© 2024 WXPR
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

October Is Cybersecurity Awareness Month

nasga-stopguardianabuse.blogspot.com

The increasing number of identity thefts and scams prompts the Wisconsin Homeland Security Council to provide all computer users with a series of tips to lower the risk of cyber crime.

Tod Pritchard from the state Department of Military Affairs says one common way crooks get to your digital info is through an innocent looking link...

"....they're trying to get you to click on that link, and unfortunately, sometimes that link is basically an entre to get into your computer to send you malware and start doing nasty things...."

He says keep your security software current and set software to automatically update itself. He says protect all devices connected to the Internet and scan external devices for viruses.

He says after two decades of Internet use, many people still use weak passwords, including 1-2-3-4-5. He says use a password at least 12 characters long...

"...somebody might use, 'I like country music 17', it's easy to remember, but it's difficult for a cyber criminal to hack into...."

Pritchard says a common rule used in food safety also works for cybersecurity..."when in doubt, throw it out".

Up North Updates
* indicates required
Related Content