Cybersecurity Awareness
October 2, 2024
October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, so let’s discuss some of the best ways you can protect yourself online. The Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has chosen the theme of ‘Secure Our World’ to promote ongoing cybersecurity habits and safe behavior online. The top four tips they offer for staying safe online include:
- Use strong passwords: Characterized by long, random, and unique characters, with a mix of uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols.
- Enable multi-factor authentication: Lowers the chances of getting hacked, as it requires users to take an extra step to log in after providing their username and password. Authentication is commonly received through text or email.
- Spot and report phishing attempts: Unsolicited messages asking for personal information are a common sign of phishing. Do not share your personal information or click on any links found in these messages.
- Keep your software up to date: Regularly check for updates if you have not enabled automatic updates on your device.
Google adds to this list by reminding users to only use secure networks when connecting to public or free Wi-Fi. Do not continue using the network if the browser indicates it is not secure, as others will potentially be able to see the information you provide on the sites you visit. Following these tips will help protect you from many of the scams that are out there today.