Cybersecurity Best Practices

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month. There are all kinds of ways to stay safe and secure online but even just practicing cybersecurity basics can make a huge difference.

1. Use Strong Passwords and a Password Manager
   • Passwords are everywhere but are often created with convivence and ease of remembrance as primary. Focus on building long, random, and custom passwords. Don’t be afraid to use the suggested password many browsers will offer and remember for you.




2. Turn on Multifactor Authentication (MFA)
   • Many offer it, but few utilize it. When creating an account, especially one of importance like financial accounts, explore turning on MFA. Ask the provider when to enable it if they don’t have it.




3. Recognize and Report Phising
   • Think before you click! Phishing occurs when criminals try to get us to open harmful links, emails or attachments that could request our personal information or infect our devices. Phishing messages or “bait” usually come in the form of an email, text, direct message on social media or phone call. These messages are often designed to look like they come from a trusted person or organization, to get us to respond. Stay vigilant, spot the signs, and report suspicious emails.




4. Update Software
   • Ensuring your software is up to date is the best way to make sure you have the latest security patches and updates on your devices. Regularly check for updates if automatic updates are not available.

Our goal is to empower individuals with the tools they need to assess risks and protect themselves from cybercrime. As always, we are here to answer any questions you may have regarding keeping yourself safe online.