Jeannette Jarvis, Chief Business Officer
In today’s digital world, staying safe online is more important than ever. Whether you’re checking emails, shopping, working remotely, or helping your kids with homework, every click matters. The good news? You don’t need to be a tech expert to protect yourself, your family, or your business. With just a few simple actions, you can dramatically reduce your risk of falling victim to cyber threats.
October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month. A dedicated time to focus on essential cybersecurity practices that help keep you safe online. That is where Core 4 comes in – this year’s theme focused on four easy, effective steps that anyone can take to boost their online safety.
1. Use Strong Passwords and a Password Manager
Weak passwords are like leaving your front door unlocked. A strong password should be long, unique, and hard to guess. Cybercriminals often rely on password cracking to access sensitive information. If you reuse passwords across accounts, one breach can quickly become many.
But remembering dozens of complex passwords? That’s where a password manager comes in. It securely stores and encrypts your passwords, so you only need to remember one master password. This small change can make a big difference in your digital security.
2. Turn On Multifactor Authentication (MFA)
Implementing Multifactor Authentication (MFA) is a hugely effective measure that anyone can use to drastically reduce the chances of a cybersecurity breach. Think of MFA as a second lock on your digital door. Even if someone gets your password, they can’t get in without a second form of verification like a code sent to your phone or physical token, or by using a biometric scan.
It’s quick to set up and significantly reduces the risk of unauthorized access. If you’re serious about securing your devices and accounts, MFA is a must.
3. Pause Before Clicking on the Scam Link
Phishing emails, fake websites, and scam links are everywhere. Learn to spot the red flags: poor grammar, urgent or threatening language, unfamiliar senders, or unexpected attachments. If something feels off, it probably is. Trust your instincts – don’t click it. Never give your personal or financial information in response to a request that you did not expect.
AI is making scams more convincing, so it’s more important than ever to stay vigilant. If a message appears to come from someone you know or a business you trust, independently verify it through official contact channels, not through the link or number provided in the message. Never pay someone asking you to pay them using cryptocurrency, a wire transfer service, a payment app, or a gift card. These requests are common scammer tactics.
Email allows you to right click and report or block an email. Search engines, and many cybersecurity products, have added the ability to check if a link is legitimate using URL checkers. These tools are designed to empower you to take proactive steps in identifying and avoiding online threats before they cause harm.
4. Update Your Software
Making sure devices are always up to date with the most recent versions is essential in preventing cybersecurity issues from cropping up. Cybercriminals exploit outdated and vulnerable software to gain access to your devices. Enable automatic updates for your apps and operating systems to update automatically so you’re always protected.
While these four core steps are critical, we want to remind you not to forget one last core task:
Back Up Your Data
While no security measures are 100% foolproof, you can reduce the impact of your network, devices, and accounts being compromised. Regularly back up important data, such as work files, photos, and other valuable digital content to protect against loss. Use cloud services or offline storage like external hard drives that aren’t constantly connected to your network. Keeping backups in a secure, separate location will add an extra layer of protection.
Cybersecurity doesn’t have to be complicated. By implementing these Core 4 steps, and remembering to back up your data, you can take your digital safety to the next level and help protect yourself, your family, and your organization from malicious online activity.
Stat alert. Stay informed. Stay safe.
Additional Resources:
Take9 https://pausetake9.org/protect-yourself/
StaySafeOnline Resources: https://www.staysafeonline.org/resources/online-safety-and-privacy
CISA: https://www.cisa.gov/secure-our-world/secure-yourself-your-family