October is National Cyber Security Awareness Month, a time for Kansans to think about how they handle their personal data on their phones and computer devices. With increased nationwide computer breeches and illegal activities, I urge you to protect your electronic communication activities, whether for insurance or other personal data.
Check out the following tips from the National Cyber Security Alliance, with more information available on the organization’s https://staysafeonline.org website.
Lock down your login
Your usernames and passwords are not enough to protect key accounts like email, banking and social media. Strengthen online accounts and use strong authentication tools – like biometrics, security keys or a unique, one-time code through an app on your mobile device – whenever offered.
Keep a clean machine
Keep all software on internet-connected devices – including personal computers, smartphones and tablets – current, to reduce risk of infection from ransomware and malware.
When in doubt, throw it out
Links in email, tweets, posts and online advertising are often how cybercriminals try to compromise your information. If it looks suspicious, even if you know the source, it’s best to delete or, if appropriate, mark it as junk.
Back it up
Protect your valuable work, music, photos and other digital information by making an electronic copy and storing it safely. If you have a copy of your data and your device falls victim to ransomware or other cyber threats, you will be able to restore the data from a backup.
Own your online presence
Set the privacy and security settings on websites to your comfort level for information sharing. It is OK to limit how and with whom you share information.
Share with care
Think before posting about yourself and others online. Consider what a post reveals, who might see it and how it might affect you or others.
Personal information is like money. Value it. Protect it.
Information about you, such as purchase history or location, has value – just like money. Be thoughtful about who gets that information and how it is collected by apps, websites and all connected devices.
Common sense action will help to make your personal data secure from unscrupulous hackers.
Ken Selzer, CPA, is Kansas Commissioner of Insurance.