Why Be Smart
The month of October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month. More than ever, consumers now spend more time on the Internet. With every social media account you sign up for, every picture you post, and every status you update, you share information about yourself with the world. How can you be proactive and do your part?
Did You Know?
In 2020, a staggering 3.81 billion people worldwide were active on social media, marking a significant 9% increase from the previous year. This means that nearly half of the world’s population is now part of social networks, which underlines the global scale of the cybersecurity challenge.
According to the (IC3), in 2019, the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center received a staggering 467,361 complaints of suspected Internet crime, resulting in reported losses exceeding 3.5 billion dollars. This financial toll underscores the real-world consequences of cybercrime.
Since 2004, the President of the United States and Congress have declared October to be Cybersecurity Awareness Month, a month during which the public and private sectors work together to raise awareness about the importance of cybersecurity.
Over the years, it has grown into a collaborative effort between government and industry to enhance cybersecurity awareness, encourage actions by the public to reduce online risk, and generate discussion on cyber threats on a national and global scale. October 2024 marks the 21st Cybersecurity Awareness Month.
With digital consumers spending nearly 3 hours daily on social networks and messaging, it’s crucial to remain vigilant. You can connect confidently and safely by taking simple steps, ensuring your safety on social media.
Simple Tips
If you connect it, protect it. Whether it’s your computer, laptop, smartphone, tablet, game device, or other network device, the best defense against viruses and malware is updating the latest security software, web browser, and operating systems. Sign up for automatic updates and protect your devices with anti-virus software. Read the Phishing Tip Sheet for more information.
Four Ways to Stay Safe Online
Recognize & Report Phishing
Be cautious of unsolicited messages asking for personal information. Avoid sharing sensitive information or credentials with unknown sources. Report phishing attempts and delete the message.
What is Phishing? the fraudulent practice of sending emails or other messages purporting to be from reputable companies to induce individuals to reveal personal information, such as passwords and credit card numbers
Use Strong Passwords
Strong passwords are long, random, and unique, including all four character types (uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols). Password managers are powerful tools for helping you create strong passwords for each of your accounts.
Turn On MFA
It would help if you had more than a password to protect your online accounts, and enabling MFA makes you significantly less likely to get hacked. Enable MFA on all your online accounts that offer it, especially email, social media, and financial accounts.
What is MFA? Multi-factor authentication, or MFA, is a more secure way to verify user identity than the classic username-password combination. MFA usually incorporates a password but includes one or two additional authentication factors. Two-factor authentication (2FA) is a type of MFA.
Update Software
Ensuring your software is up to date is the best way to ensure your devices have the latest security patches and updates. If automatic updates are not available, check for updates regularly.
Additional Tips
• Never click and tell. Limit what information you post on social media—from personal addresses to 
where you like to grab coffee. What many people don’t realize is that these seemingly random details are all that criminals need to know to target you, your loved ones, and your physical belongings—online and in the real world. Keep Social Security numbers, account numbers, and passwords private, and specific information about yourself, such as your full name, address, birthday, and even vacation plans. Disable location services that allow anyone to see where you are—and where you aren’t—at any given time.
• Speak up if you’re uncomfortable. If a friend posts something about you that makes you uncomfortable or you think is inappropriate, let them know. Likewise, stay open-minded if a friend approaches you because something you’ve posted makes them uncomfortable. People have different tolerances for how much the world knows about them, and it is important to respect those differences. Don’t hesitate to report any instance of cyberbullying you see.
• Report suspicious or harassing activity. Work with your social media platform to report and possibly block harassing users. Report an incident if you’ve been a victim of cybercrime. Local and national authorities are ready to help you.
• Share with care. Even if you delete a post or picture from your profile seconds after posting it, chances are someone still saw it. Remember, there is no ‘Delete’ button on the Internet.
• Update your privacy settings. Set the privacy and security settings to your comfort level for information sharing. Disable “geotagging,” which allows anyone to see where you are at any time.
• Connect only with people you trust. While some social networks might seem safer for connecting because of the limited personal information shared, keep your connections to people you know and trust.
Combatting Cyber Crime
In conclusion, today’s world is more interconnected than ever before. Yet, for all its advantages, increased connectivity also increases the risk of theft, fraud, and abuse. As Americans become more reliant on modern technology, we also become more vulnerable to it. However, each of us has the power to combat cybercrime through our actions.
Be Smart and Stay Safe
For more information on cyber security and to stay informed, visit www.cisa.gov/ncsam. Remember, staying informed is the first step towards responsible online behavior.
Courtesy of Simon Kemp and Deyan G.
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