covered the fundamentals of cyber hygiene—everything from password management to securing your devices and inner circle. Now, we shift our focus to more advanced strategies that address emerging threats and help you plan for the unexpected.

As cyber risks grow in sophistication, proactive protection becomes essential for preserving your wealth, privacy, and peace of mind.

6.  Extend Cybersecurity to Your Inner Circle

Cybersecurity is only as strong as its weakest link.

• Ensure family members and assistants are following basic security practices like the ones described in Part 1.
• Vet third-party professionals and vendors for their cybersecurity practices—especially those with access to financial or personal data.
• Avoid sending Social Security numbers, passwords, or account credentials over unsecure channels like email or SMS.
• For iPhone users, be aware that iMessage is encrypted and more secure than SMS, but not ideal for highly sensitive data. If the recipient is on Android, or there’s a network issue, iMessage can fall back to SMS—without warning.
• If you need to send private information to a professional advisor, ask them to offer a secure delivery method such as a password-protected document or encrypted file-sharing portal.

7.  Have a Cybersecurity Incident Plan

Even the best defenses can be breached—what matters is how quickly and effectively you respond.

• Know who to contact in a crisis: your financial advisor, IT provider, attorney, and cyber insurance carrier.
• Back up critical data regularly, and verify your ability to restore it.
• Consider personal or business cyber insurance policies to help mitigate financial losses and response costs.

8.  Protect Your Mobile Number

Your phone number can be the key to your digital identity and a target for attackers.

• Enable number locking (a.k.a. Port Freeze or SIM Lock) with your mobile carrier if available. This service is typically free and prevents someone from fraudulently transferring your number to another SIM card.
• Set a strong PIN or password on your wireless account.
• Check your carrier’s website for specific instructions (AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, Xfinity, etc.).

9.  Be Aware of Emerging Threats Like Voice Cloning and Deepfakes

Attackers are now using AI to convincingly impersonate voices and faces.

• Voice cloning tools now allow attackers to recreate someone’s voice using just a few seconds of audio—like a voicemail or social media clip. This has been used in scams where a “loved one” calls sounding panicked or in distress.
• Deepfake videos can simulate real-time video calls that appear legitimate, especially in high-pressure scenarios.

What you can do:

• Establish a family passphrase: Choose a simple, memorable word or phrase known only to close family members. If someone calls claiming to be in trouble, you can ask for the passphrase to confirm their identity.
• Limit what’s publicly shared: Avoid posting personal audio, video, or sensitive family details online where attackers could harvest them.

• Be cautious in high-emotion situations: If you receive a call or message urging immediate action—especially involving money or secrecy—take a moment to verify it through another method.

Take Action Today to Protect Your Digital Life

Cybersecurity is a critical aspect of wealth protection that often gets overlooked. By following these essential steps, you can significantly reduce your vulnerability to digital threats. Don’t wait for an incident to occur—start strengthening your cybersecurity today. Stay informed, stay secure, and make your digital life as resilient as your financial one.

If you missed the first part of this series, check it out here to start with the foundational cybersecurity strategies.

This article is provided by MKD Wealth for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or legal advice. Cybersecurity is a complex and evolving field—guidance is subject to change as new threats and technologies emerge. MKD Wealth does not receive compensation from tools or platforms mentioned and makes no guarantees regarding the performance or security of third-party tools.