Cybersecurity Awareness – Do You Know Where Your Data Is?

Do You Know Where Your Data Is?

You might think, “I’m careful online. I don’t share much about myself.” However, even the smallest pieces of information you share can be used by cyber criminals. Here are some of the easiest ways criminals gain access to your personal data:

1. Social Media Posts

 – When you post about your life—whether it’s your birthday, where you work, or even the name of your pet—you’re giving away bits of personal information. Think about how many times a website asks you to provide answers to security questions. Frequent questions include “What’s your mother’s maiden name?” or “What’s the name of your first pet?” If you’ve shared this information on your social media, you’ve made it easier for someone to hack into your accounts.

2. Location Sharing

 – Posting photos or checking in at your favorite places can be fun, but it also tells people where you are at any given moment. Sharing your location can give cyber criminals clues about your routines. If you frequently tag your location, a criminal could figure out when you’re not home, making it easier to target you. Check the privacy settings on your phone and social media apps to ensure that location sharing is turned off. You don’t need to let everyone know where you are at all times.

3. Public Profiles

 – If your social media accounts are public, anyone can see what you share. Even if you think your posts are harmless, they can give away personal details. For example, many people post pictures of important milestones like getting a driver’s license or to celebrate other milestones. Make sure those posts don’t include pictures that might expose valuable information like your full name, date of birth, address, or telephone number. Make sure your profile is only shared with those you know and trust.

4. Online Quizzes and Games

 – Online quizzes are a gold mine for cybercriminals! You’ve probably seen fun quizzes and games on social media that ask questions like, “What’s your favorite breed of dog?” or “Which celebrity do you look like?” While these seem innocent, they often ask for information that could be used as security questions on other accounts. When you play these games, you might be giving away answers that can help a cyber-criminal hack into your personal accounts.

5. Email Scams (Phishing)

 – Phishing emails look like they come from trusted sources but are actually designed to trick you into giving away personal information. These emails might ask for your login details or other sensitive information. If you’re not careful, you could easily share your information with the wrong people.

Ways to Minimize Sharing Your Information

The good news is that there are simple steps you can take to minimize the amount of personal information you share online. By being careful about what you post and how you use the internet, you can reduce the risk of cyber criminals targeting you.

1. Limit What You Share on Social Media or Other Platforms

Before posting, ask yourself, “Do I really need to share this?” Remember, less is more when it comes to online sharing.

2. Don’t Share Sensitive Information via Email or Text (commonly known as phising)

If you receive an email or text asking for your personal information, be overly cautious. Even if they look official, it could be a phishing attempt. Never give out personal details like your passwords, credit card numbers, or Social Security number via email or text. If you’re unsure, contact the company directly using a trusted phone number or website to verify the request. Want to keep up to date with the latest consumer and industry scam alerts? Visit https://www.ic3.gov/ and read the latest announcements and common threats to avoid!

The Importance of Practicing Good Cyber Hygiene

Practicing good cybersecurity habits isn’t just for experts—everyone can do it! By taking simple steps to protect your information, you can avoid identity theft, monetary loss, and even the stress of having your personal data compromised. Cyber criminals are always coming up with new tricks, but if you stay aware and follow basic cybersecurity rules, you can make it much harder for them to target you. We recommend, at a minimum, these five habits to help you practice good cyber hygiene.

1. Use Strong Passwords

Creating strong, unique passwords for all your accounts is a non-negotiable habit. A good password includes a mix of upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. NEVER use easy-to-guess passwords like “123456” or “password.” Some people prefer to use sentences or short phrases, which is an uncomplicated way to include the mix of characters noted above. But if you really struggle with remembering your passwords, you can always use a password manager to keep them safe.

2. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

Two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security to your accounts. With 2FA, even if someone gets your password, they won’t be able to access your account without a second piece of information, like a code sent to your phone or authenticator app. We recommend that you take advantage of 2FA on any account that offers this capability. 

3. Update Your Software

Keep your computer, smartphone, and apps updated. Software updates often include security patches that protect you from the latest threats. If you ignore these updates, you’re leaving yourself vulnerable to attacks.

4. Be Careful If You Choose to Use Public Wi-Fi

When using public Wi-Fi, never access sensitive information like your bank account. Public networks are often unsecured, making it easy for cyber criminals to intercept your data. If you need to use public Wi-Fi, at a minimum use a virtual private network (VPN) to protect your information.

5. Back Up Your Data

Regularly back up your important files, either on an external hard drive or a secure cloud service. This way, if your device is ever hacked or infected with malware, you won’t lose all your valuable information.