October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month. This week we will focus on tips to keep you safe online. Here are some eye-opening statistics:
- 600,000 Facebook accounts get hacked every day.
- 47 percent of American adults have had their personal information exposed by cyber criminals.
- One in three homes with computers are infected with malicious software.
- The number one cyber crime is the imposter scam, with one in five people reporting a financial loss.
Source:Department of Homeland Security
You can take steps to help secure your online safety.
- Use multi-factor authentication whenever possible. MFA adds an extra layer of security to your access to personal information.
- Don’t use public wi-fi to conduct business involving sensitive data. If possible, connect to a VPN for better protection.
- Check your privacy settings on social media sites. Share with care. Don’t share your location or other personal information.
- Keep your apps up to date or delete unused apps from your device.
- Make sure your internet connection is secure by checking for the green lock next to the URL. This will show you are using https.
- Scrutinize emails. If it seems too good to be true, then it probably isn’t. Never give your password or log in to links contained in an email. Don’t transfer money without personal verification of the sender’s request.
- Use a passphrase. Longer=stronger. A passphrase is easier to remember and harder to hack.
If you have fallen victim to a cyber crime, report it to the Department of Homeland Security.