Cybersecurity: Defense Against the Dark Arts
Did you know that October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month? Isn’t it interesting that it’s also the month that focuses on ghouls, goblins, and gremlins? Watch out for these tricksters in your cyberspace neighborhood:
Devils in Disguise
Those costumed kids are cute! Digital devils, not so much. Even if that email offering goodies comes from someone you know, proceed cautiously. Hover over the sender’s name to see the underlying email address to make sure they’re consistent. If you’re not sure whether an email is legitimate, contact the sender independently (remember phone calls?). Watch for red flags like poor grammar, spelling errors, and especially a sense of urgency. If a howling email wants you to “act now!”, slow down.
Supposedly vampires can’t come into your house if you don’t invite them, so don’t! Never click on links or open attachments in suspicious emails . . . and consider every email to be suspicious. Don’t send personally identifiable information treats like social security numbers, bank accounts, or credit card numbers through email, because there are demons (AKA hackers) waiting to pounce on unsecured messages traveling through cyberspace.
Beware of Eerie Social Media Encounters
On Halloween, sharing photos and stories is part of the fun. But beware of sharing too much online, as personal information can be used by cyber tricksters to cast spells of identity theft or fraud. Set your social media profiles to private and be mindful of what you post. Remember, once something is online, it can haunt you long after the holiday is over.
Protect Your Digital Costume
On Halloween night, a good costume helps you blend in or stand out. Similarly, strong passwords and two-factor authentication are your digital disguises, shielding you from unwanted attention. Create passwords using a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols—think of them as your spells and charms. Never reuse passwords between accounts, or you risk making it easy for online monsters to steal your identity!
Ghostly Gadgets and Haunted Networks
Our devices—smartphones, laptops, and tablets—can be haunted by malware if not protected. Always keep your software updated to ward off new threats, and be cautious when connecting to unfamiliar Wi-Fi networks, especially public ones. Unsecured networks are breeding grounds for cyber zombies that can snoop on your online activity. For extra protection, use a virtual private network (VPN) to cloak your presence, ensuring your data stays invisible to prying eyes.
Stay Vigilant!
Halloween reminds us that not all dangers wear obvious masks. In cyberspace, threats are often invisible, sneaking up when we least expect it. By staying alert and following good cybersecurity practices, you’ll keep your digital skeletons safely locked away and ensure a happy, haunt-free Halloween!
