Practical Tips to Keep You Safe

We live in a digital world, so keeping your personal information secure and understanding the tools fraudsters use to commit crimes is critical.

October is cybersecurity awareness month. Let's review a few tips to consider whether you are browsing the world wide web or working hard on any device.

1. You are a target! Even the techiest person can fail when it comes to hackers. 

2. Click with caution. Malware is lurking everywhere; use caution when you are on an unknown site. Don't download without knowing who or what you're getting from within email or online. When in doubt, don't click it.

3. Beware of suspicious scams. Phishing scams can be through social media, email, text, or phone calls. They seek personal information in unsuspecting ways. Use caution with what you post and share. Avoid using personal or financial information with anyone you don't know or within social platforms.

4. Use strong passwords and manage them wisely. Every time we turn around you need a new password which makes it tempting to reuse the same one over and over. Consider using a password manager for strong unique passwords.

5. Stay up-to-date on software. Don't avoid updating systems when prompted. Common browsers receive frequent, automatic security updates. Turn on operating system updates also.

6. Close out or log out of devices when not in use. Don't leave your phone, desktop, laptop or tablet sit without closing it and that goes for browsers as well. 

7. Keep protected data safe and back it up. Personal data such as credit cards, driver's licenses, SSN's, or other information should not be left on any device. Remove and back up sensitive data to a protected flash drive or external hard drive.

8. Use an antivirus program. Install only known and trusted protection programs.