Due to the increase in threats to technology and confidential information/data, the President of the United States and Congress have designated October as Cybersecurity Awareness Month each year since 2004.
The dedication of October in this way allows the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the National Cybersecurity Alliance (NCA) to lead a collaborative effort between government and industry to raise cybersecurity awareness nationally and internationally.
Each year, CISA and NCA implement a themed campaign aimed at providing information that enables people and organizations to take an active role in keeping their information safe now and in the future.
Borrowing from 2022’s theme of See Yourself in Cyber, we’ve outlined four things you can do to keep your personal information protected.
Enable Multi-Factor Authentication
Multi-factor authentication is a process by which a user is required to enter a minimum of two different types of secure information into a platform in order to gain access to its resources.
This authentication process could mean that to log into a bank account, you enter a username and password in the first step, and then answer security questions, or enter a PIN in a second step. Types of authentication include biometric like a fingerprint or face ID. It might also take the form of a text message with a one-time code, or other unique identifier.
Anytime you have the option to enable multi-factor authentication, do it. Having several layers set up in order to gain access to your information makes it all the more difficult for scammers and increases the level of security.
Use Strong Passwords
Pro-tip: never use personal information or identifiers in your passwords. This includes info such as your name, birthday, username, email, family names, pet names, or other info that could easily be gleaned from public records or social media.
Additional tips for building strong passwords include:
- Make your passwords longer and more complicated, utilizing special characters and phrases rather than single words.
- Use a different password for every account.
- Create a random password – it’s one of the best ways to protect your info.
Recognize and Report Phishing
Phishing is a type of fraud in which scammers use email or text messages to gain access to your personal information like passwords, account info/numbers, or even your Social Security number. Often, their communications appear to be legitimate and may even contain correct branding and other indicators of the specific company they are impersonating.
Identifying phishing attacks can be complicated, but we’ve got a blog post for that! Read our article about how to protect yourself from a phishing scam and you’ll be armed with vital info you need to avoid falling victim to this increasingly popular form of fraud.
Update Your Software
This might not seem like an obvious tactic you can employ to protect your personal info, but it’s an important one.
Staying up to date with the latest software on your devices like your smartphone, tablet, or computer is an easy way to ensure that your device is running the most up-to-date version of an operating system or program. It can also help prevent security issues, provide important security patches, and increase the functionality of your devices, overall. A highly functional device with updated software is less vulnerable to attacks.
PSECU Prioritizes Protecting Members
By taking the actions on this list, you can proactively safeguard your information. Know, too, that PSECU is protecting our members every day with our fraud and financial crimes teams, digital banking security technology, and other security features, all in the name of keeping your information safe and secure. You can learn more about all we do on the security page of our website.
If you’re not a PSECU member, consider joining the more than 500,000 other members who call our credit union home and who benefit from our efforts focused on safeguarding our members' personal and financial data.
