Cybersecurity threats lurk around every corner. If you can’t see them, you can’t defend against them. A cyberattack that takes mere minutes could have far-reaching ramifications that impact you or your business for years to come.
October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month (NCSAM), a designation that began in 2003 to highlight the importance of cybersecurity. This year, its organizers the nonprofit National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA) and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) are joining forces to promote awareness around personal accountability, with the theme “Do Your Part. #BeCyberSmart.”
Cybersecurity is at the center of everything Cybersafe Solutions does. For us, every month is cybersecurity month. As such, we are constantly monitoring the latest threats to share our expertise with you. We also believe that everyone who uses a computer, smartphone, or tablet should prioritize cybersecurity to protect their data and themselves.
While cybersecurity may seem complex, there are measures that everyone can take to protect themselves. Here are several daily steps you should take today:
- Use strong passwords. Passwords that combine upper and lower case letters, numbers, and special characters are typically harder to crack.
- Use Multifactor Authentification (MFA). MFA is a security system that requires multiple credentials to verify a user’s identity. Potential credentials may include a security question, a pin number from the user’s smartphone, a fingerprint, or facial recognition.
- Update software regularly. Software updates frequently have patches for potential vulnerabilities. Updating your software on a regular basis can help protect your computer from the latest threats.
- Only download from trusted sources. Cybercriminals often aim to get you to install malware unwittingly, and email attachments and website downloads could put your device at risk.
- Always use a secure VPN connection. While you may be tempted to enjoy free WiFi in public places, the connection may not be secure enough to keep your device safe.
Even if you’re already a cybersecurity expert, there is always more you can do to promote cybersecurity. Talk to your friends, family, and colleagues to make them more aware of how to protect themselves. Share this post on social media to start a conversation. Read our articles to learn about recent developments, trends, preventive measures, and more.
For the remainder of October, we’ll be doing our part to help you #BeCyberSmart through a lineup of exciting content, including our ‘The Cybersafe Second’ series.
Sign up for our emails and watch your inbox for this new, interactive feature, which throughout October will deliver useful blogs, trivia, facts, and tips to help you protect what you connect.
