Cybersecurity Checklist

Cybersecurity is the practice of protecting ourselves and our families online, as well as securing our personal information. Common sense, accountability, and responsibility are the cornerstones of cybersecurity.

We are all digital citizens living, working, and communicating in a cyber environment. In a world where so many of our activities and interactions can take place online and in cyberspace, it is critical that we recognize our individual responsibility to be aware of cybersecurity issues and educate ourselves on cybersecurity threats and defenses. We are all responsible for practicing and promoting cybersecurity.

Here are some basic steps you can take to start protecting yourself from cyber threats:

• Create and use strong, unique passwords
• Install anti-malware/anti-virus software on your computers and devices
• Update operating systems, anti-malware/anti-virus software, application software, and mobile apps
• Use screen locks & passcodes on your devices
• Back-up your content
• Think before you click!

How to recognize a phishing scam

Cyber criminals exploit people and steal confidential and sensitive information through various email-based strategies.

Here are some clues  to help you recognize a phishing scam.

• Requests for your username and/or password.(Credible institutions and organizations will not request personal information via email or phone)
• Time sensitive threats (e.g., your account will be closed if you do not respond immediately)
• Spelling and grammar mistakes
• Vague or missing information in the “from” field or email signature
• “To” field contains multiple random email address or is alphabetized
• Impersonal or awkward greetings, such as “Dear Mr. account holder”
• Unexpected files or downloads
• Links that don’t refer to the sender or sender’s organization
• Emails about accounts that you don’t have, such as eBay or PayPal, or banks that you don’t have accounts with
• Emails “from” celebrities
• Asks you to reply in order to “opt out” of a service
• Plays on human emotions to evoke sympathy, kindness, fear, worry, anxiety, or excitement