October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month

Cybersecurity Awareness month is here! Here are a few key steps to maintain tight security while online.

Cybersecurity Awareness Month is essential today as the nation is becoming more digital, and access to mobile devices and the Internet is growing. Without understanding how safety online happens and who to watch out for – like hackers, fraudsters, and spies, everyone is in danger.

Each year October is set aside as a time dedicated to National Cybersecurity Awareness Month (NCSAM) and focuses on maintaining safety online. This year is perhaps one of the pinnacle times for this awareness to be highlighted as more and more people use the online channel to work, shop, learn, and even receive care.

Now in its 17th year, the theme for 2020 is, “Do Your Part. #BeCyberSmart.” It emphasizes the need for each individual to own up to their online safety and take the proper steps to protect their identity online. This means understanding the risks and practicing the right safety steps to keep devices secure.

Here are a few critical steps to maintaining security while online.

Protect Your Personal Information 

The best way to protect yourself online is to be careful about what you share. Not just on social media, but also on forms you fill out and purchases you make. You should always be mindful of what you’re entering online about yourself. Never give away key data like your social security number.

Be Mindful When Browsing & Clicking

In addition to being careful about the things you say online, you should pay attention to the sites you’re browsing and the links you’re clicking. One of the most common ways for fraudsters to steal your information or hack into your computer is through an illegitimate website or spam link. It could come through your inbox appearing to be from an actual business you know or seem to be the correct website you should be using. Still, a few things can warn you that something is not right, such as long, awkward links, redirecting pages, and the lack of security seals in the website’s footer. 

Button Up Your Security Practices

Another critical piece to the security puzzle regarding technology and being connected online is security software and practices. Always shred documents you’ve printed or received with personal information on them, use hard to guess passwords, change them frequently. Remember to check that software which scans for viruses or other malicious code is up to date and working correctly.

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Cybersecurity Awareness Month

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