Media Bytes – Issue 10

Sac City Tech Media Bytes
May 28, 2019

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Are You Secure?

We lockup our homes, we lockup our cars and we even lockup our smartphones, computers, and accounts with passwords. But is that enough? Well it’s a start.

In this digital age, there are many threats that put us at risk.

We risk having confidential information leaked, having money stolen from our financial accounts, we even risk having our data destroyed.

Here are some common security risks that happen to many every single day:

– Malware/Viruses the can spread and cause any number of destructive issues.

– Ransomeware can lockup your data with a warning that you will not be able to access your data unless you pay the ransom.

– Password theft – This is a big one which is why many systems now ask a number of security questions to protect your account from unauthorized access.

– Identity Theft is a growing threat.

– Hackers trying to break into systems stealing information, money and conducting other destructive activities.

– Impersonation – Many people will send out messages in email to their contacts or on Social Media saying that one of the accounts have been hacked when in fact they haven’t. The impersonators pretend to be someone by setting up fake accounts trying to get others to trust them. They also may send out an email using a technique called “Spoofing” where the email from line looks like it’s from one person, but it’s actually someone else.

Here’s a few tips to help prevent mistakes that compromise your security as well as protect your data from loss. Understanding that nothing is perfect and foolproof, you can greatly improve your security with some simple measures.

Passwords – Did you know that some of the most common passwords, even today, are “password”, “123456”, “qwerty”? Use something unique and mixup the spelling a bit and use some numbers and special characters. For example, instead of using “password”, use “Pa$$w0rd!”. This is just example, don’t use any version of “password”, be different.

Backups – Do regular backups of your data. This was covered in more detail in a previous mailing. Being able to restore data from a backup for an attack and minimize or even eliminate the risk of lost data.

Protect yourself from “Social Engineering” which can be used to get you to reveal information that might allow others to figure out how to access your accounts. This is where someone will use various ways to collect enough information where they may try to impersonate you, guess your passwords or even steal your identity. Shred documents with personal information on them, don’t give out passwords, account numbers, social security numbers, etc. on-line or off. And keep in mind, nobody is going to call you from any legitimate company or organization asking for your password, there’s a lot of scammers out there trying all sorts of tricks to take advantage of the unsuspecting!

That’s it for this week.

Have a great, successful and prosperous week. Please let us know if there is anything we can do to help you!

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