#CyberAware Month is here!

Week 1: Getting started!

You have heard it a million times already: Update, Scan, Secure your computer....it is a lot to take in, and can be very intimidating if you are not familiar with computers.  Over the next month, we hope that we can help you with some easy to follow suggestions that will put you in a much better #CyberAware position than you started with!!

• Stay Up to Date - Basically put, if you are not running the latest software on your Computers/Phones then you are putting yourself at risk.  Most updates are FREE and should automatically be installed on your devices, Windows being the exception....it is about $100.  Make sure they are set to automatically update!
• Phones & Tablets - More and more the mobile device is starting to replace your computer, you have to treat it just like a computer also!  Be mindful of where you connect, who has access, and what you download and view on it!
• Passwords - This is where most people stumble. Follow these 3-steps to protect yourself
  • Try to use unique passwords at different sites, at the very LEAST make sure the one for your email is unique!
  • Instead of a word, try using a phrase that makes sense to you. Like "OreoCookiesAreTheBest2016". Check out this funny, and true, comic describing this: https://xkcd.com/936/ (just don't use the password from the joke!)
  • Two Factor Authentication - If your password ever does get compromised, this can save you. Unlike a password, it is not something that you have to remember, just have it in your possession. At minimum this should be active on your email.  https://www.lockdownyourlogin.com/

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Check out our Cyber Safety page HERE