October is Cybersecurity Month. This month is a great time to take precautions for cybersecurity and protect your personal information from theft or fraud.
1. KEEP YOUR SOFTWARE UP TO DATE
The best way to diminish the chances of a cyber-attack, like ransomware, is to make sure your operating system and applications are updated. Turning on automatic updates helps to patch potential vulnerabilities that hackers could use to access your device.
2. USE STRONG PASSWORDS
Strong passwords – and properly protecting them – are critical to online security. The best practice for creating a password is using eight characters with at least one lowercase letter, one uppercase letter, one number and one symbol. A general rule is to change your password at least once a year.
3. BE ALERT FOR PHISHING SCAMS
Phishing scams are common through email. The attacker poses as someone you know, such as a brand you’re familiar with, in an attempt to get you to provide personal information, clicking a malicious link or downloading an infected document. Don’t open an email from someone you don’t know, hover over a link before clicking it to see where it goes and be suspicious of all emails that come – analyze them carefully before opening.
4. DON'T USE PUBLIC WIFI
Public wi-fi is one of the ways that cybercriminals access your devices. If using public wi-fi, make sure to use a VPN, which encrypts your activity and makes it more difficult for cybercriminals to access your data and devices.
5. PROTECT YOUR PERSONAL INFO
Never share your name, address, phone number, birth date, social security number, bank account details or location online. On social media, review your privacy settings to minimize the amount of personal information that is accessible to the public.
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