Cybersecurity Tips and Tricks

Stop. Think. Connect.

Most of us spend a lot of time online – connected to the world and accessing information, including personal and financial information, on our computers and mobile devices. We need to be aware of the potential pitfalls and dangers while online, to protect ourselves from hackers and identity theft. Here are some things to keep in mind when you are online.

Browsing and Email

Stranger danger!

• Don’t open emails from unknown sources
• Verify the sender by verifying that the email address is the same as the name
• Beware too good to be true offers! Stick to trusted sources and be the initiator of the search
• Use strong passwords

Passwords

• Complexity without having to write it down
• Sharing is NOT caring when it comes to passwords
• Dual Use – don’t reuse the same password for multiple logins
• Never save passwords in your Browser

Secure Your Home

• Use strong passwords
• Use a password management application
• Change default passwords to:

Router / Modem

Internet of Things (Ring!, Nest thermometer, Alexa/Echo, security cameras, etc.)

Use a VPN solution

Secure Your Mobile Devices

Mobile phones and tablets are portable computers that must be secured just as much as your laptop or desktop computer. Ways to do that are:

• Anti‐Virus for Mobile – You can still click on malware while on a mobile device
• VPN – Hackers can “see” and “listen in” on your transactions when they are unprotected

Popular Solutions

VPN (Virtual Private Network)

• NordVPN
• Private Internet Access VPN

Password Manager

• RoboForm
• LastPass
• NordPass

Antivirus/Antimalware

• Norton LifeLock
• McAfee

Encryption

• Microsoft Bitlocker
• Apple FileVault

Identity Theft Protection

• LegalShield
• LifeLock

Resources

Knowing is half the battle! Knowing where to go to get the information is the other half:

• LegalShield – Identity Theft Protection
• IdentityTheft.gov – Reporting & Recovery
• SANS.org–Most trusted cybersecurity resource
• StaySafeOnline.org – Empowers users at Home, Work, and School to stay safe online
• StopThinkConnect.org – Global online safety awareness campaign to help everyone
• InternetMatters.org.‐ Resource to assist parents with keeping kids safe online
• ic3.gov – FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center