Cybersecurity

When sharing personal information online, it is important to be aware of the potential risks and dangers that come with it.

• Your personal data can be used to impersonate you or access your accounts, as well as for identity theft, phishing scams, or other malicious activities.
• It’s best to never share your full name, date of birth, address, banking details, and security codes online; even if it seems legitimate.
• It is also important to ensure the website you are using is secure by checking for a padlock symbol and ‘https’ in front of the address. If a site does not have these indicators present, then it may not be safe for use and should be avoided if at all possible.
• Additionally, always take caution when responding to emails or messages from unknown senders. Even if the email looks genuine and appears to come from a trustworthy company, make sure you double-check anything that asks for personal information before responding.

Creating strong passwords and avoiding re-use is essential for online security. Doing so helps prevent hackers from gaining access to your accounts and stealing sensitive information, like financial data or personal documents. It also ensures that if one account is compromised, your other accounts remain secure.

• To create a strong password, use a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, symbols, and words that don’t relate to you in any way.
• Don’t use names, birthdates, addresses, or any other information that could easily be guessed.
• Make sure each password is unique; do not use the same password across multiple accounts.
• Where possible, opt to use two-factor authentication for extra protection.

When receiving emails from unknown senders, it is important to be on guard and avoid clicking on any links or attachments included in the message. This is because these links and attachments could be malicious, containing viruses or other malware that can harm your device. Hackers often use phishing tactics to try and collect personal information from unsuspecting victims using malicious links or attachments.

• If you encounter an email from an unfamiliar sender, do not open or click on any link or attachment they may have included.
• Look out for strange URLs, misspelled words, and urgent requests as all of these can be indicators of a malicious email.
• It is always best to err on the side of caution when it comes to opening emails from people you don’t know; delete any suspicious messages as quickly as possible to protect yourself against potential cyberattacks.

Keep your software up to date and install antivirus protection. Back up your data regularly. Use a secure file-sharing solution to share personal or sensitive data. Use a VPN to encrypt your connection and protect your private information, even from your internet service provider – especially important on public wifi. Check your statements and credit reports regularly.