Cybersecurity Awareness Month: Four ways to stay safer online
Did you know that October 2024 marks the twenty-first National Cybersecurity Awareness Month in the United States? The initiative was launched in 2004 by the US Congress to spread the word about ways we can build a safer digital world.
One key element of Cybersecurity Awareness Month is the “Secure Our World” program, which outlines four simple steps every person can take to stay safer online:
Keep reading to find out how you can boost your own security!
1. Learn to recognize and avoid phishing
Unfortunately, nowadays you would be hard-pressed to find someone who has never experienced a phishing attempt. Phishing, which can take the form of fraudulent emails, text messages, phone calls, etc., usually aims to trick victims into disclosing sensitive information such as credit card information or online passwords. An example of a phishing email is an authentic-looking shipping notification that claims a package cannot be delivered, but is actually trying to lure you into clicking a fake link, which will let cybercriminals steal your login credentials or flood your device with malware.?
AI is making it cheap and easy for scammers to create phishing messages that are tough to distinguish from the real thing. This is why it’s important to be wary if you receive an urgent message that makes a strong appeal to your emotions or threatens dire consequences if you don’t act immediately. Phishing emails often contain incorrect email addresses or links, e.g. googgle.com instead of google.com. And they often ask for personal or financial information, like passwords, credit card numbers, etc. – which, as a general rule, you should NEVER share in response to an unsolicited email.
If there is even the slightest reason to suspect that a message is fake, resist the urge to click any links or to reply. Instead, delete the message. Remember, if you are worried that there is a real problem or emergency, you can always reach out to the person or company directly to confirm whether they actually contacted you.
Learn three more simple ways you can keep yourself safer online: Read the full blog post!