During week one of October’s National Cybersecurity Awareness Month
(NCSAM), consumers and businesses are encouraged to review the security of their connected devices.
If you connect it, protect it. That’s the message from DATCAP. Evaluating and updating the security on electronic devices is a great first step to cybersecurity. Below are some easy ideas to help you remain secure.
- Take an inventory of web-connected devices in your home such as gaming devices, smartwatches, thermostats, smart TVs, routers, and voice assistants (Google Home, Amazon Alexa, etc.) and of course computers and phones.
- Once you have accounted for all of the family’s devices update the operating systems and antivirus software on the devices in order to protect against recent viruses and to patch any holes that hackers can use to access your systems.
- Check any accounts associated with these devices and verify that the information is up to date, and passwords and username are strong and secure. Additionally consider:
a. Use two-factor authentication when available.
b. Make your password long, strong and complex.
c. Select security questions where only you know the answer.
