Don’t Fall for Cyber Scams

On an annual basis, one out of every three Americans will suffer the repercussions of a cyberattack. One University of Maryland study  found that a cyberattack occurs every 39 seconds! Don’t panic yet — there are several simple ways you can protect yourself against cyber criminals. First, make sure your accounts have strong passwords (12 characters or more, something not easy to guess) and that you aren’t using the same password for multiple accounts. Doing so makes it easier for cyber criminals to attack you across multiple platforms. After utilizing strong passwords, activate multi-factor authentication (MFA) on your accounts, if it’s available. This process serves as a near failsafe to protect your account on the chance your credentials are compromised. Upon an initial login attempt, MFA will prompt you to enter a special code or continue signing in through another app. This requires something only you would have access to. Finally, trust your instincts. If you receive an unusual email or text, do not open any links or attachments or respond. This could be an attempt to lure you into a scam. Don’t be fooled by a scammer’s tricks. Be aware and be prepared.