Cybersecurity Keeps You Safe
According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), cybercrimes are becoming increasingly common and many use sophisticated techniques. Preventing cybercrime requires consumers who are connected to the internet with a smart phone or computer to be aware and on guard. Most cyber criminals have two main goals – to steal your money and your identity. Knowing how to spot malicious cyber activities, how they work, and what you can do, are important to help protect yourself and your finances. Here is how to protect your personal and financial information:
Protect yourself when connecting to a public Wi-Fi network. Public Wi-Fi networks such as those offered by restaurants, cafes, or airports; may not use strong encryption or other security features, making them vulnerable to hackers. If possible, avoid making sensitive transactions, including purchases, on public networks. Also, you may consider using a virtual private network (VPN).
Don't send payments to unknown people or organizations. Never send electronic payments to people or organizations you are not familiar with, especially if they pressure you.
Don’t open email or text messages from people or organizations you don’t know. If you are unsure whether an email or text you received is legitimate, try contacting the sender directly via other means, such as going to the official website or calling a customer service number on a bill or credit card. Do not click on any links, pictures, or videos in an email or text unless you are sure it is safe.
Check the website addresses. Malicious website addresses may appear almost identical to legitimate sites. Scammers often use a slight variation in spelling or logo to lure you. It is also possible for search engines to provide advertisement links to malicious websites that appear similar to the one you are looking for. Malicious links can also come from friends whose email has unknowingly been compromised, so be careful and confirm a website address is accurate before clicking on it.
Secure your personal information. Don’t provide any personal information, such as your date of birth, Social Security number, account numbers, or passwords to any person who contacts you. It could be a spoofing or phishing scheme. Legitimate organizations will never contact you unexpectedly to ask for that information. If you are uncertain, contact the organization directly through their official contact information to share information if needed.
Don’t share personal information in online profiles and social media accounts. Sharing personal things like birthdates, pets’ names, family members’ names, locations and addresses, or employment information can give cyber criminals the hints they need to guess your passwords. FDIC Consumer News: Your Bank and Social Media has additional tips.
Use strong and unique passphrase or password for each online account. Strong passwords are critical to online security. Unique passwords will help isolate unauthorized access to online accounts, if one were to occur. Furthermore, periodically changing your passphrase or password is a proactive practice to mitigate security breaches to your important accounts.
Set up multi-factor authentication on all accounts that allow it. This provides an additional layer of security even when your password or passphrase is compromised. It may also alert you of attempts to access your accounts without your permission. Consider passkeys when that is offered.
Keep your software programs up to date and maintain preventative software programs on all electronic devices. Install software that provides antivirus, firewall, and email filter services. Make sure your operating systems and applications are up to date. Older and unpatched versions of operating systems and software are the target of many hacks. Read the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) online privacy and security
Stay informed on the latest cyber threats. Keep yourself up to date on current scams. Visit the FBI’s Do yourself a favor: be crime smart for more updates.
Put these tips to work to protect yourself from some of the most common scams because criminals perpetrating these crimes often exploit weaknesses in personal cybersecurity practices or lack of awareness.
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