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Staying on top of your own personal cybersecurity can be a taunting task, especially if you don’t consider yourself to be “tech savvy”. But being cyber secure is not as complicated as it sounds. Don’t be put off by thinking enhancing your security and protecting your sensitive data is a technical skill. Its driven by common sense and built on fundamentals that everyone can implement at home and at work.
Here are a few easy tips that we should all be practicing to prevent cybercrime:
Use a password manager
Using a password manager helps to create strong and complex passwords for all accounts without having to memorize them. You only need to remember one mast password and the manager with do the rest, making sure that all your accounts have separate and unique passwords to prevent a password related security failure.
Install anti-virus software on every device
Running antivirus and anti-malware software has been a standard safety measure every since computers became mainstream. Now, it is as equally as important to give your mobile devices the same protection.
Enable automatic updates
It's important to keep all your computers and other devices up to date with the latest software or firmware. If you skip this step then you will become more susceptible to viruses. When a manufacturer send you updates its most often a security patch. It is critical to enable automatic updates on all devices to ensure your security. If automatic updates are not an option, regularly verify that your systems are kept up to date manually.
Be aware and mindful of ATM and Credit Card Transactions
ATM and credit card skimmers are all around us. Card readers are installed in a variety of ways and it can happen right in front of you. Your credit card data is skimmed and then transmitted back to the thief. Keep an eye out for loosely installed or connected card readers or visible and messy wiring at an ATM or gas pump, these are common places of installation and a probable sign of a criminal’s card skimmer. It pays to be paranoid.
Keep a tidy workspace
Yes, a messy desk can contribute to a security breech if you handle sensitive data. If you aren’t aware of where everything is, reports containing customer, vendor, or employee information can easily be compromised. Not locking your computer or filing cabinet could also allow access to data that should not have been accessible. USB drives or mobile on your desk are targets for theft and while it may seem obvious you should never write user ids or passwords on paper or sticky notes and leave exposed on your desk.
These simple steps can go a long way in preventing identity theft and maintaining your cyber security.
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