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Spring is a great time to review your digital footprint and make sure your cyber security practices are still working well. Tax season is in full flow, stay safe and clean your physical and digital data, strengthen your passwords and keep cyber criminals away.
review your password
Without strong passwords on your accounts, any other security measures you take will be less effective. If you’ve been using words or phrases that are easy to guess, or your accounts have already been exposed as part of a data breach, now is the time to update everything. You can check if any of your accounts have been compromised have i been cheated Website.
Strong passwords are at least 8 characters long, although longer is better. Don’t use common phrases or easy-to-guess combinations like Password123, your name or date of birth. Try a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. Need something easy to remember? Try substituting common letters for other characters, such as @ instead of “a”.
There are other ways to strengthen your password:
- Ensuring that you use each password only once for different accounts and never reuse credentials across different platforms or accounts.
- Use multi-factor authentication to log into your accounts whenever you can. This can be through FaceID, fingerprint, or an authenticator app like Duo or Google Authenticator.
- Consider using a password manager. It keeps all your passwords securely stored, leaving you to remember only one master password.
- Check your password strength using an online tool like Bitwarden password strength checker,
declutter your inbox
Email is indispensable in our work and personal lives, but it can be overwhelming if you let your inbox spiral out of control. Not only can excessive emails be a source of stress, they can also become a security issue.
Make a list of every email account you have and close any that are no longer needed or in use. Create folders to store any important emails and delete anything else. Be sure to check that you don’t have any personally identifiable information in the email, such as banking information or sensitive personal details.
You should also unsubscribe from any email list you no longer wish to be on. Similarly, never open an email attachment or link that you were not expecting to receive. This is one of the easiest ways for hackers to gain access to your accounts and computer. Always verify who the message is from before opening anything. Always keep in mind that Union Bank will never request sensitive account or personal information through email.
Finally, protect your device with a password, PIN, or other login to help protect your email. Never leave your computer or phone unattended and unlocked—a criminal can easily access your email through your device.
scan your social media accounts
Just like with your email, take a moment to look through your social media accounts and delete any you no longer use. Check the privacy settings on each and make any changes to what’s shared and with whom.
Delete any photos you no longer want to access and remember that, even if your settings are set to friends and family only, you can’t control what anyone else can share with your account Is.
If you encounter any suspicious account on social media, take action by blocking it or removing it from your friends list. Additionally, use caution when communicating via direct message as it is difficult to verify the identity of the person on the other end. As with email, avoid clicking on any link that looks suspicious if you cannot verify the sender or the contents of the link. Social media accounts are at risk of takeover and spoofing, so even if the sender appears to be a verified account owner, be careful as he or she may not be the actual owner.
Smart Appliances, Better Security
internet of things
Internet of Things (IoT) and smart devices have undoubtedly made our lives easier and more convenient. However, the growing number of these devices has also increased the potential doors and windows for attackers to gain unauthorized access to our data. With an estimated 77.1 million smart homes in the US by 2025, the risk of cyber security threats from these devices cannot be ignored. Cyber criminals can exploit vulnerabilities in these devices and gain access to sensitive information, such as personal data, financial information, and even control over your home security system. For example, if a cyber criminal gains access to your smart thermostat, they can easily learn when you’re away, putting your home and property at risk.
Like laptops and smartphones, it’s important to make security a priority for smart devices. Security measures such as setting strong and unique passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, and keeping device firmware updated can help prevent unauthorized access. It’s also essential to be careful about the data you share with these devices and the apps you use to control them. Regularly reviewing app permissions and privacy settings can help you understand what types of data devices collect and how it’s being used. Don’t wait for the attack to happen; Take preventive measures now to protect your home and privacy.
remove unused apps
Unused apps not only take up space on your device, but they can also be a security risk if not updated frequently. Remove any you are no longer using. If you have an account within the app itself, be sure to delete it before deleting the app.
keep your desk clean
A clean desk not only equals a clean mind, but it’s also important for safety. Put away any documents containing sensitive account or personally identifiable information to prevent them from being lost or stolen.
Documents you no longer need should be securely shredded. If you don’t have access to a personal shredder, your office may hold “shred days,” or you can take your documents to a local office supply store for safe disposal.
back up important data
Backing up your digital data can help you recover quickly if you become a victim of malware or ransomware. Even simply losing or having your device stolen can cause headaches without proper backups.
Prioritize the files you want to keep and think about how you want to back them up. You can save them in a cloud-based storage system or on a physical hard drive that is separate from your device. Having multiple backups can be useful.
Be sure to back up and clear any local files before disposing of or removing any devices. To completely eliminate the possibility of extracting information from a device, it must be destroyed or overwritten in such a way that no data can be recovered using forensic software. This applies to all types of devices including phones, tablets, laptops and other devices you have in your home. If you’re at work, check with your employer about any company-wide backup policies or steps you should take to ensure the safety of your work data and files.
keep your devices up to date
Do you store important information or photos on your device? Requiring a passcode, PIN or biometric authentication helps ensure that your personal information remains secure.
When prompted to update your device, don’t ignore these notifications. Operating systems are frequently updated with bug fixes and patches that help keep your device safe and personal data secure. You may want to install anti-virus software and perform frequent scans to check for any malicious activity.
Know more about Cyber Security Awareness in Union Bank!
At Union Bank, keeping your data and finances secure is our priority. Learn more about Cyber Security Awareness and how we protect our customers and community in Vermont and New Hampshire. Contact us by phone, email or by stopping into a branch with any questions about your accounts.
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