October is National Cyber Security Month celebrating 15 years of government and private businesses working together to prevent data breaches, cybercrimes, and keeping people safe online. As an initiative from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the National Cyber Security Alliance, NCSAM has expanded to reach small and medium-sized businesses, educational institutions, corporations, and young people all over the United States.
Data breaches are so common that it takes extra vigilance and focus to secure personal data. As digital citizens, the goal is to safeguard our information and defend ourselves against identity theft and frauds such as debt collection, phishing scams, etc. by following some of these online practices:
5 Cyber Security Tips:
- Passionately Guard Your Personal Information
- Always look for the padlock icon in the website address bar.
- Be sure the website URL begins with “HTTPS://” the “S” stands for “secure”.
- Two-Factor Authentication
- Strongest authentication tool that requires signing in with a password and username but also a fingerprint or face for facial recognition.
- Keep Hackers Out
- Turn off your computer or laptop when not in use, don’t just log off.
- Update Machines-Keep Them Infection Free
- Consumers and Businesses must make sure that all of their devices are optimized with the latest security software.
- Regular updates will reduce the risk of viruses, online threats and malware.
- Use Caution when Clicking and Sharing
- Cyber criminals will steal personal information when users are clicking and sharing social media posts, email links and online advertising.
- Always best to research first or most effective delete it before sharing it.
Computers Nationwide understands the risk your company and employees face everyday. Cybersecurity Awareness Month reinforces just how important it is for us to protect all of our internet-connected systems, including hardware, software and data, from cyber-attacks.
