ABC-7 at 4: Cyber ​​Security Awareness Month

El Paso, Texas (KVIA-TV) — As we wrap up Cyber ​​Security Awareness Month, the El Paso FBI wants to offer more tips on how to stay safe online, especially as the holiday shopping season approaches. Even in the midst of large-scale data breaches and cyber attacks, Cyber ​​Security Awareness Month reminds everyone that there are simple and effective ways to stay safe online and protect personal data. The El Paso FBI discusses four ways to stay safe online: Using strong PASSWORDS, not just passwords, and using a password manager.

They stress that you should use more than one password for different accounts because if it’s stolen, it’s the cyber key to all your accounts. Use a passphrase that’s not a pet name, school name etc….eg HalloW33nIsS0MuchFun$24.
Since we can’t keep track of all these passwords, a password manager is useful. They can store your passwords and generate strong and complex passwords. Take your time to find a password manager that fits your needs. Enable multi-factor authentication, also known as two-step verification.
This is a measure for an account that requires the user to prove their identity in multiple ways, such as a fingerprint or a text code.
MFA makes it extremely difficult for hackers to access your online accounts, even if they know your password. We suggest setting up multifactor authentication for any account that allows it, significantly if it’s associated with work, school, email, banking, online stores, and social networks.
Recognize Phishing Attempts Phishing is when scammers use fake emails, social media posts or direct messages to trick you into clicking on a bad link or downloading a malicious attachment.
Before you click on any links or download attachments, take a few seconds to make sure the emails look legitimate.
How to spot a phishing email:
Does it contain an offer that is too good to be true?
Does it include language that is urgent, alarming, or threatening?
Badly worded with spelling mistakes and bad grammar?
Is the greeting too generic?
Does it include requests to submit personal information?
Does the sender’s email address match the company it came from? Look for misspellings like pavpal.com or anazon.com. Finally, make sure your software operating systems and applications are updated regularly.
Make sure you know where updates come from and only use verified sources to download app updates from your device’s official app stores. These updates should be applied to your streaming apps, gaming devices, and connected devices like Alexa, Ring bells and Fitbits.