Cybersecurity is not just an issue for large companies or government agencies. It is an issue for all that use the Internet and email. Everyone can be and is a target.
The most common effort to place malware on your computer or smart phone, or steal vital personal information or logins/passwords is through a phishing scam. Authentic-looking text messages or emails from your financial institution, the IRS, phone provider, or email service, ask for you to take some kind of action by clicking on a link. That link is where the action to infect your device or lure giving up personal information occurs.
When you receive these kinds of inquiries, take a close look at the sender’s information. Phishing schemes quite often infect other user’s devices and use their email or text to send more phishing information from their address book. If you see that, delete it. And if you have questions about the authenticity of the inquiry, call the organization to verify the inquiry. This step will help avoid becoming a victim of identity theft as well.
Another rising cybersecurity concern for individuals is ransomware. Ransomware is where bad actors lock your computer and try to extort money from you to get your files returned.
There are steps to take to avoid becoming a victim of cyber theft. One key step is how you manage your passwords. One high-tech reporter noted this phrase that rings so true. Passwords are like underwear: change them often, don’t share them and…
