Cybersecurity Awareness Month 2024:
Protect Yourself in an Evolving Digital World
October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, a time dedicated to highlighting the importance of protecting yourself from cyber threats. In the past, you may have thought of cybersecurity as something only large companies or secret agents in movies had to worry about. But times have changed. Cybercrime is no longer a distant problem. It’s a threat to all of us. The theme for this year’s Cybersecurity Awareness Month is “Secure Our World” - by following these tips from the National Cyber Security Alliance, we can all help protect ourselves and our world against cybercrime.
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Cybersecurity Awareness Month 2024:
Protect Yourself in an Evolving Digital World
The increasing sophistication of cybercriminals has made it more urgent than ever to stay informed. According to the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA), cyber fraud saw a significant surge during the first half of the 2020s, taking advantage of global events like the pandemic and large-scale infrastructure attacks. The Colonial Pipeline ransomware attack in 2021 is one example of how cyber threats can cause widespread disruption, leading to fuel shortages and panic. Cybercrime is not only an abstract concept but something that can disrupt our everyday lives, whether it’s interfering with supply chains or stealing personal information at the gas pump.
It's crucial for each of us to play a part in safeguarding personal and professional data from cybercriminals. The following tips will help you stay secure while at home, working remotely, or traveling, and ensure your "digital home" is protected.
Protecting Yourself at Home and While Traveling
In today’s interconnected world, the number of devices linked to the internet in our homes is staggering—everything from your smartphone to your refrigerator. This digital connectivity is convenient but also opens the door to cybercrime. To help reduce your risk, follow these cybersecurity tips from the NCSA:
Secure Your Wi-Fi Network: The first line of defense for your home’s internet-connected devices is your wireless router. Make sure to change the factory-set username and password to a strong, unique combination. A secure password should be at least 8 characters long and include numbers, symbols, and a mix of upper-case and lower-case letters. Avoid using the same username and password across different accounts and consider using a secure Password Manager to store your credentials.
Disable Auto-Connect Outside of Home: Some devices automatically connect to available Wi-Fi networks or Bluetooth devices. This feature can expose your data to cybercriminals. Disable auto-connect features for public networks and ensure you are only connecting to trusted networks.
Stay Secure on Public Networks and Browse with Caution: When using public Wi-Fi at places like airports or coffee shops, confirm the network's name with staff to ensure it’s legitimate. Personal hotspots are often safer alternatives to public Wi-Fi. Always make sure that websites start with “https://” when you are shopping or banking online.
Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): MFA requires you to use multiple verification methods to access an account, making it harder for cybercriminals to break in. Turn on MFA wherever possible, whether it’s for your email, banking, or social media accounts.
Keep Your Software Updated: Regular updates to your device's operating system, apps, and security software are critical for protecting against the latest threats. Set up automatic updates where possible and be sure to investigate any system alerts that look suspicious.
Monitor Your Apps: Many internet-connected devices are managed by mobile apps. Regularly review app permissions and delete apps you no longer use. Only download apps from trusted sources to minimize risk.
Be Mindful on Social Media: Cybercriminals use information shared on social media to their advantage. Limit the amount of personal data you share online, like birthdays, addresses, and travel plans, to avoid becoming an easy target.
Back Up Your Data: Ensure that you regularly back up important files like photos, videos, and financial documents to a secure cloud service or external hard drive. In case of a cyberattack, backups can save you from losing critical data.
Be Cautious While Traveling: When you’re away from home, stay vigilant. Be mindful of the digital breadcrumbs you leave behind, such as using public Wi-Fi or posting your location on social media.
Protecting Your Employer
Cyberattacks on businesses don’t only affect the company and they can have widespread consequences. As we’ve seen from recent incidents, such attacks can disrupt critical services, even leading to shortages of essential goods. Many attacks exploit human error, such as employees clicking on malicious links or using weak passwords. Here’s how you can help protect your workplace:
Treat Business Information Like Personal Information: Confidential business data includes not only proprietary company information but also employee personal data, such as tax forms and payroll details. Don’t share this information over unsecured networks or with unknown parties.
Use Strong Passwords at Work: Just as you secure your home devices, ensure you’re using strong, unique passwords for work accounts. Many modern devices are data-driven and constantly exchanging information, so it’s essential to configure them securely to prevent breaches.
Report Suspicious Activity: If you notice anything suspicious at work, whether it’s outdated software or a phishing email, report it immediately. Your awareness could help prevent a significant breach.
Be Cautious with Social Media: Criminals often use social media to gather information about businesses and their employees. Avoid oversharing on platforms and never conduct official business over social media.
It Only Takes One Mistake: Many data breaches result from only one mistake, whether it’s clicking on a malicious link or falling for a phishing scam. Always be cautious when receiving unsolicited requests for sensitive information.
Staying Safe in 2024 and Beyond
Cybersecurity is a shared responsibility. This October, use Cybersecurity Awareness Month to assess your digital habits and share these tips with your friends, family, and coworkers. While no one is immune to cyber threats, following these best practices can significantly reduce your risk.
Remember, even with all these precautions, cybercrime can still happen. That’s why [FINANCIAL_INSTITUTION] offers Fully Managed Identity Theft Recovery services for account holders with [EMBEDDED_ACCOUNT]. If you suspect your identity has been compromised, our Identity Theft Recovery Advocates are here to help you recover and mitigate any damage.
Stay vigilant, stay secure, and stay cybersmart!
Social Media Content
Use the following social posts below during the month of October to raise cybersecurity awareness among your account holders and help them discover how they can better protect themselves and their families.
Post #1: October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month. Each week we will post a tip to help fight cybercrime. Cybersecurity starts with YOU and is everyone’s responsibility. This week we remind you, “If you Connect It, Protect It.” The best defense against viruses and malware is to update to the latest security software, web browser, and operating systems. #BeCyberSmart #Cybersecurity #YourProtectionPartner
Post #2: Our tip this week during National Cybersecurity Awareness Month is to stop auto-connecting. Some devices will automatically seek and connect to available Wi-Fi networks or Bluetooth devices. This instant connection opens the door for cybercriminals to remotely access your devices. Disable these features for networks outside your home so that you actively choose when to connect to a safe network. #BeCyberSmart #Cybersecurity #YourProtectionPartner
Post #3: Our tip this week during National Cybersecurity Awareness Month is to treat business information as personal information. It's important to stay cybersmart while at work as well as at home. Business information typically includes trade secrets and customer data that could be very damaging if in the wrong hands. But business information may also include employee personally identifiable information (PII) through tax forms and payroll accounts. Do not share PII with unknown parties or over unsecured networks. #BeCyberSmart #Cybersecurity #YourProtectionPartner
Post #4: Our tip this week during National Cybersecurity Awareness Month is to stay protected while connected. It's important to remember that cybercrime happens while on the road too! Before you connect to any public wireless hotspot such as those available at an airport, hotel, or café, be sure to confirm the name of the network and exact login procedures with appropriate staff to ensure that the network is legitimate. Your personal hotspot is often a safer alternative to free Wi-Fi. #BeCyberSmart #Cybersecurity #YourProtectionPartner
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