How to Protect Yourself Online
Cybersecurity awareness training is a constant continuous process that lasts throughout the year. October is a month chosen and recognized worldwide as Cybersecurity Awareness Month to inform the public of the importance of cybersecurity. The European Cyber Security Month (ECSM) is the EU’s annual cybersecurity awareness campaign that takes place each October across Europe. The ECSM aims to raise awareness about cybersecurity threats and promote cybersecurity among citizens and organizations through education and the sharing of good practices. Also, in the USA, there is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month (NCSAM). NCSAM is a collaborative effort between government and industry to raise awareness about the importance of cybersecurity and ensure that all Americans have the resources they need to be safer and more secure online. We will also take part in this international initiative and provide you with security tips to stay safe online:
1. Review your financial transaction history regularly – if you think someone used your account, immediately change your password and contact your financial services provider.
2. Keep your information safe – never share your password or account information with anyone. A financial institution will never ask you for your credentials (for example by email or phone). If you receive an email that appears to be from financial services that you are using that asks for such details, then treat it with suspicion as it may well be a phishing attempt to trick you into handing your credentials over. Likewise, be aware of links in emails that appear to be from financial services you are using – this is a trick often employed by the bad guys to get you onto a website that looks like ours and steal your credentials.
3. Use strong passwords – Use a unique and complex password different from any other password you use. A good password should be at least 8 characters long, contain uppercase and lowercase letters, numerals, and a special character (I,e, @#&!). Never use your real name or identifying information in your password.
4. Update your browser – if you’re using an out-of-date version of your browser, you could be vulnerable to attack. Get the latest version from the vendor’s website.
5. Secure your computer – use antivirus software and a firewall to protect your computer from intruders. Never open files from unknown sources. If your computer isn’t safe, neither is your money.
6. Don’t access to financial services on public computers – public computers could be jeopardized. Without owning it, you can never be sure that a computer is secure. This includes computers at libraries, hotels, internet cafes, etc.
7. Update your computer – Install all updates for the operating system that you use and regularly update all programs. An outdated version of any program can be vulnerable to attacks.
8. Do not use unsecured public Wi-Fi networks – Avoid accessing your account on public WI-FI hotspots like one at a coffee shop or airport. If you need to use public Wi-Fi consider using a VPN (Virtual Private Network) for securing your access.
9. Use Two-Factor Authentication – Two-factor authentication (also known as 2FA) is a method of confirming users’ claimed identities by using a combination of two different factors: 1) something they know, 2) something they have, or 3) something they are. Security experts worldwide recommend Two-Step Authentication, and so do we.
