Cybersecurity Awareness

Cybersecurity Awareness:  Tips to Help you Protect your Personal Information

Here are some key tips to help you protect your personal information and stay alert for potential threats.

Strong Passwords and Password Managers

Creating a strong password is the foundation of securing your online accounts. It is recommended to use a different password on various websites. Password managers can simplify this process by securely storing unique passwords in an encrypted vault that only you (and those you trust) can access. With a password manager, you only need to remember one master password, while the tool handles the rest.

Social Media

Stay safe on social media. In today’s world of Artificial Intelligence (AI), there are countless fake and impersonated accounts. These accounts may send friend requests or reply to your messages in an attempt to engage with you. Even platforms like LinkedIn use algorithms to pull public information and create profiles, which may not be accurate or authorized by the individual they claim to represent. Always verify the authenticity of accounts before interacting.

Multi-Factor Authentication

Multi-factor authentication (MFA), also known as two-factor authentication (2FA), adds an extra layer of security to protect your accounts. MFA is commonly used for banking, medical, and shopping websites, among others. Whenever MFA is available, enable it to prevent unauthorized access and better protect your information.

Think Before You Click

Malicious links in email, texts, posts, and social media messages are a quick way for hackers to get your information. Be wary of clicking on links or downloading anything that comes from a stranger or that you were not expecting. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Before you click, take the time to look for red flags that make the message suspicious.

Report Phishing

One of the best ways to take down cybercriminals is by reporting phishing attempts, and nowadays it’s easier than ever. If the email came to your work email address, report it to your IT manager or security team as quickly as possible. If you’re at home and the email came to your personal email address, do not click on any links (even the unsubscribe link) or reply to the email. Most email programs and social media platforms allow you to report phishing attempts. But don’t keep that phishing message and delete it ASAP. You can further protect yourself by blocking the sender from your email program, social media platform or phone.

Identity Theft Protection: Freeze Your Credit

In August 2024, 2.9 billion personal records containing full names, current and past addresses, Social Security Numbers, dates of birth, and phone numbers were breached from National Public Data. It is likely that your personal information is out there. You can contact the three major credit agencies, Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion, to freeze or lock your credit to protect yourself from identity theft.

Share these tips with your friends, family, and coworkers to help ensure that we are all protecting ourselves from cyber-threats.