November 2020
Financial Planning

People often think of computer security as something technical and complicated. And when you get into the nitty-gritty, it can be—but the most important stuff is actually very simple. Here are the basic, important things you should do to make yourself safer online. Here is our "Top 10" List of Secure Computing Tips:

Tip #1 - You are a target to hackers - Don't ever say, "It won't happen to me." We are all at risk and the stakes are high - both for your personal and financial well-being. Cybersecurity is everyone's responsibility.

Tip #2 - Keep software up-to-date - Installing software updates for your operating system and programs is critical. Always install the latest security updates for your devices:

• Turn on Automatic Updates for your operating system.

• Use web browsers such as Chrome or Firefox that receive frequent, automatic security updates.

• Make sure to keep browser plug-ins (Flash, Java, etc.) up-to-date

Tip #3 - Avoid Phishing scams - beware of suspicious emails and phone calls - Phishing scams are a constant threat that cyber-criminals will attempt to trick you into divulging personal information such as your login ID and password, banking or credit card information.

• Phishing scams can be carried out by phone, text, or through social networking sites - but most commonly by email.

• Be suspicious of any official-looking email message or phone call that asks for personal or financial information.

Tip #4 - Practice good password management - We all have too many passwords to manage - and it's easy to take short-cuts, like reusing the same password. A password manager can help you to maintain strong unique passwords for all of your accounts. These programs can generate strong passwords for you, enter credentials automatically, and remind you to update your passwords periodically. As a note, that as challenging as it is to use different passwords for different accounts, it’s so important to mitigate a hacker gaining access unto several accounts at once.

Tip #5 - Be careful what you click- Avoid visiting unknown websites or downloading software from untrusted sources. These sites often host malware that will automatically install (often silently) and compromise your computer. If attachments or links in the email are unexpected or suspicious for any reason, don't click on it.

Tip #6 - Never leave devices unattended - The physical security of your devices is just as important as their technical security.

• If you need to leave your laptop, phone, or tablet for any length of time - lock it up so no one else can use it.

• If you keep protected data on a flash drive or external hard drive, make sure their encrypted and locked up as well.

• For desktop computers, lock your screen or shut-down the system when not in use.

Tip #7 - Safeguard Protected Data - Be aware of Protected Data that you come into contact with and its associated restrictions. In general:

• Keep high-level Protected Data (e.g., SSN's, credit card information, student records, health information, etc.) off of your workstation, laptop, or mobile devices.

• Securely remove sensitive data files from your system when they are no longer needed.

• Always use encryption when storing or transmitting sensitive data.

Tip #8 - Use mobile devices safely - Considering how much we rely on our mobile devices and how susceptible they are to attack, you'll want to make sure you are protected:

• Lock your device with a PIN or password - and never leave it unprotected in public.

• Only install apps from trusted sources (Apple AppStore, Google Play).

• Keep the device's operating system up-to-date.

• Don't click on links or attachments from unsolicited emails or texts.

• Avoid transmitting or storing personal information on the device.

• Most handheld devices are capable of employing data encryption - consult your device's documentation for available options.

• Use Apple's Find my iPhone or the Android Device Manager tools to help prevent loss or theft.

Tip #9 - Install antivirus/anti-malware protection - Only install these programs from a known and trusted source. Keep virus definitions, engines and software up-to-date to ensure your programs remains effective.

Tip #10 - Back up your data - Back up regularly - if you are a victim of a security incident, the only guaranteed way to repair your computer is to erase and re-install the system.

And lastly, we would like to emphasize the fact that you should NEVER EVER EVER save your credit card number to an account profile! If you feel like you may have been compromised, just give us a call at the office immediately so we can help you decide the best course of action to avoid further damage.

If you have questions, please contact us.

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