The First form of verification is passwords. They are also the first thing to be attacked. Protect them, and information they secure using Password Managers. Almost every website or app needs some form of verification. Username and passwords are forefronts in verification and security. Prevent potential cyber-attacks and upgrade your passwords.
Prevent Potential Cyber Attacks With Strong Passwords
Many make the mistake of thinking that cybersecurity is a problem only for larger organizations. In practice, this cannot be further from the truth. Because the future also looked bleak, given that the damage from cybercrime is expected to reach a huge figure. Organizations that do not implement strategic plans against future attacks are likely to be affected. From malware to worms, scams, and viruses, there are security concerns that need to be addressed to prevent downtime. However, in the field of cybersecurity, prevention is better than cure. Implementing an organization-wide strategy to address future threats will go a long way toward ongoing maintenance. It also helps reduce damage. Password management is one of the most important best practices to follow. It provides a basic way to restrict access to key systems, accounts, and services. While most will know about the importance of choosing strong passwords, there will be many who won’t or don’t want to. This means that it is useful to take the lead and write some organizational guidelines on password requirements.
When you do this, the first thing you want to clarify is that you need to use a unique password that is not used anywhere else. The password itself should contain a mixture of uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols. This will give you significant protection against attempted harassment.
It is also a good idea to provide password storage information. Complex passwords are good for cybersecurity, but they are often difficult to remember. To make the password easier to remember, it's a good idea to store it in an encrypted software solution or password management application.
The ultimate ingredient in successful password management is ensuring that passwords are updated regularly. However, there is a right way and a wrong way to encourage it. If it is updated too often, you will eventually get weak passwords because the staff runs out of ideas (or motivations). To continue generating new passwords.
As a general guideline, two to three changes each year should be the minimum. However, the password should always be changed if you suspect it is compromised or you or a staff member are currently using a weak password. Although passwords are very important, they are not invisible to breaches. A dedicated attacker can go through billions of passwords in minutes. Many organizations have turned to two-factor authentication as an additional barrier to making these attacks unattractive.
Two-factor authentication is when you log in to your account and you are asked to enter other information that will verify your identity. In most cases, this will be a code that is textual to your mobile phone number or other email address, although it may be a fingerprint. Many companies choose to use physical devices, such as key films, that are beyond the reach of hackers. Two-factor authentication makes the job of a hacker ten times more difficult and is a welcome addition to password security.
Keeping your computer locked is one of the best ways to ensure the physical security of your data. While many employees will be aware of the importance of passwords, the threats posed by leaving the device open can be easily overlooked. To prevent the loss, theft, or destruction of data, staff must be aware of the hazards. Within your cybersecurity policy details, both computers and mobile phones should remain locked when not in use. Although most employees are not criminals, there is a minority who would not think twice about accessing private data. You can also set user locking devices after they have been inactive for some time. One of your biggest advantages against cyber threats is your software. Constantly updating software against external threats is vital to the long-term protection of your service. Software updates act as a barrier to this by fixing known bugs, security issues, and general vulnerabilities to improve performance and prevent data loss or destruction.
Finally, one of the most important factors to consider is the response to feedback. How effective your cybersecurity policies are coming down to how well your staff enforces them. If staff feel frustrated because current guidelines take up a lot of their time, it is important to respond to this feedback.
Hackers who try to falsely log in and read your data must either guess the password or steal encrypted passwords from the company's server. At the time of the theft of encrypted passwords, attackers cannot read any of them. However, such attacks are frequent and successful. What is it really about?
When encrypted passwords are stolen, attackers can try to guess them endlessly, because then they have no system limit. For this, they need specially formed files with character combinations in the form of the most commonly used passwords. They encrypt each of them and then search through the database of stolen encrypted passwords. Where overlap occurs, they can safely claim to have guessed the password. The files used are called dictionaries, and the technique is called a dictionary attack. Dictionaries can also contain familiar, legible words, but also possible passwords, which consist of characters from three or even all four possible sets (numbers, symbols, lowercase and uppercase letters). Vocabulary attack is a very fast and successful method for detecting predictable passwords.
One of the safest solutions is a password manager, which serves you without worries about the organization with passwords. Password managers, like Keeper Password Manager & Digital Vault, provide you with a lot of different security features, and password upgrades. Whether it is dark web protection in question, or encrypted chat services for your business, this tool upgrades your security, and your password protection. Some prefer simple offline solutions that store all passwords on your device, others, more functional tools that also present synchronization capabilities. Well-known password managers are generally considered to be a very secure and reliable way to store them. However, some details are worth considering: To access all your passwords, you only need to know one master password. How else can you save important passwords? Here are some options: On paper in the safe, the access you and your family members will have (not suitable for passwords you often have to use). The offline password database is stored on a permanent storage device and duplicated somewhere in case of loss.
There is no excuse to be lazy when you follow simple security rules to keep confidential information. Be secure and carefree, use strong and complex passwords and password managers.
Online Threat Alerts Security Tips
Pay the safest way
Credit cards are the safest way to pay for online purchases because you can dispute the charges if you never get the goods or services or if the offer was misrepresented. Federal law limits your liability to $50 if someone makes unauthorized charges to your account, and most credit card issuers will remove them completely if you report the problem promptly.
Guard your personal information
In any transaction you conduct, make sure to check with your state or local consumer protection agency and the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to see if the seller, charity, company, or organization is credible. Be especially wary if the entity is unfamiliar to you. Always call the number found on a website’s contact information to make sure the number legitimately belongs to the entity you are dealing with.
