SANS Security Awareness Tip of the Day
Attending a Video Conference
Oct 15, 2020
When attending a video conference, make sure you are using the latest version of the conferencing software. In addition, if you are using the video option make sure there is nothing sensitive behind you that others would see.
Clues You Have Been Hacked
Oct 13, 2020
Some of the most common indicators that you may have been include the following. Your friends tell you that they have received odd emails or messages from you, messages you know you did not send. Your password no longer works for one of your accounts, even though you know you never changed the password. Your anti-virus informs you that one of your files or computer is infected. You receive a pop-up message informing you that the files on your computer have been encrypted and you must pay a ransom to recover them.
Never Give Your Password Over the Phone
Oct 12, 2020
Never give your password to someone over the phone. If someone calls you and asks for your password while saying they are from the Help Desk or Tech Support team, it is an attacker attempting to gain access to your account.
Got Backups?
Oct 11, 2020
Eventually, we all have an accident or get hacked. And when we do, backups are often the only way to recover. Backups are cheap and easy; make sure you are backing up all of your personal information at home (such as family photos) on a regular basis.
Kids and Family Members
Oct 1, 2020
If you have children visiting or staying with family members (such as grandparents), make sure the family members know your rules concerning technology that your kids must follow. Just because your kids leave the house does not mean the rules about what they can do online change.
Scamming Your Through Social Media
Sep 30, 2020
You may be aware that cyber attacks will try to trick you over the phone or through email using phishing attacks, but do you realize they may try to attack you also over Social Media, such as through Snapchat, Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn? Just like in email, if you get any Social Media messages that are highly urgent or too good to be true, it may be an attack.
Lock Your Mobile Devices
Sep 28, 2020
The number one step for protecting your mobile device is making sure it has a strong screenlock on it so only you can access it.
Dark Web
Sep 15, 2020
The Dark Web is a network of systems connected to the Internet designed to share information securely and anonymously. These capabilities are abused by cyber criminals to enable their activities, for example selling hacking tools or purchasing stolen information such as credit card data. Be aware that your information could be floating around the Dark Web, making it easier for cyber criminals to create custom attacks targeting you..
Protecting Your Social Media Account
Sep 13, 2020
Bad guys are targeting your social media accounts. One of the most effective ways you can protect them is with a unique, strong password called a passphrase. Enabling two-step verification (if your social media site offers it) is even better.
Shopping Online
Sep 10, 2020
When shopping online, always use your credit cards instead of a debit card. If any fraud happens, it is far easier to recover your money from a credit card transaction. Gift cards and one-time-use credit card numbers are even more secure.
Securely Disposing Mobile Devices
Sep 3, 2020
Do you plan on giving away or selling one of your older mobile devices? Make sure you wipe or reset your device before disposing of it. If you don't, the next person who owns it will have access to all of your accounts and personal information.
Kids and Education
Aug 24, 2020
One of the most effective methods you can use to protect kids online is to talk to them. The younger you start talking to them, and they to you, the better. Hold regular conversations about online safety issues. If you don't know what your kids are doing or where to start, simply ask. Play the clueless parent and ask them to show you what the latest technologies are and how they use them. Quite often, kids love the idea of being the teacher and will open up.
Finding a USB Drive
Aug 20, 2020
Be very careful of any lost USB drives you may find (such as in the parking lot or local coffee shop) or USB drives you are given at public events, like conferences. It is very easy for these devices to be infected with malware. Never use such devices for work, use only authorized devices issued to you by work.
Ransomware
Aug 13, 2020
Ransomware is a special type of malware. Once it infected your computer, it encrypts all of your files and demands you pay a ransome if you want your files back. Be suspicious of any emails trying to trick you into opening infected attachments or click on malicious links, common sense is your best defense. In addition. backups are often the only way you can recover from ransomware.
Unique Passwords
Aug 12, 2020
Make sure each of your accounts has a separate, unique password. Can't remember all of your passwords/passphrases? Consider using a password manager to securely store all of them for you.
Digital Inheritance
Aug 6, 2020
What happens to our digital presence when we die or become incapacitated? Many of us have or know we should have a will and checklists of what loved ones need to know in the event of our passing. But what about all of our digital data and online accounts? Consider creating some type of digital will, often called a "Digital Inheritance" plan.
Social Media Privacy Settings
Jul 29, 2020
Privacy settings on social networks can be confusing to configure and change often. Ultimately, if you do not want your parents or boss reading one of your posts, do not post the message or photo.
Never Share Your Passwords
Jul 28, 2020
Never share your passwords with others, including your supervisor or coworkers. Your password is a secret; it only works if only you know it. If anyone else knows your password, you may be responsible for their actions.
Messaging / Smishing Attacks
Jul 26, 2020
Cyber attackers can just as easily trick or fool you in messaging apps as they can in email. Be on the look-out for scams or attacks via apps such as Slack, Skype, WhatsApp or event simple text messaging. The most common clues are tremendous sense of urgency or curioustiy.
Personalized Scams
Jul 20, 2020
Cyber criminals now have a wealth of information on almost all of us. With so many hacked organizations now a days, cyber criminals simply purchase databases with personal information on millions of people, then use that information to customize their attacks, making them far more realistic. Just because an urgent email has your home address, phone number or birth date in it does not mean it is legitimate.
