Get the latest tech news How to check Is Temu legit? How to delete trackers
SALTZMAN
Equifax

Do a 15 minute cybersecurity makeover to start the year

Marc Saltzman
USA TODAY
No. 1 cyberattack method: phishing

You had plenty of reminders last year that hackers are out in force, making your data vulnerable. What will be the equivalent of the Equifax breach this year? 

Before we find out, there's are shortcuts to locking down your private data. Consider it a 15 minute cybersecurity tune-up for the new year. 

Step 1: Strong and unique passwords

Never use the same password for all your online activity. Why? Because if a service is hacked and your password is exposed, cybercriminals may try it on another account.

After the last Yahoo breach, for example, stolen email passwords may have been cross-referenced with users’ bank accounts, say cybersecurity experts.

Out of laziness, many people use the same password for everything.

Not only should you use different passwords for all accounts – and password manager apps are a handy way to remember them all – try to use a passphrase instead of a password, therefore a sequence of words and other characters including numbers, and symbols.

More:How to remember all the passwords you need in your life

More:Password expert says he was wrong: Numbers, capital letters and symbols are useless

More:Weekend project: Update your passwords

Step 2: Enable two-factor authentication

Make it harder for the bad guys to access your data by adding a second layer of defense.

Two-factor authentication is highly recommended for all your online activity, such as your web mail, online banking, cloud accounts, and so on.

Sometimes referred to as two-step verification, two-factor authentication means you not only need a password or passcode (or biometrics log-on, like a fingerprint of facial scan) to confirm only you can access your accounts, but you also receive a one-time code to your mobile phone to type in.

On the Equifax hack, everyone should set up a “credit freeze” for credit reporting agencies, which is a personal identification number (PIN) required for anyone to access your credit report. Also, check your credit history for anything suspicious, along with bank statements, notices from insurance companies after medical procedures, and so on.

More:Equifax data breach: How to freeze your credit

More:Equifax data breach: I tried to freeze my credit. There were problems.

Step 3: Have good antimalware

Just as you wouldn't leave the front door to your home unlocked, you shouldn't let your tech be vulnerable to attacks, whether it’s a virus (or other malware) that sneaks onto your device or caused by “social engineering” (including ransomware and phishing scams) because you were deceived into divulging confidential information.

Reputable antimalware on all your devices – laptops, desktops, tablets, and smartphones -- can identify, quarantine, delete, and report any suspicious activity. The most robust software offers a suite of services, including a firewall and encryption options.

From Reviewed.com::The best antivirus software of 2017

Step 4: Update your software

If we’ve learned anything from this past spring’s WannaCry ransomware – a global attack that infected some 230,000 Windows machines running an out-of-date operating system – it’s to set your software to automatically update so you don’t have to remember to do so.

Set up automatic updates wherever you can, including your operating system, browser, plug-ins, and other software. You only need to do this once. For software that doesn’t allow for automatic updates, check them regularly.

On a related note, take a moment to secure your wireless router, too, by ensuring you have a password on it – both to gain access to the Internet (so your neighbors don’t steal Wi-Fi), and for entering the settings of the router (by changing the default password, such as “admin”).  

More:Virgin Media hack risk is a wake-up call to check your router

More:How to keep hackers out of your router

Step 5: Back-up your info

It doesn’t really matter how you want to do it – a free cloud service, external hard drive, USB thumbdrive, or what have you – so long as you’re proactive about backing up your important files regularly you’ll minimize the damage if hit with a direct or indirect attack.

Other assorted cybersecurity tips: set up biometrics security on your smartphone and a “find my phone” app to locate it if lost or stolen; be cautious when using your laptop in free public Wi-Fi hotspots (use your smartphone as a personal hotspot instead); and be sure to exercise common sense when reading emails and text messages (no respectful company, like your bank, will ever ask you to urgently confirm your identity by filling out forms), and never click on suspicious attachments or links.

These abovementioned steps take mere minutes, and don’t require any major technical know-how. If it still seems daunting, bribe a tech-savvy relative or friend with a good meal in exchange for setting up this 15-minute makeover.

More:Your social security number is precious — and not everyone who asks needs it

More:One mistake people make using public Wi-Fi

Follow Marc on Twitter: @marc_saltzman. Or visit www.marcsaltzman.com.

 

 

Featured Weekly Ad