Get Familiar with the Cyber Basics

At a time when the majority of our life happens behind a screen, being “cyber smart” is more important than ever. After all, this year has already seen more than a fair share of attacks and breaches, and cyberattacks are becoming more sophisticated with more evolved bad actors cropping up each day. Luckily, there are several steps that we can take daily to mitigate risks and stay one step ahead of the bad actors. Here are a few quick tips:

Enable MFA

Multi-factor authentication (MFA) adds that necessary second check to verify your identity when logging in to one of your accounts. By requiring multiple methods of authentication, your account is further protected from being compromised, even if a bad actor hijacks your password.

Use Strong Passphrases/Password Manager

This may seem obvious, but all too often implementing strong passphrases/password managers are overlooked. Over the past two years, people have spent more time online which has contributed to more bad actors prowling for accounts to attack. Using long, complex, and unique passwords is a good way to stop your account from being hacked. But, if you find it difficult to remember all your long passwords, an easy way of keeping track is by using a password manager.

Perform Software Updates

When your device prompts you that it’s time to update the software, it may be tempting to simply click postpone and ignore the message. However, having the latest security software, web browser, and operating system on devices is one of the best defenses against online threats. So, don’t wait. Update!

Do Your Research

A good step to stay safe online is to do some research before downloading anything new you are downloading to your device, such as apps. Before downloading any new learning app on your device, make sure that it’s a by checking who created the app, what the user reviews say, and if there are any articles published online about the app’s privacy and security features.

Check Your Settings

Be diligent and double-check your devices’ privacy and security settings and be aware of who can access your documents. This extends from Google docs to Zoom calls, and beyond. For example, when hosting meetings on Zoom, create passwords so only those invited to the session can attend and restrict who can share their screen or files with the rest of the attendees.

Being cyber smart and maintaining stellar online hygiene is the best way to protect yourself —and others — from cyberattacks. No single tip is foolproof but applied together they can make a real difference in taking control of your online presence. By taking preventive measures and making a habit of practicing online safety, you can decrease your odds of being hacked exponentially. And prevent lost time, money, and annoyance. 😉

Want to test your identity security knowledge? Check out our Identity Quiz.