October is a month filled with many special events, from Breast Cancer Awareness to spooky Halloween. However, October is also National Cyber Security Awareness Month, and it is important to provide people with the tools necessary to be secure in the online world. There are security tips that we’ve all heard, such as having strong passwords and unique usernames, but that is no longer enough to keep your private information safe. Also, we’ve all heard that it is important to not give out your financial information to any suspicious websites. However, there are other security tips that are not as heard of, but are quite important. Here are some of them.
1. Track your digital history.
Everyone knows that whatever you put on the Internet stays there forever. However, many people fail to realize that their information is scattered all over the Internet. Do you know how many websites have your private information? You can begin by making a list of the websites that have your private information, and if there are any particular sites that you don’t use anymore, you can delete your accounts.
2. Elevate your security.
Once you’ve made your list, you can decide which accounts are the most important for you. Secure your important accounts by navigating through the settings and enabling the website’s security. You can prioritize your accounts by the type of information they contain -- for instance, personal financial information, personal health records, and so on. Don’t forget to think about your account's vulnerability and how much of an issue it would be if that particular account got hacked. Anyone with access to your information could alter the data, make fraudulent charges, or even steal your identity.
3. Don't open any suspicious e-mails.
Cybercriminals are always on the prowl to steal someone else’s personal information. If you see spam or e-mails with suspicious links, delete it, and don’t give out your personal information for any motives. Also, don’t forget to regularly delete trash mail in order to keep an organized e-mail account.
