October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month – Own IT. Secure IT. Protect IT.
October 22, 2019
By Jeff McCulloch, Yeo & Yeo Computer Consulting
October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month (NCSAM) and 2019 marks the 16th year since the National Cyber Security Alliance started the initiative. This year, the theme is Own IT. Secure IT. Protect IT. The alliance is focused on encouraging personal accountability and proactive behavior in security best practices, and digital privacy.
You and your employees can Own IT, Secure IT, and Protect IT. in several ways. The NCSAM campaign suggests:
Own IT.
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Never click and tell: stay safe on social media
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Update privacy settings
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Keep tabs on your apps: follow best practices for device applications
Secure IT.
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Shake up your passphrase protocol: create strong, unique passphrases
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Double your login protection: turn on multi-factor authentication
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Shop safe online
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Play hard to get with strangers: learn how to spot and avoid phishing threats
Protect IT.
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If you connect, you must protect: update to the latest security software, web browser, and operating systems
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Stay protected while connected: ensure Wi-Fi safety
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If you collect it, protect it: keep customer/consumer data and information safe
Questions you should ask yourself include:
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Have I provided cybersecurity training for my staff?
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Are security policies and procedures in place?
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Has a security audit been completed recently?
A great way to spread the word for this year’s NCSAM campaign is to read and share cybersecurity best practices on social media by using the hashtag #BeCyberAware.
Learn more, get involved and do your part to make the internet safer and more secure for everyone by visiting staysafeonline.org/ncsam.
YYCC has a catalog of security articles that can also be shared and remember that YYCC can help ensure your data is protected.
Cybercrime is real, and it’s increasing …
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Mobile and Apple/iOS attacks on the rise. Phishing attacks targeting Apple products has hit a new high this year, with around 1.6 million campaigns currently trying to target iOS and Mac devices.
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99% of all email attacks rely on a victim clicking on a link.
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CEO Fraud, a scam in which cybercriminals impersonate executives, continues to increase. FBI statistics show that CEO fraud scammed over $26 billion from victims between June 2016 and July 2019. CEO fraud increased by 100 percent between May 2018 and July 2019.
YYCC can help protect your organization with these preventative services:
YeoSecure is 24/7/365 security monitoring of networks and is designed to prevent and accelerate the detection of cybersecurity threats.
Security Awareness Training showcases best practices for a company’s first line of defense — its employees — and teaches them the dangers of online threats.
As always, remember to be aware and think before you click!