Archive for category: Apartments

It isn’t always obvious when someone is trying to trick you online. From text messages that look like they’re from your bank to phone calls that sound like they might be from your boss, staying ahead of phishing  is all about being vigilant.

Week 3 of Cyber Month is all about helping you recognize evolving cyber threats and how to stay ahead of them. We’ll discuss how taking a few simple steps today helps protect your identity and finances now and down the road.

Phishing, smishing, and vishing

Phishing messages are designed to make you react quickly – either negatively or positively – so cyber criminals can attempt to steal your money or information. They are often disguised as emails, text messages (smishing), phone calls (vishing) and even direct messages (DMs) on social media from places or people you trust – like a delivery company, your bank, a friend, and even your job. They may threaten you by insisting that you need to click a link  to get out trouble or offer you a deal that’s too good to be true if you give up sensitive information. But acting on suspicious messages can cause you to lose your finance or even your identity.

This week, we’ll discuss how to identify suspicious messages and delete them, how to report texts by forwarding them to 7726 (SPAM), and when to be cautious and hang up on suspicious calls so future you will thank you.

AI and sophisticated threats

Artificial intelligence can help us achieve things faster than ever before, like summarizing research, detailing important meetings, and even writing funny song lyrics for friends. Unfortunately, cyber criminals are using it too. AI generated phishing messages, deepfake voice calls, and even realistic fake videos are making it harder than ever to tell what’s real and what isn’t.

The good news is that you don’t need to outsmart robots (yet) – you just need to be a little more skeptical online. This week, we’ll discuss how to spot the signs of AI generated text, images, and videos and how cyber criminals are using new technology to make their scams more believable. We’ll explore how staying cautious today can even help you outsmart tomorrow’s most complicated scams.

Looking ahead

Cyber threats are evolving, but so is your knowledge! Take time this week to learn more about spotting suspicious messages, AI generated content, and how to protect your digital identity. With a few simple steps, your future self will thank you for not clicking that phishing message and getting your hopes up for that fake vacation.

Securing your smart devices

Your phone and laptop are important but certainly aren’t the only devices that need to be secured. Smart devices like your speakers, watches, thermostats and other appliances are all connected to the internet – and if they’re not secured, they can be used to snoop, steal data, or even break into your home network.

This week, we’ll discuss small steps you can take to secure your gadgets like changing your default  passwords (yes, even the one on your TV!) and disabling features, like Bluetooth, when you aren’t using them. We’ll also discuss setting up new devices, updating privacy settings, and how a few small steps can make a big difference in your future.

Storage and backups

We all have important files, from photos to personal documents and work projects. But what happens if your device is lost, stolen, or compromised by malware? Backing up your files ensures you won’t lose your documents if something unexpected happens.

There are many backup options available to you that rely on cloud storage  or external hard drives . We recommend using a combination of at least two storage options for your most important data, to be extra safe in case one fails. This week, we’ll discuss how regular backups can protect you in the future, like making sure stressful situations – like your computer crashing before a project deadline – a lot more manageable.

Private and public networks

When you think about protecting your devices, you might not be thinking about those running your home network, such as your router . Since your Wi-Fi network  is a gateway to all your connected devices, it’s extremely important to protect it from potential intruders (and possibly your next door neighbours). One of the easiest ways to stay safe is to change your default network name and password .

If you’re on the go, connecting to public Wi-Fi can be tempting. But public networks aren’t always safe. They can be easy targets for cyber criminals looking to steal your data or information. To protect yourself, avoid accessing sensitive accounts like banking or email on unsecured networks. And if you do need to access those accounts, consider using a virtual private network (VPN) for added privacy and security.

This week, we’ll talk about protecting your networks and your devices with simple steps to reduce disruptions now and later.

Looking ahead

We rely on our devices to stay connected so taking steps to make sure they’re secure can ensure they aren’t putting your data at risk. Take a moment to review your devices and make sure they are backed up, updated, and connected to secure networks.