Cyber Security

By Tami Harris

In today’s world, so much of our personal information, everything from the numbers in our bank account, our credit reports, sensitive personal documents and in some states, even our digital driver’s licenses can all be found online or in an app. With all of that sensitive information floating through the digital cloud, cybersecurity is more than a buzzword. It’s an essential part of daily life in the 21st century. Not unlike an insurance policy, cybersecurity is a vital part of protecting yourself and your loved ones. So let’s dive right in. What exactly is cyber security? What does it entail? And how can you keep yourself and your personal data safe on the internet?

So what is Cybersecurity anyway?
By definition, cybersecurity is the practice of protecting critical electronic systems ie. computers, servers, mobile devices, networks and sensitive data from unauthorized access and/or digital attacks. In short, cybersecurity ensures, or at least attempts to ensure that your personal digital data doesn’t end up in the wrong hands. 

How do I protect myself and my digital footprint from cybercriminals?
Protecting yourself from cyber attacks, unauthorized digital account access, and outright identity fraud can certainly feel like both a daunting task and a full time job, but there are a number of steps and precautions that you can take to best protect yourself against even the most formidable of cybercrooks. From anti-theft software to password protection, let’s break down some of the common (and most effective) ways to keep your digital data safe.

1. Security Software. Anti-virus and Anti-theft software is one of the most well-known ways to protect your most sensitive data online. With tech giants like Norton and McAfee leading the charge, there’s no shortage of software available to protect your pc or laptop from intruders. While they’re not the only players in the game, they are certainly some of the most trusted names in cybersecurity software and their products can be found just about anywhere that tech products are sold. Chances are, when you purchased that laptop, PC, monitor, or hard drive, there may have even been an accompanying software download available to you either as a courtesy or as an add-on to your purchase. By all means, do not neglect using these offers/bundles when you’ve got them! Not only do many of these companies offer the software itself as a one time download, but many also provide ongoing protection via monitoring services and the like, that can really help to keep anything and everything that is on your laptop as safe as possible. Buy it. Use it. And keep it up-to-date.
   
2. Password Protection. Every app, every website, every bit of software that we use tends to have their own login and sign on process, in which a PIN or password is used for your safety. It can be tempting to use a single password to keep everything consistent (and for the purpose of your own sanity and memory) but it’s so important to resist the temptation to do so. Passwords should first and foremost, be unique not to mention, confidential, difficult to guess and should include a variety of letters, numbers, special characters, etc. The last thing you’d want is for that one-size-fits-all password to end up in the wrong hands. Next thing you know everything from your movie streaming website to your child’s school records are fair game on the dark web. Just don’t take the risk! If forgetting passwords is a real concern of yours, there are apps and browser extensions out there that can store the passwords for you. Or if you’re a little more old school, keep a notebook solely for your passwords (there are actually products out there specifically for this purpose). 
   
3. Biometrics, an alternative to passwords. Once you’ve got a password set up for a website or app, many computers and mobile devices like cell phones and tablets offer sign-in via biometrics like fingerprint, iris, or facial recognition scanning. These are great tools to take advantage of because they truly make it difficult for outsiders to be able to access your information. Fingerprint recognition is definitely the most secure since there’s sure to only be one match to log in to your accounts: your own! Iris and facial scanning are good alternatives but be aware of the fact that family members or other individuals with very similar facial features may be granted access to your accounts if this is the route of protection you choose.
   
4. Browser history. If you want to protect the privacy of your browsing history, there are a few different ways to go about it. First, you can switch up the internet browser you use regularly so as not to use the same one all the time. You can even choose to browse discreetly using ‘incognito’ or private modes on your browser. These private browsing modes prevent your computer from saving your browsing history or storing cookies or temporary files to your computer, which means hackers can’t see where you’ve been on the web to better target you. Secondly, a great tip for when you are browsing on a public wi-fi connection like at a library, coffee shop, university, etc., is to use a VPN or Virtual Private Network. VPNs can make you nearly undetectable as they mask your device’s IP address from view. There are some VPNs that you can find for free but your best bet is to purchase one from a reputable cyber security provider. 
   
5. Social Media. Let’s be real here. Social media is literally everywhere. We use it, our kids use it, and even our parents and grandparents are known to have social media accounts as well. While social media outlets are a great way to stay in touch with friends and loved ones, it is important to note the risks involved in posting personal information online. Cybercriminals are known for using the information shared on social media outlets and unfortunately, getting your information can be very easy depending on what you choose to share. So think twice before sharing your birthdate, where you’re heading for vacation, your current location, etc. Even the ‘about me’ section of your Facebook, Instagram or Twitter accounts can really put your identity at risk. Many of these personally identifying ’about me’ questions also double as security questions on other sites like those for banking institutions. Could someone find out your high school mascot, where you met your spouse or the name of your pet by snooping around your social media profile? If so, it may be time to rethink what you’re choosing to share with the masses!
   
6. Beware of phishing. By definition, phishing is a cybercrime in which hackers target internet users, with the sole purpose of getting unassuming victims to disclose financial and/or personal information. While the methods change regularly, oftentimes this is achieved by posing as a financial institution or other reputable company you utilize (They find this information by hacking into your browser history), and requesting via email that you click a link to sign into your account and verify your personal information. Once that phishing link has been clicked, you’re then taken to a phony, albeit official-looking website and the rest, as they say, is history. So how can you tell whether a request for account updates is real or a phishing attempt? One trick is to hover your mouse/cursor over the link provided to you in the suspected email. If the URL doesn’t match that of the financial institution or website in question, chances are, you shouldn’t click it. Another great safety precaution is just to bypass the link altogether, open a different browser and go directly to the website or financial institution in question...all without clicking the suspicious link. Additionally, there is always the age-old option of picking up the phone, calling your financial institution and asking them directly if they sent an email requesting account updates. Just be sure that you are using the customer service number provided on the back of your bank card or directly from the company’s website. Do not call any phone numbers given to you via an already suspicious email.
   
7. Phone Protection. Last but certainly not least, it is of utmost importance to take all of the same (if not more) precautions when protecting your cell phone and mobile devices as well. After all, many of us spend far more time on our mobile devices than we do our laptops and computers anyway. The first line of defense when protecting your cell phone or tablet comes in the form of a PIN. That simple 4-digit code can be a real lifesaver in the event that your mobile device is ever lost or stolen. The key is ensuring that your PIN isn’t one that is easy for a cybercriminal to guess. So it’s best to not use your birth date, house number, anniversary date, etc. In addition to your PIN, you’ll want to be mindful of where you click and what you download. Make sure apps and games are from reputable companies/developers and take the time to look over reviews from other app users, and look into the number of folks who have downloaded the same app, etc. If others are complaining about getting viruses on their device after downloading the app, it’s obviously best to steer clear. Last but not least, keeping that mobile device of yours up-to-date at all times is another great way to protect your online security. More often than not, these system updates include crucial improvements to your device’s internet and overall security and can decrease your vulnerability to hackers. 
   

The world we live in is without question, a digital one. We’ve got the whole wide web at our fingertips which is great when it comes to connectivity and making a big world seem that much smaller. It also means we’ve got the added responsibility of protecting our digital domain. So do your homework, buy the security software, browse responsibly and just as you would lock the doors of your home at night, take every precaution to ensure the safety of your personal information. It is far better to proactively protect your online identity than to get caught behind the eight ball doing damage control. Happy browsing!

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