October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month. A recent resurgence of the “You are in this video” attack on Facebook prompted me to post some tips to stay safe online. These tips are lifted from a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) pamphlet:
- When in doubt, throw it out: Links in email and online posts are often the way
cyber criminals compromise your computer. If it looks suspicious – even if you know
the source – it’s best to delete or, if appropriate, mark it as “junk email.” Contact the
company directly (via phone) to be sure the email is not legitimate. - Think before you act: Be wary of communications that implore you to act
immediately, offer something that sounds too good to be true, or ask for personal
information. - Use stronger authentication: Always opt to enable stronger authentication when
available, especially for accounts with sensitive information including your email or
bank accounts. A stronger authentication helps verify a user has authorized access
to an online account. For example, it could be a one-time PIN texted to a mobile
device, providing an added layer of security beyond the password and username.
Visit www.lockdownyourlogin.com for more information on stronger authentication. - Make passwords long and strong: Combine capital and lowercase letters with
numbers and symbols to create a more secure password. - Install and update anti-virus software: Make sure all of your computers are
equipped with regularly updated antivirus software, firewalls, email filters, and anti-spyware. - Be wary of hyperlinks: Avoid clicking on hyperlinks in emails; type the URL directly
into the address bar instead. If you choose to click on a link, ensure it is authentic
before clicking on it. You can check a hyperlinked word or URL by hovering the
cursor over it to reveal the full address.
For more tips, news, and ideas, visit the National Cyber Security Alliance website StaySafeOnline. Stay safe out there, people!