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October is Cyber Security Awareness Month

en.wikipedia.org

There has been much news recently of identity thefts and other forms of cyber security breaches in the U.S.     October is Cyber Security Awareness Month.

Tod Pritchard from Wisconsin Emergency Management says the scope of the online breaches in alarming. He says simple things like not opening up unfamilar emails, or being wary even if it has a name of someone you know....

"......first of all, people hijack other people's emails so it's not Uncle Bill's email, it's a scammer. Then when you click on that link sends you to a location that cyber criminals can tap into your computer and start messing around with your life...."

 He says the best thing to do is like food you're not sure of: when in doubt, throw it out.

Pritchard says if your in a public place  sampling a free wi-fi connection, be prepared...

"....yes, it is free, but if it is not secured, not only can you tap into it, but literally anyone else can tap into it and potentially be able to find out what your password is, watch what you are looking at on your computer, what your bank account is, that kind of thing...."

 In 2013,  Wisconsin residents lost $6.4 million through cyber crimes. The average loss was more than $1900 per victim. Nationwide, more than 260,000 consumer complaints added up to almost $782 million in losses, a 48% increase over 2012.

More information on cyber security is on the state website readywisconsin. wi. dot gov

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