Cybersecurity Awareness Month
October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month. How careful are you about defending your devices and assets from online attacks? Don’t let the bad guys ruin your financial well-being. Here are my four favorite ideas for protecting yourself.
Use a password manager. Services like LastPass and 1Password make your online presence safer and more accessible. Not only will a password manager keep track of your various logins and passwords across the internet, but they will also alert you when you’re using the same password across multiple sites. They will also tell you if your passwords are weak. Password managers have strong password generator functions that can create and store passwords, so you don’t have to remember them.
Perhaps most importantly, they have emergency access features so that if something happens to you, a designated friend or family member can have an easier time managing your affairs.
Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) is becoming more common every day. It simply means that there is an additional layer of security beyond entering your username and password. You see this when a site wants to text you a verification code before logging in. Using MFA with things like your email and financial institutions gives you an added layer of protection from being hacked. Even if somebody figures out your password, it’s very unlikely they will also have access to your cell phone to intercept that one-time code.
How does your vacuum cleaner do against viruses? If it’s a robot vacuum connected to your wi-fi, it’s probably at risk. In fact, you may have heard about hacked doorbell cameras. Internet-connected devices at home should be on your guest network to contain the damage and protect your phone and computer in the event of a breach.
Keep your software up to date. Apple, Google, and Microsoft are constantly updating their operating systems to patch vulnerabilities. But that only helps you if your device has the latest update. If you get a notification that an update is available, go ahead and take care of it. Better yet: take advantage of automatic updates.
Dyer & Company deals with sensitive client information. I work hard to keep information secure using the same tips above, like strong passwords and multi-factor authentication. And I make sure my vendors and partners take appropriate measures too. Did you know the Securities Division of the North Carolina Secretary of State offers cybersecurity resources to businesses like mine? They produce helpful seminars and best practices to ensure client data stays secure. I’m doing my part to keep clients safe. Make sure you take appropriate measures for yourself as well.
