Cybersecurity Awareness Month 2023: Secure Our World
October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, a global education effort on how to safe and protected when using technology, whenever and however you connect.
This year's theme is Secure Our World, which reminds us that there are simple ways to protect ourselves, our families, and our businesses from online threats.
Here are four key behaviors that everyone can follow to help keep their data safe:
Use strong passwords and a password manager. A strong password is at least 12 characters long and includes a mix of upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. A password manager can help you create and store strong passwords for all of your online accounts.
Turn on multifactor authentication (MFA). MFA adds an extra layer of security to your online accounts by requiring you to enter a code from your phone in addition to your password when logging in.
Recognize and report phishing. Phishing emails and text messages are designed to trick you into revealing your personal information, such as your passwords or credit card numbers. If you receive a suspicious message, do not click on any links or open any attachments. Instead, report it to the sender's organization.
Update software. Software updates often include security patches that can help protect your devices from known vulnerabilities. Make sure to install updates as soon as they are available.
In addition to these four key behaviors, there are many other things you can do to protect your cybersecurity, such as being careful about what information you share online, being aware of the risks of public Wi-Fi networks, and using a VPN when connecting to unsecured networks.
By following these tips, you can help to keep your data safe and secure.