4 Tips for Staying Safe in the Digital Shadows
Most people associate October with Halloween, a time for spooky fun. October is also Cybersecurity Awareness Month, a time to educate yourself on how to protect your information online.
Cybercriminals are constantly identifying and implementing new traps to lure you into giving away your personal information, money, or identity. The internet can be a scary place if you don’t know how to protect yourself.
Continue reading for four key tips to keep your data safe and sound from the malicious users lurking in the dark corners of the internet.
One of the most basic and important steps to avoid exposing personal information online is to use strong passwords. A strong password is one that is long, complex, and unique. It should not contain any personal information, common words, or patterns that are easy to guess.
A strong password should also be different for each account so that if one gets compromised, the others are still safe. One easy way to create and remember strong passwords is to use a password manager tool that generates and securely stores them for you. These tools can also help you change your passwords regularly and alert you if any of your accounts are breached.
Note: Verify with your organization’s IT security and/or compliance teams that password managers are allowed before storing any passwords related to company or client use.
Another important security tool to use is multifactor authentication (MFA). MFA, also known as two-factor authentication or two-step verification, is a method that requires you to provide more than one piece of evidence to verify your identity before accessing your account. For example, you may need to enter a code sent to your phone or email, scan your fingerprint, or use a physical device like a security key. Taking off your Halloween mask to prove it’s really you doesn’t count.
MFA adds an extra layer of protection to your account, making it harder for hackers to break in — even if they have your password. You can check if an online service you use supports MFA and learn how to enable it here: 2FA Directory.
Implement multi-factor authentication for any account that permits it, especially accounts associated with work, school, email, banking, or social media. It may seem like a lot of work, but it’s well worth the peace of mind.
Phishing is one of the most common and dangerous traps that cybercriminals use. Phishing is a type of cyberattack that uses fake emails, texts, or websites to lure you into giving away your personal or financial information or downloading malicious software. Phishing messages often look like they come from legitimate sources, such as your bank, your employer, or a trusted contact.
It can be scary to think someone may take advantage of your trust in this way, but there are steps you can take to remain vigilant. Be cautious and skeptical of any unsolicited or suspicious messages. Take a few seconds and review the contents of the message to see if it looks legitimate. Here are some signs that a message may be a phishing attempt:
If you receive a phishing message, do not reply, click on any links, or open any attachments. If the message comes to your work email address, report it to your IT security team as quickly as possible. If it comes to your personal email address, delete it from your inbox immediately.
One of the easiest ways to boost your cybersecurity is to update your software and apps regularly. Software updates are not only meant to improve the performance and functionality of your devices and applications but also to fix any security vulnerabilities that may have been discovered. Hackers can exploit these vulnerabilities to access your system and data or install malware on your device.
To prevent this from happening, you should always install the latest updates for your operating system, browser, antivirus software, and other applications as soon as they are available. You can also enable automatic updates for certain software so you don’t have to worry about missing them. Remember to only download software and updates from verified sources or your device’s official app store. And don’t forget to ensure all your devices are updated – phones, tablets, and computers!
As technology continues to evolve, it’s more important than ever that you remain vigilant in the protection of your personal information online.
By following these four tips, you can protect yourself and your data from the cybercriminals that lurk in the dark corners of the internet. Happy Halloween!
For additional resources and more information about Cybersecurity Awareness Month, visit the National Cybersecurity Alliance website.
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