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Cybersecurity Awareness Month

Posted by On 27-09-2024
Cybersecurity Awareness Month

Celebrating Cybersecurity Awareness Month – Stay Safe Online and in Your Inbox 

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, an essential time to highlight the importance of staying vigilant in an increasingly digital world. At Wills Transfer, while we are working, most of us spend a lot of time online and exchanging emails, making cybersecurity not just an IT issue, but a responsibility for everyone. Whether we are in our WMS, browsing the web or working on a Health and Wellness project, cyber threats are always lurking. Here’s how you can stay ahead of these threats and protect both your personal and company data. 

Why Cybersecurity Awareness Matters 

Cyberattacks have become more sophisticated and frequent. From phishing emails to ransomware attacks, the risks are real. A single click on a malicious link can lead to data breaches, financial losses, or compromised information. Awareness and proactive habits can significantly reduce these risks. 

This October let’s focus on reinforcing safe digital practices to ensure that our virtual workspace remains secure. Most people do an excellent job at reporting unsafe emails or reaching out to IT if they are unsure. With that being said, if you have even the slightest doubt don’t click. Reach out for support instead!  It can make a huge difference to your day and the security of your business! 

Here are key tips to help you stay aware and protect your online activities, particularly within your emails. 

Top Cybersecurity Tips for Staying Safe Online

 

Watch Out for Phishing Scams 

Phishing emails are one of the most common ways hackers attempt to steal sensitive information. They often mimic legitimate companies or colleagues, trying to trick you into clicking a malicious link or downloading harmful attachments. 

How to spot phishing emails: 

  • Look for suspicious email addresses or domains that don’t match the official website. 
  • Watch for poor grammar, spelling mistakes, or overly urgent language. 
  • Avoid clicking on unexpected links or downloading attachments from unknown sources. 
  • Verify any unusual requests directly with the sender through a known contact method, like a phone call.

Strengthen Your Passwords (Wills Transfer forces password changes every 6 months)

Weak passwords are a goldmine for cybercriminals. Using the same password across multiple platforms only increases vulnerability. 

Tips for creating strong passwords: 

  • Use a combination of letters, numbers, and special characters. 
  • Avoid using easily guessed information like birthdays or names. 
  • Consider using a password manager to keep track of strong, unique passwords for every account. 
  • Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) wherever possible for an extra layer of security.

Be Cautious with Public Wi-Fi

When you’re working remotely or on the go, public Wi-Fi can be convenient—but it’s also a prime target for cybercriminals. 

What you can do: 

  • Avoid accessing sensitive information over public networks, such as banking or company data. 
  • Use a VPN (Virtual Private Network) to encrypt your connection when using public Wi-Fi. 
  • Always verify the authenticity of the network you’re connecting to—cybercriminals often set up fake hotspots.

Update Software Regularly

Outdated software can contain vulnerabilities that hackers exploit. Ensuring your systems, software, and browsers are up to date is a crucial step in cybersecurity. 

Cybersecurity Awareness Month, Best practices: 

  • Enable automatic updates for your devices and applications. 
  • Regularly check for updates to ensure you’re protected against the latest threats. 
  • Don’t ignore software patches, especially for critical applications such as your operating system, antivirus, or email software.

Protect Your Devices

Keeping your devices secure is as important as securing your online accounts. 

How to protect your devices and celebrate Cybersecurity Awareness Month: 

  • Lock your computer or phone when stepping away, especially in public spaces. 
  • Use encryption for sensitive data stored on your devices. 
  • Backup important data regularly, so it’s recoverable in case of a cyber incident. 

Final Thoughts on Celebrating Cybersecurity Awareness Month

So, you can see Cybersecurity doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, just by reading this post and following these simple tips you can stay safe Online and in your Inbox. Safe from those nasty cybercriminals. 

https://www.getcybersafe.gc.ca/en/cyber-security-awareness-month