Have you ever wondered where all those weird holidays come from? Like, who got to decide that April 23rd was National Talk Like Shakespeare Day? Or that Squirrel Appreciation Day would fall on January 21st? Or that the last Friday of every April would be National Hairball Awareness Day? An entire day to make sure that your feline friends aren’t spewing wet clumps of hair onto the floor seems like a waste of time, but do you know what isn’t? An entire month dedicated to cybersecurity. Now that’s a topic worthy of a holiday!
Cybersecurity Awareness Month was created by the Department of Homeland Security and the National Cyber Security Alliance in October of 2004. It was launched to help Americans to be safe on the rapidly growing Internet. Since its inception, the month has only grown more important as our lives become increasingly digitized. Many high-ranking US officials have been a part of the event including former DHS Secretaries and former Presidents. We are only one of many industry participants who are taking this month to educate our community on the importance of cybersecurity. College campuses, non-profits, and other organizations frequently join in on the fun as well.
This October, Securli will be participating in Cybersecurity Awareness Month in a big way. Each week through the month, we will be giving you integral tips on how to build up your personal and business cybersecurity. Each one of these tips will bring you new avenues for protecting yourself online and will help you build a fortress of digital protections around yourself. Also, stay tuned for weekly blog posts that will give you even more information on how to stay safe online. Make sure that you’re following us on Twitter @securli or LinkedIn so you don’t miss out on any of the cybersecurity goodness we have year-round.
This Week’s Cybersecurity Tips
Be Aware, Don't Overshare - Don’t give away your personal information. Think about every post you make and whether it gives away too much info about you.
Review Online Accounts and Credit Reports Regularly - Remember to check your online accounts for unfamiliar charges or changes.
Do Your Research - Whether you’re downloading a new app, shopping for deals, or anything in between, read trusted reviews and the website’s privacy and security information before moving forward.
Don’t Use Public Wi-Fi to Log In to Your Accounts - Hackers can use a public network to get malware onto your device or steal your data.
Never Believe That You’re “Secure Enough” - Cybercriminals are always coming up with new ways to hack into your digital world.
Beware of Social Engineering - Scammers love to use the personal information they find online to trick individuals into giving up sensitive data that can be used against them.
Plan For the Unexpected - Make sure you have a disaster recovery plan, both at work and at home. This will help you deal with any unexpected dilemmas you may face.
Stay On Guard - Trust your gut. If something looks suspicious, it probably is!
Ask For Help – Securli is here to help and often at no cost.