Be careful of the information you share
Never give out your codes, passwords or personal information, unless you are sure of who you're dealing with
Know who you’re dealing with
Crooks pretending to be from companies you do business with may call or send an email, claiming they need to verify your personal information. Don’t provide your credit card or bank account number unless you are actually paying for something and know who you are sending payment to. Your social security number should not be necessary unless you are applying for credit. Be especially suspicious if someone claiming to be from a company with whom you have an account asks for information that the business already has.
Check your accounts
Regularly check your account transactions and report any suspicious or unauthorised transactions.
Don’t believe promises of easy money
If someone claims that you can earn money with little or no work, get a loan or credit card even if you have bad credit, or make money on an investment with little or no risk, it’s probably a scam. Oftentimes, offers that seem too good to be true, actually are too good to be true.
Do not open email from people you don’t know
If you are unsure whether an email you received is legitimate, try contacting the sender directly via other means. Do not click on any links in an email unless you are sure it is safe.
Think before you click
If an email or text message looks suspicious, don’t open any attachments or click on the links.
Verify urgent requests or unsolicited emails, messages or phone calls before you respond
If you receive a message or a phone call asking for immediate action and don't know the sender, it could be a phishing message.
Be careful with links and new website addresses
Malicious website addresses may appear almost identical to legitimate sites. Scammers often use a slight variation in spelling or logo to lure you. Malicious links can also come from friends whose email has unknowingly been compromised, so be careful.
Secure your personal information
Before providing any personal information, such as your date of birth, Social Security number, account numbers, and passwords, be sure the website is secure.
Stay informed on the latest cyber threats
Keep yourself up to date on current scams by visiting this website daily.
Use Strong Passwords
Strong passwords are critical to online security.
Keep your software up to date and maintain preventative software programs
Keep all of your software applications up to date on your computers and mobile devices. Install software that provides antivirus, firewall, and email filter services.
Update the operating systems on your electronic devices
Make sure your operating systems (OSs) and applications are up to date on all of your electronic devices. Older and unpatched versions of OSs and software are the target of many hacks. Read the CISA security tip on Understanding Patches and Software Updates for more information.
What if You Got Scammed?
Stop Contact With The Scammer
Hang up the phone. Do not reply to emails, messages, or letters that the scammer sends. Do not make any more payments to the scammer. Beware of additional scammers who may contact you claiming they can help you get your lost money back.
Secure Your Finances
- Report potentially compromised bank account, credit or debit card information to your financial institution(s) immediately. They may be able to cancel or reverse fraudulent transactions.
- Notify the three major credit bureaus. They can add a fraud alert to warn potential credit grantors that you may be a victim of identity theft. You may also want to consider placing a free security freeze on your credit report. Doing so prevents lenders and others from accessing your credit report entirely, which will prevent them from extending credit:
- Equifax
- Experian
- TransUnion
Check Your Computer
If your computer was accessed or otherwise affected by a scam, check to make sure that your anti-virus is up-to-date and running and that your system is free of malware and keylogging software. You may also need to seek the help of a computer repair company. Consider utilizing the Better Business Bureau’s website to find a reputable company.
Change Your Account Passwords
Update your bank, credit card, social media, and email account passwords to try to limit further unauthorized access. Make sure to choose strong passwords when changing account passwords.
Report The Scam
Reporting helps protect others. While agencies can’t always track down perpetrators of crimes against scammers, they can utilize the information gathered to record patterns of abuse which may lead to action being taken against a company or industry.
Report your issue to the following agencies based on the nature of the scam:
- Local Law Enforcement: Consumers are encouraged to report scams to their local police department or sheriff’s office, especially if you lost money or property or had your identity compromised.
- Federal Trade Commission: Contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357) or use the Online Complaint Assistant to report various types of fraud, including counterfeit checks, lottery or sweepstakes scams, and more.
- Identitytheft.gov: If someone is using your personal information, like your Social Security, credit card, or bank account number, to open new accounts, make purchases, or get a tax refund, report it at www.identitytheft.gov. This federal government site will also help you create your Identity Theft Report and a personal recovery plan based on your situation. Questions can be directed to 877-ID THEFT.
How To Recognize a Phishing Scam
Scammers use email or text messages to try to steal your passwords, account numbers, or Social Security numbers. If they get that information, they could get access to your email, bank, or other accounts. Or they could sell your information to other scammers. Scammers launch thousands of phishing attacks like these every day — and they’re often successful.
Scammers often update their tactics to keep up with the latest news or trends, but here are some common tactics used in phishing emails or text messages:
Phishing emails and text messages often tell a story to trick you into clicking on a link or opening an attachment. You might get an unexpected email or text message that looks like it’s from a company you know or trust, like a bank or a credit card or utility company. Or maybe it’s from an online payment website or app. The message could be from a scammer, who might
- say they’ve noticed some suspicious activity or log-in attempts — they haven’t
- claim there’s a problem with your account or your payment information — there isn’t
- say you need to confirm some personal or financial information — you don’t
- include an invoice you don’t recognize — it’s fake
- want you to click on a link to make a payment — but the link has malware
- say you’re eligible to register for a government refund — it’s a scam
- offer a coupon for free stuff — it’s not real
About Online Threat Alerts (OTA)
Online Threat Alerts or OTA is an anti-cybercrime community that started in 2012. OTA alerts the public to cyber crimes and other web threats.
By alerting the public, we have prevented a lot of online users from getting scammed or becoming victims of cybercrimes.
With the ever-increasing number of people going online, it important to have a community like OTA that continuously alerts or protects those same people from cyber-criminals, scammers and hackers, who are every day finding new ways of carrying out their malicious activities.
Online users can help by reporting suspicious or malicious messages or websites to OTA. And, if they want to determine if a message or website is a threat or scam, they can use OTA's search engine to search for the website or parts of the message for information.
Help maintain Online Threat Alerts (OTA).