Digital Security Basics

By Michelle D'Attilio

TLDR

• Taking ownership of your digital security is important for reducing your risk of hacking.
• Learn to identify phishing emails, malware, and brute force attacks to safeguard your data and accounts.
• Utilize strong passwords, two-factor authentication (2FA), and regular data backups for added security.
• Make plans for what happens to your digital accounts in the event of your passing.

Cyber security isn't just about protecting your data—it's about protecting your peace of mind.

You know what’s super important? Digital security. You know what people overlook ALL the time? Digital security.?

Like it or not, we are entwined in the web of the internet. Keeping accounts safe and planning for the unexpected is a crucial part of our lives online and offline. ?

This blog covers some basics to help protect your digital security. But first, we have to know the enemy we’re dealing with.

Understand the Threat and How People Get Access

Be really, really careful out there. It helps to understand how hackers get access in the first place, which we hope to help you with through this blog. Then, take the necessary steps to make sure you've protected yourself.?

Scam Messages

You have likely heard about phishing emails and other scam messages and texts. These are fraudulent messages designed to trick you into giving up personal information.?

Do not take these messages at face value. Ask questions. And if you still aren’t sure whether something’s legit, don’t respond to the original message. Instead,?contact the person or organization directly through a known phone number or email address.?

If you get a “wrong number” call or message, leave it at that and block the sender. Oftentimes, there are actually scammers behind these messages who will act friendly and try to coax you into sharing personal information or funds. Don’t engage with them.

Another easy tip: When you're in your email account and an email comes in, it might be asking you to click on a link. Before clicking anything, go up to the “from” line in your email and click the down arrow: it will show you who that email is actually from. So if you just look at the top of the email where it says from, that might say the email is from Facebook. But if you click the down arrow, it'll show you a completely different URL altogether. ?

This is a quick way to ensure that when you're clicking on a link it's not being sent from a fake account.?

Be really, really careful out there. It helps to understand how these hackers get access in the first place.

Malware

Predators find ways to install malware on people’s devices. This is designed to harm your device or steal your data. They often can do this through phishing emails as well, or you might accidentally click on something and download the wrong type of software. ?

Depending on what type of computer you're using and what type of phone, this threat varies. Android used to be much better with security. Now iPhone's security is better. In two years, Android might be better again. It's really hard to say.

Brute Force Attacks

In brute force attacks, a hacker repeatedly guesses your password until they get it right. ?

For instance, I got a letter the other week about a medical account being hacked last spring. What happens is those lists of passwords are also connected with an email. So now those hackers know not only my password, but also my email address. ?

They can then start going in and guessing. They take a list of banks I could be banking at. They could use my email address and my password over and over and try guessing that password until they get it right. For people who use the same password for their bank account and healthcare account, the hacker would hit a payday.

Back up your data.

Always back up your data. Sometimes, things happen. We can take every necessary precaution and unfortunately we can still get hacked. ?

If there's something important to you, I highly suggest you back it up. Keep it on a digital drive, or multiple digital drives in different places. I have had a bunch of different physical hard drives, and those have been okay over the years. ?

The problem is, the technology changes, and if you don't keep the hard drive up to date, you don't always end up having access. Cloud storage is a great alternative. ?

Ensure password security.

In a previous blog, we talked all about tips for password safety. Here are the CliffsNotes:

• Don’t repeat passwords across different accounts.
• Create strong passwords with different characters, numbers, and phrases.
• Use a password manager tool so you can safely keep your passwords straight.
• Use two-factor authentication (2FA) to further protect your accounts.?
• Don’t use easy-to-guess words in your passwords, such as loved ones’ names, birthdays, etc.
• Routinely update your passwords—at least once a year.

These things can be a pain, but they are WAY less of a pain than scrambling to recover an account and undoing the damage. Sometimes neither is possible, and you’re out of luck.?

So, be proactive with your password management.

These things can be a pain, but they are WAY less of a pain than scrambling to recover an account and undoing the damage.

Security in the Beyond

Account security is a must. Here’s one more thing to ponder…

Determine What Happens to Your Accounts in Your Passing

Not to be morbid, but this is important. Have you thought about what happens to your accounts once you pass away?

I recently attended my grandmother's funeral. One of the things I thought was so great about her is that at 98 years old, she was on Facebook and she used it a lot. ?She was out there and she was talking to her grandkids and her great-grandkids on Facebook.?

What many people don't know about social media platforms is not only do you need to protect them with your password, but on some of them you can designate a legacy contact. ?

For example, Facebook allows you to assign someone to manage your account after you pass away. You can choose how they can manage it so they can memorialize your account or they can even delete it, if that's your preference.?

The legacy contact does not get full access to your Facebook page. So, you really don't have to worry about them digging through your messages or anything like that. But it does give somebody control over your social account if you pass away.?

What if there’s no legacy option? ?

If the platform doesn't have a place to designate a legacy contact, make sure you store your login information securely. Then set it up so either a trusted family member or friend can access that information once you pass away. ?

Then you can leave instructions. But, also sit down and communicate your wishes to your loved ones. Have the conversations. Ensuring they know that you have all the information and showing them where it is—this is going to be a big part of life as we move forward and everything is hyper-digitized.?

It may sound odd, but your digital properties are part of your estate. For some of us, those digital properties have little to no value other than sentimental, but it's still an important part of keeping your accounts secure and safe. This can even be a part of your will in a legal document where you leave instructions about what you want done with your accounts.?

Be proactive. Use common sense.

Let's face it: hackers are becoming more sophisticated day by day. They're not just targeting big corporations; they're after individuals like you and me. ?

But here's the good news. There are some simple steps that you can take to make yourself a much harder target.?

Improving your digital security can save you big headaches later on. It’s important to know that no system is foolproof, but every step you take makes a big difference. Cyber security isn't just about protecting your data—it's about protecting your peace of mind.?

The biggest thing we can do is educate ourselves and each other. What is your digital resolution this year??

Digital Security: Setting up for Success!

Taking steps to bolster your cyber security is one of the best ways to set up your business for success. Next, why not reexamine your marketing strategy? It just so happens that sōsh has a team of marketing experts who would love to help you. Call us, email us, or click below to set up a no-charge, 15-minute consultation!??

Book a chat with sōsh!

About Us

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