Cybersecurity Awareness Month: A Time to Strengthen Your Online Security

As cyber threats evolve, it’s important to be proactive about protecting yourself and your organization. Cybersecurity education plays a crucial role in promoting awareness and safe online practices through various initiatives and partnerships. Here are five key practices to improve your online security: 

Free resources are available to support organizations in their Cybersecurity Awareness Month activities, enhancing cybersecurity practices throughout the year. 

1. Recognize and Report Phishing Emails

Phishing emails are a common tactic where attackers pretend to be a trusted source, such as a vendor or a coworker, to trick you into downloading malicious software or giving away sensitive information. Recognizing and reporting these emails is crucial to safeguarding against online threats. Here’s how to defend against phishing: 

• • Don’t click on any links or download attachments in suspicious emails. 

• • Verify the sender’s identity by contacting them through an official communication method. 

• • Report the phishing email to your IT department or security team and delete it.

1. Create Secure Passwords

Online safety is paramount, and creating strong, unique passwords is essential to protect yourself online. Best practices include: 

• • Use long, random, and complex passwords with at least 16 characters, including numbers, symbols, and both uppercase and lowercase letters. 

• • Create unique passwords for each of your accounts. Consider using a password manager to help you generate and store them securely. 

• • Use passphrases made up of 5-7 random words that you’ll remember but are difficult for attackers to guess. 

3. Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

Enhance cybersecurity awareness by enabling MFA, which adds an additional layer of protection to your online accounts. Even if someone has your password, they’ll need to pass an additional verification step, which could be: 

• • A code sent to your phone or email. 

• • A fingerprint or facial recognition scan. 

Make sure to enable MFA on all accounts that offer it, especially for email, social media, and financial accounts. 

4. Update Software Regularly

Software updates are crucial for keeping your devices secure. Cybercriminals often exploit outdated software to gain access to networks. 

• • Install updates as soon as they become available to ensure your system has the latest security patches. 

• • Set your devices to automatically update, so you don’t have to worry about missing critical updates. 

Cyber Awareness Month is a great reminder to revisit your cybersecurity habits and ensure you’re taking the necessary steps to protect yourself online. By following these best practices, you can make a significant impact on reducing the risk of cyber threats and raise cybersecurity awareness.