Cybersecurity starts with YOU and is everyone’s responsibility.

Do Your Part. Be Cyber Smart.  

Protect Your Personal and Confidential Information

1.                 Use Multi-Factor Authentication when possible.

2.                 Use Complex Passwords.

3.                 Keep Software and Computers Up-to-date.  

4.                 If You Connect it, Protect it.

5.                 Beware of Strangers Online.

6.                 Don’t Overshare on Social Media.

7.                 Control Your Apps and Their Permissions.

8.                 Stay protected while connected.

See below for more information.

Be Cyber Smart about protecting your personal and confidential information.  Don’t become a victim of cybercrime.

Simple Tips on Cybersecurity

•  Be Careful with Social Media. Limit the information you post on social media.  Your personal activities, job title, company name, names of special friends/kids/pets, where you like to grab a coffee, and sharing details about your vacations.  Many people don’t realize that these seemingly random details are all that criminals need to know to target you, your home, your work, and your loved ones.  Keep Social Security numbers, account numbers, and passwords private, as well as specific information about yourself, such as your full name, address, birthday, general personal details, and even vacation plans. Disable location services that allow anyone to see where you are—and where you aren’t—at any time. 

•  Use Secure Wi-Fi. Before you connect to any public wireless hotspot, such as at an airport, hotel, or café, be sure to confirm the name of the network and exact login procedures with appropriate staff to ensure that the network is legitimate.  If you use an unsecured public access point, practice good Internet hygiene by avoiding sensitive activities (e.g., banking) requiring passwords or credit cards.  Your personal hotspot is often a safer alternative to free Wi-Fi. Only use sites that begin with [https://] when online shopping or banking.  Use an approved VPN solution.

•  Play hard to get with strangers. Cybercriminals use phishing tactics, hoping to fool their victims.  If you’re unsure who an email is from—even if the details appear accurate— or if the email looks “phishy,” do not respond and do not click on any links or attachments found in that email.

•  Control Your Apps. Only download apps from trusted vendors and sources that you absolutely need.  Most connected appliances, toys, and devices are supported by a mobile application.  Your mobile device becomes filled with apps that run in the background watching your every move.  These apps use excessive default permissions you never realized you approved—gathering your personal information without your knowledge while also putting your identity and privacy at risk.  Check your app permissions, remove any that are excessive and delete what you don’t need.  Learn to say “no” to privilege requests that don’t make sense. 

•  If You Connect it, Protect it. Whether it’s your computer, smartphone, game device, or other network devices, the best defense against viruses and malware is to update to the latest security software, web browser, and operating systems. Sign up for automatic updates, use local and network firewalls and protect your devices with anti-virus software. 

•  Use Multi-Factor Authentication. Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) to ensure that you are the only person who has access to your account. 

•  Reset Your Passwords. Use the longest password or passphrase possible.  Don’t let your password mirror information you have divulged publicly, at any point in history, such as social media.  Ensure you create a new password for each website.  This can prevent cybercriminals from gaining access to your accounts and protect you in the event of a breach. Use password managers to generate and remember different, complex passwords for each of your accounts. 

•  Keep Software and Computers Up-to-date. Software and computer hardware change quickly, requiring regular maintenance to enable minimum levels of security.  Keep your software and computers updated to the latest version available.  Turn on automatic updates whenever possible.  

Additional Education Resources.

• 5 Ways to Protect Your Online Privacy  McAfee
• Protect Your Personal Information and Data  U.S. Federal Trade Commission
• 5 Ways to Help Protect Your Personal Information Online  Norton
• 11 ways to help protect yourself against cybercrime  Norton
• Identity Theft  USA.gov