There’s no better time to think about securing your data and devices than, well, a month dedicated to cybersecurity. This month marks the 19 years since the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency's (CISA) created Cybersecurity Awareness Month. The CISA originally created the “holiday” to educate people, promote online safety, and spread awareness about both the vulnerabilities of cyberspace and possible solutions.
In that spirit, we’ve put together some cybersecurity tips for individuals who might be unsure of how to protect their digital lives and data.
- Think Before You Click — Recognize and Report Phishing: If a link looks a little off, think before you click. It could be an attempt to get sensitive information or install malware. If you receive a suspicious email from an address you never heard of, with a link to an unknown website, don't open attachments and don't go to the website because it can be malicious. By opening the attachment, you could be installing malware on your device. This is a very popular way that criminals try to steal your information or infect your devices. As in the previous tip, if the deal is too good to be true, then just delete the email.
- Update Your Software: Don't delay — If you see a software update notification, act promptly. Better yet, turn on automatic updates to stay up-to-date on all software updates.
- Use Strong Passwords: Use passwords that are long, unique, and randomly generated. Use password managers to generate and remember different, complex passwords for each of your accounts. A passwords manager will encrypt passwords securing them for you.
- Avoid Using The Same Passwords Again and Again: If one of the websites gets compromised then all of your other accounts are at risk as well. Ideally, use a passphrase. They tend to be easier to remember and are nearly impossible to hack! Still having trouble managing different passwords? Then I'd recommend using a password manager tool to help you with maintaining your passwords. There are many available options out there (e.g., KeePass, LastPass, etc.).
- Enable Multi-Factor Authentication: You need more than a password to protect your online accounts, and enabling MFA makes you significantly less likely to get hacked.
Thank you for your support and commitment to Cybersecurity Awareness Month and helping all everyone stay safe and secure online!
Comment down below if you have any additional tips to help us all stay safe in the digital space!
