October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month. This year, arm yourself and your family with cybersecurity awareness resources and tips so you can keep your digital world safe. This month is a reminder to stay aware, review, and enhance cybersecurity both at home and at work. Here are a few of the security measures you can take:
1. Update passwords
Creating strong passwords is one of the easiest and most effective ways to increase cybersecurity, and it doesn’t cost anything. Use a unique, creative, and long password for every account, and to avoid including any common words. Practicing good password habits may be inconvenient, but it can be the difference between giving cybercriminals access to several of your accounts versus just one. Utilize our Password Manager to make this even easier so you don’t have to store many long passwords in your head.
2. Review your social media settings
From photos to status updates, criminals can access and misuse nearly anything that’s shared on social media. For example, if your posts are open for public viewing, a criminal can comb through your page to find answers to common security questions, like your birth date or mother’s maiden name. As a rule of thumb, avoid sharing personal addresses and phone numbers, and refrain from sharing vacation plans or photos until after a trip is over.
Go a step further and review your security settings on all social media accounts. Be sure to turn off location services and geotagging if they are not already disabled. Using social media with caution is always important, but the best defense is enabling automatic updates for web browsers, social media apps and operating systems. Doing so ensures that you’ll have the most up-to-date cyber protection as soon as it's available.
3. Practice safety while shopping online
Whether it's for back-to-school necessities or holiday gifts, online shopping can be more convenient. Unfortunately, shopping online also makes it easier for cybercriminals to steal your personal information.
False promotional ads and fake websites are common tactics used to scam online shoppers. They often appeal to victims with offers that are too good to pass up. The best way to stay safe is to avoid visiting any site or clicking any link that seems questionable.
Here are some red flags to look out for:
- Rewards offered in return for filling out personal information
- Prizes that require an up-front fee
- Ultra-low prices on brand-name or luxury items
- Websites offering work-from-home opportunities only
- Vendors that request payment with a preloaded gift card, money order, or wire transfer
If a company is unfamiliar, try looking up reviews, finding their physical address or calling the merchant to verify it's a legitimate business. As always, reviewing your bank and credit card statements, as well as credit reports, can help you keep an eye out for information that has been compromised.
Ensuring your safety while online is a big priority, make sure you take the time for your own peace of mind and pass these tips on to your family.
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