MADISON, Wis. (WSAU) — October is Cyber Security Awareness Month and the Department of Agriculture Trade and Consumer Protection is offering some tips on keeping yourself secure online.
DATCP Spokesperson Jerad Albrecht says safety takes practice and good precautions. “It’s just up to people to protect themselves by using staying away from questionable sites, using secure sites when they make purchases online, and using long, complex passwords.” Remember to think twice before you click a link in your email on on a text message, and don’t share information on your social media that could be used to access your accounts.
Albrecht says one of your strongest defenses is a sturdy password on your email, which could be linked to any number of other accounts like your social networks or banking information. “Making them long, making them complex, makes it that much more difficult for a bot of some sort to decipher the password.” Those passwords don’t need to be a short mixture of letters and symbols. Consider using a long passphrase with multiple words and numbers that have meaning to you.
Another good way to keep your accounts safe is to use two-factor authentication. Albrecht says the programs require a person to not only have your password but your cellphone to get access to your accounts. “You get sent a text message, or in some cases you can ask them to give you a phone call right away. You’ll get a passcode you’ll have to add in addition to your email password.” Facebook, Twitter, Yahoo and Google all offer those systems to help make your account secure.
You can find more safety tips online and take a readiness quiz online at http://www.readywisconsin.wi.gov/cyber/default.asp
