In honor of National Cybersecurity Awareness Month in October, Google released some of their top cybersecurity tips for individuals.
- Always have up-to-date software. One of the most important security precautions you can take is to make sure the software on your desktop, mobile device, operating system, and web browser are up to date. Many times, software updates include critical security patches to protect your device.
- Use a password manager. A password manager stores your login information for all the websites you frequent and automatically logs you in. They are encrypted and allow you to have multiple passphrases for websites, yet you will only need to keep track of the master password.
- Avoid phishing attempts. There has been a dramatic rise in phishing attempts in recent years, so it is vital to understand some of the common ways to spot a potential threat and always be wary of clicking suspicious links and downloading items from an unknown source.
- Enable multifactor authentication. It’s been proven that enabling multifactor authentication stops 99% of account hacks. Enable two-factor authentication on your accounts to add a significant additional layer of protection.
- Set up a security key. A security key is a small physical device that looks like a USB drive that works in addition to your password to add an extra layer of security to your accounts.
- Enable “find a lost device.” By enabling “find a lost device” on your Google account, you can remotely locate and lock your account in case your device is lost or stolen.
- Enroll in Google’s Advanced Protection Program. Google’s Advanced Protection Program safeguards users with high visibility and sensitive information who are most at risk for a targeted online attack. The advanced protection program prevents unauthorized access to your accounts.
- Check the source of app downloads. More than 75% of mobile apps fail the most basic security tests. Always check the source before downloading any apps to your devices.
- Browse on secure networks. Check for the “https” in a website’s domain while browsing. Ensure it is a secure site. Also, be careful when using a public or free wi-fi because any information you share on these unsecure networks can be easily accessed by hackers.
- Use Google’s Security Checkup. It analyzes your security status and provides tips to strengthen your online security.
