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| Each year, millions of Americans become victims of cyber crimes. These crimes range from data and financial theft to identity theft. You have the tools to protect your computer and with a few thoughtful habits, you can keep your valuable information safe. |
Passwords:
We all have them. Some are for accessing physical things like ATM machines, gated communities or office buildings. Many are for accessing online accounts such as email and banking. Keep these safe and be smart. You wouldn’t leave a sticky note on your debit card with the password, don’t leave one on the bottom of your laptop. Here are some tips on creating and keeping secure passwords: - Never use a password based on personal information,
such as, a favorite sports team or dates like a wedding
anniversary or birthday.
- Don’t use words that are in the dictionary. Hackers
use programs that try every word in the dictionary.
- When possible, use lowercase and capital letters,
numbers, and special characters. Use numbers and
special characters to replace letters in your password.
Use 3 instead E; Use ! or @ instead of I or A
- Use mnemonic devices to help remember complex
passwords. For example, “I love the beach” could
become a complex password: IluvTh3B3@ch!
- To check if your password is strong visit: Microsoft password checker
Emails:
Use real-world rules to
keep safe when it comes to emails. Don’t
talk to or take candy from strangers. If you receive an email from someone you don’t know, no matter how urgent the email seems, don’t click on any links or open attachments. If you receive an email from a friend that seems suspicious, ask them personally if they sent it. Hackers can make an email seem like it is from anyone, including your bank or friend.
Phishing:
This is a growing tactic cyber cons use to “fish” for personal information. Keep in mind that banks, the government and software vendors do not send emails asking for account numbers or any “verification”. Many of these claims use emotional distress to catch victims off guard. An email may include something that could make you mad, like a threat to apply fees or freeze your account for something you didn’t do. This may skew your judgment. Before taking action, really think about what the email is saying and if it seems legitimate. If so, call the bank or vendor using a number you know, not the one in the email.
More Advice :
If you are looking for more advice on how to protect your computer, check out Tallahassee Tech Guy Computer Tips and free online lessons. |
