It’s National Cybersecurity Awareness Month and TFCU wants to help raise awareness about the importance of cybersecurity and provide our members with the resources needed to be safer and more secure online.
Secure your login
Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) to ensure the only person who has access to your account is you. If MFA is an option, enable it by using a trusted mobile device, such as your smartphone, an authenticator app, or a secure token—a small physical device that can hook onto your key ring.
Shake up your password protocol
CISA.gov recommends using the longest password allowed. Get creative and customize your standard password for different sites to prevent cyber criminals from gaining access to all your accounts. If you have more passwords than you can remember, use a password manager app to remember different, complex passwords for each of your accounts.
Keep up to date
Always keep your software updated to the latest version available. Maintain your security settings with ease by turning on automatic updates, and be sure to set your security software to run regular scans.
If You Connect IT, Protect IT
Always update your devices to the latest security software, web browser and operating systems as this is the best defense against viruses and malware. Sign up for automatic updates, if you can, and protect your devices with anti-virus software.
Play hard to get with strangers. Cyber criminals use phishing tactics, hoping to fool their victims. If you’re unsure who an email is from—even if the details appear accurate— or if the email looks “phishy,” do not respond and do not click on any links or attachments found in that email. When available use the “junk” or “block” option to no longer receive messages from a particular sender.
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. Keep Social Security numbers, account numbers and passwords private, as well as specific information about yourself, such as your full name, address, birthday and even vacation plans. Additionally, consider disabling location services that allow anyone to see where you are—and where you aren’t—at any given time.
Keep tabs on your apps
Most connected appliances, toys, and devices are supported by a mobile application. Your mobile device could be filled with suspicious apps running in the background or using default permissions you never realized you approved—gathering your personal information without your knowledge while also putting your identity and privacy at risk. Check your app permissions and delete what you don’t need or no longer use. Remember, only download apps from trusted vendors and sources.
Stay protected while connected
Before you connect to any public wireless hotspot—such as at an airport, hotel, or café—be sure to confirm the name of the network and exact login procedures with appropriate staff to ensure that the network is legitimate. If you do use an unsecured public access point, practice good Internet hygiene by avoiding sensitive activities that require passwords or credit cards. Your personal hotspot is often a safer alternative to free Wi-Fi. Tip: Only use sites that begin with “https://” when online shopping or banking.
Source: https://www.cisa.gov/