Cybersecurity Awareness
Security Center
With so many different types of fraud, it can seem overwhelming and almost impossible to protect yourself and your business in the online world. It is important to remember that there are small and simple steps that can make a huge difference in protecting your data. While schemes may target different audiences, from charity fraud to elder fraud, the basic principles of cybersecurity remain the same.
Most, if not all of us, use a personal computer or mobile phone. With these devices playing an increasingly important role in our daily lives, it is critical to safeguard the information stored on them.
Most, if not all of us, use a personal computer or mobile phone. With these devices playing an increasingly important role in our daily lives, it is critical to safeguard the information stored on them.
There are some basic precautions you can take to protect your device and information:
- A huge part of having a safe online experience is protecting your identity. Do not give out your personal information via text, phone, or email. Use strong and different passwords for your various online accounts, including your login for online or mobile banking.
- Just as children learn to not talk to strangers, the same applies online. Do not open emails or attachments or click on links from senders you don’t recognize.
- Anti-virus, anti-spyware, and firewall software can do a great deal to protect your online presence. It is important to regularly update this software, as well as your operating system and other programs. Tip: set-up an auto-update feature on your device so you never miss an update.
- Never leave your laptop or phone unattended and turn your computer off when you are not using it. Similarly, dispose of your computer properly. It is important to erase the hard drive, not just delete the files, to ensure that information cannot be recovered.
Fraud is also a major concern for any business, no matter the size. Fraud committed against company bank accounts usually occurs through unauthorized checks, wire fraud, or ACH fraud. Positive Pay allows users to review and approve payments before they are finalized, minimizing the opportunity for fraudulent activity. With Positive Pay, you can also assign various user permissions levels for staff.
Ultimately, cybersecurity is a shared responsibility that affects all of us. By implementing the tips above and remaining educated on evolving threats, you can make significant strides toward protecting your online presence.
FAQs
-
Cybersecurity refers to the technologies and/or processes used to protect the confidentiality, integrity, and functionality of digital infrastructure and data from cyber attacks and/or unauthorized access.
-
- Awareness is the top method to stay protected and ahead of cyber attacks. Be sure to keep up-to-date with the latest digital security threats from sources like the SANS Insititute > https://www.sans.org/
- Install anti-virus, anti-spyware, and firewall software to do the heavy lifting for you. Automatic updates will protect from lapse in coverage.
- Practice safe digital hygiene by using strong, unique passwords and update them regularly.
- Do not give out your personal information via text, phone, or email.
- Do not open emails or attachments or click on links from senders you don't recognize.
- Never leave your devices unattended and make sure you lock your computer when you leave your workspace.
-
- You may receive bills for products or services you did not purchase. Your bank account statements may show unauthorized withdrawals or unrecognized charges.
- Cybercriminals imposter legitimate organizations or employees to send emails (AKA phishing) that trick people into opening attachments or to click on links that can compromise the user's devices and credentials. Often times, at closer inspection, you will notice that there are misspellings or strange domains used in the emails or the links.
- You may receive an email or call seemingly from a trusted source requesting that you wire them money or to help someone you care about. These requests are often times posed as urgent, dire needs that need immediate attention.
-
Use Positive Pay to allow authroized users to review and approve payments before they are finalized, minimizing the opportunity for fraudulent activity. With Positive Pay, you can also assign various user permissions levels for staff.