A Guide to Your Cybersecurity

The internet offers access to a world of products and services, entertainment, and information. At the same time, it creates opportunities for scammers, hackers, and identity thieves. Learn how to protect your computer, your information, and your online files.

Update Your Software. Outdated software is easier for criminals to break into. Keep your software – including your operating system, the web browsers you use to connect to the Internet, and your apps – up to date to protect against the latest threats. Most software can update automatically, so make sure to set yours to do so.

Protect Your Personal Information. In an effort to steal your information, scammers will do everything they can to appear trustworthy. Your Social Security number, credit card numbers, and bank and utility account numbers can be used to steal your money or open new accounts in your name. So every time you are asked for your personal information – whether in a web form, an email, a text, or a phone message – think about why someone needs it and whether you can really trust the request. 

Protect Your Passwords. Here are a few ideas for creating strong passwords and keeping them safe:

• Use at least 10 characters; 12 is ideal for most home users.
• Try to be unpredictable – don’t use names, dates, or common words. Mix numbers, symbols, and capital letters into the middle of your password, not at the beginning or end.
• Don’t use the same password for many accounts. If it’s stolen from you – or from one of the companies where you do business – thieves can use it to take over all your accounts.
• Don’t share passwords on the phone, in texts or by email. Legitimate companies will not ask you for your password.
•  If you write down a password, keep it locked up, out of plain sight.
• Change your passwords every 90 days.

Consider Turning On Two-Factor Authentication. For accounts that support it, two-factor authentication requires both your password and an additional piece of information to log in to your account. The second piece could be a code sent to your phone or a random number generated by an app or a token. This protects your account even if your password is compromised.

Give Personal Information Over Encrypted Websites Only. If you’re shopping or banking online, stick to sites that use encryption to protect your information as it travels from your computer to their server. To determine if a website is encrypted, look for https at the beginning of the web address. That means the site is more secure.

Back Up Your Files. No system is completely secure. Copy your files to an external hard drive or cloud storage. If your computer is attacked by malware, you’ll still have access to your files. 

• Equifax:  800-525-6285 
• Experian:  888-397-3742
• TransUnion:  800-680-7289