CDE Lightband has some tips for you to protect yourself from spooky viral threats
The internet can be a scary place these days with all your added internet devices
opening up to greater risks of hacks, scams, and viruses.
Scary Facts:
● 61.5% of all internet users are not humans, but “bots”
● 100 Billion spam emails are sent every day
● 1 in 10 social media users have been a victim of a cyber attack
Here are some practical tips to keep in mind when using the internet.
Unique Passwords
● Create strong passwords for all your critical accounts. Use a password manager
to help you store and create strong passwords for all your accounts.
○ You can also use multi-factor authentication which requires a code sent
to your phone for password and passphrase.
Boost your Network security
● You might be protected at home or at work, but what about when you’re on the
road? You could be tempted to use free, public Wi-Fi that is unsecure.
● Consider investing in a virtual Private Network (VPN). A piece of software that
creates a secure connection over the internet, so you can safely connect from
anywhere.
● With CDE, we have real-time protection with Smartband to ensure all connected
devices are protected from hackers and cyberattacks.
Use a Firewall
● This is an electronic barrier that blocks unauthorized access to your computer
and devices.
Watch your clicking
● Careless clicking can trick you into revealing personal information. Spam emails
and phony “free’ offers are click bait and can entice you to click on dangerous
links. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably isn’t.
Protect your phones
● Mobile devices can be vulnerable to online threats with links sent by text
messages.
● Don’t respond to strangers and only download apps from official app stores.
Safe Shopping
● When shopping online, make sure that the site’s address starts with “https”
instead of just “http”. The “s” indicates the website is secure and uses
encryption to scramble your data so it can’t be intercepted by others.
Stay up-to-date
● Online threats are evolving all the time, so make sure you know what to look out
for.
Backup your data
● Do this on a regular basis in case something goes wrong.
For more information about security online, contact CDE Technical Support at (931) 648-8151.