A big part of financial security is Cybersecurity Awareness Month during October, and it’s the perfect time to review and reinforce basic online safety practices. With digital threats becoming increasingly sophisticated, it’s crucial to stay vigilant and follow simple steps to keep your information and accounts secure. Here are some essential do’s and don’ts to help your protect your online presence. These practical tips can make a big difference in safeguarding your personal data and devices. Ditch the Post-Its- Don’t save your passwords in a text file on your computer or on a post-it near your workspace.
- Do use a secure password vault or password manager to store your passwords. These tools encrypt your data and are much safer than keeping passwords in unprotected places.
- Do use an automatic screensaver with password protection that activates after 5-10 minutes if your computer is in a shared space – and don’t walk away without locking it.
Get Ready for Holiday Roaming- Don’t neglect basic security when away from your office or home.
- Do use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) when on public Wi-Fi any device.
- Do enable multifactor authentication (MFA) on all your devices and online accounts. MFA adds an extra layer of protection by requiring more than just a password to log in.
Run Those System Updates- Don’t ignore those pesky system update notifications.
- Do run updates as soon as they are available. They often include critical security patches that help protect against new vulnerabilities – and can improve system performance.
Be Savvy – the Bad Guys Are- Don’t fall for phishing scams. Cybercriminals are becoming more convincing and clever in their tactics.
- Do keep your cybersecurity instincts sharp. Be cautious with suspicious emails or texts. Always mouse over links to check their legitimacy, and if you’re unsure about the source of an email, especially from a financial institution contact them directly rather than responding.
Know What to Do Just In Case- Don’t ignore any suspicious activity while online.
- Do report incidents immediately. Managed by CISA (Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency), US-CERT provides a portal to report phishing, malware, and vulnerabilities. The FTC (Federal Trade Commission) also offers a platform to report phishing scams and other fraud related issues stemming from a cyber incident Prompt reporting can prevent larger security breaches and help protect others as well.
In a world where cyberattacks are constantly evolving, understanding the basics of cybersecurity can help reduce your risk. By following these straightforward Do’s and Don’ts, you can help protect yourself, your family, and your workplace from potential cyber threats. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the office. |
