October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month. Keep your online life safe and secure by following our recommended measures.

Did you know National Cyber Security Awareness Month is observed every October? Originally created 17 years ago by the Department of Homeland Security’s National Cyber Security Division, it aims to provide the support needed to be safer online. As our lives have recently shifted to become more virtually dependent, especially for school, work, and socializing, it’s now more important than ever to protect all of your digital devices. Check out a few of our cyber safety tips below.

  1.  Keep your systems and all applications up to date.
  2.  Invest in a good anti-virus program, keep virus definitions up to date.
  3.  Examine emails carefully. Only open emails from senders you know and verify you recognize the email address you are receiving messages from. Pay special attention to slightly modified emails, as scammers try to use this method to confuse users.
  4.  Do not open attachments unless you are expecting to receive something and you verified the sender’s email address.
  5.  Think about what you post on social media sites. Cyber criminals are browsing through profiles, pictures, and posts to see who might share a little too much information.
  6.  Passwords should be long and difficult to guess. Try not to use words found in the English dictionary, and create different passwords for each system you are regularly accessing.
  7.  Always access the internet using a secure internet connection. Although using public Wi-Fi to shop online is very convenient, it is not cyber safe. If you are making a purchase online, be sure to use a secure internet connection.
  8.  Log out when you are done using your device.
  9.  Configure privacy and security settings for all of the applications, accounts, and devices you use.
  10.  Get involved, help your parents, grandparents, children, and neighbors understand the importance of online security.

Learn more about how to keep yourself safe online by visiting the National Cyber Security Alliance’s website. And, for more tips on managing all the moving parts of your financial life, visit LakeShoreSavings.com/news.