Minimize Cyber Exposure
December 29, 2014
Minimize Cyber Exposure
Cyber Monday, holiday shopping, cyber exposure in general for individuals and businesses alike is becoming more of a constant thought in accessing our risk management. During this holiday season, and as a rule of thumb all year long, it is a good idea to adopt these tips from the experts at CNA’s Cyber Preparedness Center.
General Security
- Make sure passwords are at least eight characters long and contain both uppercase and lowercase letters, as well as special characters.
- Consider using a phrase to help create your password. For example, “Jack and Jill went up the hill,” becomes “J_Jwuth.”
- Never use the “Remember Password” software feature offered by various applications
- Never use personal information when creating passwords
- Remember, the longer and more complicated the password, the less likely it is to be broken.
Mobile Security
- Turn on screen locking (e.g., password, PIN, swipe pattern) on your mobile device.
- Perform a factory reset to wipe all data when disposing an old mobile device.
- Avoid storing confidential or otherwise sensitive information on a mobile device, including passwords, bank account or credit card numbers.
- Turn off Wi-Fi and Bluetooth when they’re not needed.
- Delete text messages that contain sensitive information.
Home network security
- Make sure wireless networks are password protected.
- Consider changing default passwords for your network devices (e.g. modem or wireless access point) often.
- Never use personal information that can identify you or your location when creating wireless network names or passwords.
- Remember, protect yourself from malicious software by staying up to date on virus protection software.
- Consider visiting StaySafeOnline.org to learn how to keep kids safe on the web.
The Armstrong Company Insurance Consultants (License #0440075)