10/1/24

October is a month of fun frights, but it’s important to also use this time to address a topic that’s scary all year round – cybersecurity. After all, these wire fraudsters offer our customers and partners only tricks – no treats.

That’s why we’re here with another anti-phishing message at the start of National Cybersecurity Awareness Month. Unfortunately, this tried-and-true method of email hacking is still very successful. We’ve previously talked about strong passwords, keeping your software up-to-date and the importance of two-factor authentication, but this topic deserves another cornucopia of advice so we can all stay safe. Here are four more tips to keep your email more secure:        

• Read over the message again before responding or clicking any links. This is especially important if the message demands personal information or money. Look for any discrepancies in the domain name or unusual variations in the address that may indicate it’s not from a trusted source. These scammers are getting smarter in their tactics, so be extra careful.
• Never click on unsolicited links or attachments. Before clicking on any links, hover over them with your cursor. This simple action lets you preview the destination URL, helping ensure it’s a safe and relevant site.
• Report spam messages to your IT and email providers. If you receive suspicious emails that seem unusual or ask for sensitive information, immediately report them to your IT department or service provider. Almost all accounts these days have a strong spam filter, but if this message gets through, similar ones could target you or your colleagues in the future. This action helps protect not only your personal data, but the security of the entire organization.
• Change your passwords regularly. We know. It can be annoying to have to switch up your passwords every few months, but it’s one of the best ways to protect yourself these days. Doing this simple task reduces the risk of unauthorized access to your accounts and protects your personal information from potential breaches.

As we should all know by now, the battle against cybercriminals is a team effort. Thank you for all you do to try to stay safe and secure. Remember, if something seems off, it probably is! Contact us anytime for verification or simply to talk more about this important issue.