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October is Cybersecurity Awareness month. And with the evolution of people working or attending school from home, online streaming, shopping, and more, as your financial partner, we also need to talk about the evolution of online safety.

Some important things to consider as you “boot up” …

• Do I have a modern, secure internet connection? If possible, avoid joining a public network.
• Are my hardware and software up to date? Older devices and software are at higher risk of a cyber-attack.
• Am I (and my loved ones) up to speed on the latest Phishing (fraudulent emails), Smishing (fraudulent texts), and Vishing (fraudulent phone calls) scams?
• Do I have the best anti-malware software?
• Use multifactor authentication whenever possible to confirm your identity.
• If you’re working from home, be sure to utilize a secure VPN with multifactor authentication.
• If you’re on video often, consider a webcam cover – hackers can access your camera without your permission.
• Keep family members away from work devices. An accidental move can cause irreparable damage.
• Password protect your virtual meetings to keep unwanted attendees from joining your private virtual conversations.

Additionally, and as always, change your passwords regularly on all your devices and apps, use multifactor authentication whenever possible, and use a secure password vault to store your credentials.

But most important, trust your gut! Be vigilant, and if something seems off, it probably is.

Your safety is our TOP priority. For more information about staying safe online, visit www.staysafeonline.org.