Online protection is increasingly a popular news topic. We all hear of the security breaches, but many do not know where to start to protect their security. There are many aspects to computer security. Too much discussion can easily make the average person’s eyes glaze over. I want to quickly discuss two topics that are easy to implement and can simplify your online activities. They are a small start but can keep you protected in the long term.
Password Management
Using strong passwords and storing them correctly are paramount to keeping your information and accounts secure. The best way to create, store and use strong passwords is to use password management software.
There are numerous password management products on the market, but I have personally had good experiences with KeePass Password Safe and LastPass, which work on all of your mobile devices and computers and have free versions with basic functionality. There are a few differences between the two. KeePass stores your passwords encrypted on your computer while LastPass stores your passwords encrypted online. LastPass will sync with all of your computers and devices. Both can be configured to automatically log you into your websites once you open and unlock the password database. LastPass will prompt you to save sites as you log into them. LastPass will also remind you of password ages and will ask to do a security test on your saved sites. Both can save notes and credit card information. This can come in handy if you lose your wallet or purse. For overall ease of use, LastPass is the way to go. KeePass may be preferred when you want to remain in total control of your information. Both are secure and well recommended in reviews.
If you are on the fence about using a password manager keep a few of these ideas in mind. They make storing your passwords easy and logging into websites even easier. If you plan to just keep remembering your passwords you actually put yourself at risk. The plan of remembering passwords easily degrades into using the same simple password on multiple sites. A password manager will help you create the strong passwords that are hard to crack and make sure they are unique to each website. Plus a password manager can audit your saved sites and recommend password changes or duplicate password usage.
Phishing Emails
Phishing is an attempt to acquire sensitive information such as usernames, passwords and credit card details (and sometimes, indirectly, money) by masquerading as a trustworthy entity in an electronic communication. This often works the best by playing on your emotions and catching you off guard, so that you will click on a link, reply or fill out a form without doing proper due diligence.
The best forms of defense to phishing are to stay calm and take a deep breath. Nothing that comes in email communication is so urgent that you can’t take a few minutes to think it through. Ask yourself if you really know the sender or if the information is true or reasonable.
If the email does appear to be coming from someone you know or a company you do business with, then evaluate if the content presented is consistent with how they communicate. Many times phishing emails will not use the same style of writing or will ask for information that wouldn’t typically be asked in that manner. Also phishing emails may include links and file attachments that are out of character for the sender.
If the email is alerting you about an account or security risk, you can investigate the concern on your own. Don’t follow any links. Log on to the website claiming to be at risk and verify the account status from there. If there is a real concern there will be messages waiting for you in your account on the website.
The main thing to remember is to slow down and think before you click. Not taking time to think things through or verify information puts more users at risk each day. Just wait a few minutes to react to the email. It will still be there in a few minutes and you just might save yourself an expensive headache. QCBN
By Shane Lofgren
Country Bank is a full service community bank serving Yavapai County with offices in Prescott, Prescott Valley and Cottonwood. Shane Lofgren is an assistant vice president, network engineer for the bank. Please visit www.countrybankaz.com or call 928-443-9595 for more information. Member FDIC.
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