Each of us has a responsibility to do our part in making our country and world a safer place.
This is the 24th year that our country has recognized October as Cybersecurity Awareness Month. It’s a time dedicated for the public and private sectors to work together to raise awareness about the importance of cybersecurity and it has never been more important than it is today.
It has become a collaborative effort between government and industry to encourage cybersecurity awareness and actions by the public to reduce online risk and generate discussion on cyber threats at all levels individually, nationally and globally.
Taking daily action to reduce risks when online and using devices connected to the internet, whether it’s your computer, smart phone, or iPad is important. Staying vigilant in securing our world through cybersecurity awareness is the responsibility of each individual.
Four Easy Ways to Stay Safe Online
Let’s work together to build a safer digital world by using these free resources available through CISA, America’s Cybersecurity Defense Agency. We can increase our online safety through four simple actions, and whether at home, work, or school, these tips make us more secure when connected. Take time to discuss them with family, friends, employees and your community so we can all become safer online!
Strong passwords are long, random, and unique and include all four-character types (uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols). Password managers are a powerful tool to help you create strong passwords for each of your accounts.
You need more than a password to protect your online accounts; enabling MFA makes you significantly less likely to get hacked. Enable MFA on all your online accounts that offer it, especially email, social media, and financial accounts.
Be cautious of unsolicited messages asking for personal information. Avoid sharing sensitive information or credentials with unknown sources. Report phishing attempts and delete the message.
Ensuring your software is up to date is the best way to make sure you have the latest security patches and updates on your devices. Regularly check for updates if automatic updates are unavailable.
These four simple actions we can all take, not only during October, but every day throughout the year will help each of us become more vigilant Cyber Defenders, helping to make our world a safer, stronger place.