In 1988, the Association for Computer Security launched the first Computer Security Day to raise awareness concerning computer security issues.
Here at Red River Communications, we pride ourselves on offering our clients a safe and secure FiberFASTTM internet experience. Now, as the tech world continues to grow, so does the magnitude of cyberattacks. To help you stay vigilant, here are some valuable tips to follow to increase your cybersecurity. First, we thought we’d share some of the best easy-to-follow tips.
- Keep Your Software Up to Date:
- Turn on automatic system updates for your device and ensure your desktop web browser uses automatic security updates.
- It is also good practice to keep your web browser plugins like Flash, Java, etc. updated.
- Use Anti-Virus Protection & Firewall:
- Anti-virus (AV) protection software has been the most prevalent solution to fight malicious attacks. AV software blocks malware and other malicious viruses from entering your device and compromising your data. Using a firewall is also essential when defending your data against malicious attacks.
- A firewall helps screen out hackers, viruses, and other malicious activity over the Internet and determines what traffic is allowed to enter your device. Your router should also have a firewall built in to prevent attacks on your network.
- By subscribing to our FiberFAST WiFi, you need a FiberFAST internet connection. We take care of all the necessary equipment and setup to get your home fully connected wirelessly.
- Use Strong Passwords & Use a Password Management Tool:
- It is important to have variety in your passwords and change them periodically. The next time you create a password, use a short sentence (known as a passphrase) that will resonate with you, such as “IM!ssMNsummers5567.” Incorporating special characters into passphrases adds to their complexity, ultimately making them harder to guess.
- If you want to make it easier to manage your passwords, try using a password management tool or password account vault. LastPass FREE is an excellent tool that offers a FREE account or a $3/month membership with advanced password features.
- Use Two-Factor or Multi-Factor Authentication:
- Two-factor or multi-factor authentication is a service that adds additional layers of security to the standard password method of online identification. We use the Google Authenticator App and find it user-friendly.
- Emails:
- Hover Over Links: It’s easy to just aimlessly click on links we receive, not second-guessing where it may lead us. Next time, pause and hover over the link with your cursor, or tap and hold with your finger on a smartphone to ensure the destination it’s leading you to is valid and not an attempt to embed malware on your computer, phone, or tablet.
- Verify Sender Information: Protecting your data can be as simple as verifying an email you receive comes from a legitimate address by googling the email address to locate its source.
- Avoid opening attachments if you’re not expecting them: Curiosity can get the best of us when it comes to receiving emails or text messages with attachments. However, some of these attachments may have code embedded in them that allows cybercriminals to roam through your device in the background. Therefore, avoid any attachments with extension labels such as .exe, .scr, .vbs, .hta, .reg, or .bat.
