4 Ways to Practice Good Cyber Hygiene

Cybersecurity is not only a technical issue, but also a human one. It affects all of us, whether we are at home, work, or school. It is our shared responsibility to practice good cyber hygiene and reduce our online risks. By doing so, you can help protect yourself from potential cyberattacks that could compromise your assets.

To help you stay safe online, here are four easy and effective tips that you can follow.

• Use strong passwords and a password manager. Strong passwords are long, random, unique, and include all four-character types (uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols). Password managers are a powerful tool to help you create and store strong passwords for each of your accounts. Avoid reusing passwords or using common or easy-to-guess ones.
• Turn on multifactor authentication (MFA). MFA is an extra layer of security that requires something you know (such as a password) and something you have (such as a code sent to your phone) to access your online accounts. MFA makes it significantly harder for hackers to break into your accounts, even if they have your password. Enable MFA on all your online accounts that offer it, especially email, social media, and financial accounts.
• Recognize and report phishing. Phishing is a common technique that cybercriminals use to trick you into clicking on malicious links or attachments or providing sensitive information or credentials. Phishing emails often look like they come from legitimate sources, such as your bank, your boss, or a trusted company. Be cautious of unsolicited messages that ask for personal information, create a sense of urgency, or contain spelling or grammatical errors. Avoid clicking on links or opening attachments from unknown sources. If you receive a call, text, or email asking you for personal information, visit wescom.org/Security-Center to report the fraudulent message or call us at 1-888-4WESCOM (1-888-493-7266) to let us know.
• Update your software. Software updates are not only for improving performance or adding features, but also for fixing security vulnerabilities that hackers can exploit. Ensuring your software is up to date is the best way to make sure you have the latest security patches and updates on your devices. Regularly check for updates if automatic updates are not available.