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Combatting Cybercrime

The more we do online, the greater the increase in cybercrimes increases not only in scale but in frequency. Cybercrime includes online fraud, identity theft, cyber stalking, cyberbullying, email scams, phishing & more. Here are a few helpful tips to help combat cybercrime:

  • Cybercriminals look for weak passwords, weak privacy settings & outdated security software
  • Phishing emails are often the way thieves access your online accounts. If an email looks suspicious, it’s best to delete it
  • Avoid free Wi-Fi networks. Sensitive info can be compromised on public W-Fi
  • Always keep your mobile devices & apps updated to protect yourself
  • Unencrypted Wi-Fi networks are open to anyone—including cyber criminals—so keep sensitive data safe by never transmitting credit card numbers or other personal information on an unencrypted network
  • Is your connected refrigerator putting your home network on risk? Any devices connected to the Internet – like smart thermostats, coffee pots, health trackers, and refrigerators – need to be updated to protect the network to which they are connected.
  • Your home’s wireless router is the primary entrance for cybercriminals to access all of your connected devices. Secure your Wi-Fi network, and your digital devices, by changing the factory set default password.
  • Keep your operating system, browser, and other critical software optimized by installing updates.
  • Cybercriminals look for weak passwords, weak privacy settings, and outdated security software. Protect yourself from cybercrime by using strong passwords and enabling multi-factor authentication. It requires an additional step after passwords, often a PIN texted to your cell.
  • Is your connected refrigerator putting your home network on risk? Any devices connected to the Internet – like smart thermostats, coffee pots, health trackers, and refrigerators – need to be updated to protect the network to which they are connected.

If you or your business become a victim of cybercrime, be sure to file a report @USCERT_gov @ www.us-cert.gov

(Tips provided by the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) StopThinkConnect)