Cybersecurity Awareness Month – 5 Tips to Stay Safe

Cybersecurity – it’s a big topic these days. Has been. And it’s not going to fade any time soon.

Cybercrime is rampant. You hear about it in the news. You may have a colleague or client who has been affected by it. You yourself may have been hit by a cyber attack.

Cybersecurity Awareness Month, which was started in October 2004, is an annual month dedicated to spreading awareness of cybercrime and cybersecurity. Knowing about the threats online and in your inbox can give you an advantage. Knowledge is certainly powerful.

Cybersecurity Awareness Month is dedicated to ensuring everyone has this knowledge and the appropriate safety resources.

To kick the month off right, check out some potent ways to keep safe.

5 easy-to-follow tips for keeping your network and data safe

Who says powerful ways to keep your network secure have to be hard? Here are easy things to keep in mind when online or in your inbox.

1. Pay close attention to URLs and email addresses.

Scam addresses may look legitimate, but a closer look can reveal slight differences. A word may be misspelled or have a minor variation.

2. Watch out for texts and calls.

Scammers don’t just use email and malicious sites. They will send scam texts and call you, too. Always be vigilant, no matter what device you’re using.

3. Be careful with attachments.

Be very careful about email attachments, especially when it comes via an email that’s unsolicited. If you’re concerned about the contents, reach out to the sender via a new email to a confirmed address. You can also call directly.

4. Don’t use outdated and unsupported software

Ensure all software is patched and up-to-date. Patch management and automatic updates can help keep you secure.

5. Don’t make rash decisions.

This is one of the easiest tips to follow. You’ve probably noticed that a lot of malicious emails are threatening (you’re account will be deactivated unless…) or they want you to think you’ve won something fabulous (you’re the lucky winner of an iPad). Before clicking on that hyperlink, take a moment to think through things.