From social media accounts to banking apps to email, people post, share and store more information online than ever before. Keeping that information safe is important, but it doesn’t have to be hard.
October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month (NCSAM), the perfect time to up your cybersecurity game by utilizing the following tips.
Double Your Login Protection
Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) to ensure the only person who can access your accounts is you. Use MFA for email, banking, social media and any other service you’d prefer cybercriminals don’t have access to.
MFA is the best step you can take to protect unauthorized access to your accounts. If you need help enabling MFA on your accounts, the National Cybersecurity Alliance recommends the site twofactorauth.org for details on how to get things up and running on popular websites and services.
If You Connect, You Must Protect
Are your internet-connected devices running the most up-to-date versions of their software? Whether it’s your computer, smartphone, gaming console or any other device, the best defense against viruses is to update to the latest software, web browser and operating systems. Sign up for automatic updates if you can.
Play Hard-to-Get with Strangers
Cybercriminals use manipulative tactics to fool potential victims. If you’re unsure who an email is from, or if the email just seems off, don’t respond or click links or attachments found in that email.
Also, limit the information you post on social media. From personal addresses to when you’re on vacation, these seemingly unimportant details are what criminals need to target you and your belongings, online and in real life.
Keep Tabs on Your Apps
Most connected appliances, toys, devices and services are supported by a mobile app. Apps running in the background on your cell phone are potentially using default privacy permissions you never realized you approved—gathering personal information and tracking data.
Check your app permissions and use the rule of least privilege to deny permissions unless you’re absolutely sure why that app needs permissions. It’s okay to say “no” to app permission prompts that don’t make sense.
To learn more about NCSAM, online safety and privacy best practices, visit staysafeonline.org.
Portions of this article courtesy of National Cybersecurity Alliance and Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA).
