Cyber Safety

Every time you use the Internet, you are using a cyber infrastructure. By actively educating ourselves and others about cyber safety, we will lower our vulnerabilities to computer failures and potential interruptions to our personal and business infrastructures. By protecting yourself on the Internet, you also protect others.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security indicates there are some basic practices you can follow to protect yourself.

Install anti-virus and anti-spyware programs and keep them up-to-date.
Install a firewall and keep it properly configured.
Regularly install updates and patches for your computer's operating system.

Making cyber safety a habit will help you protect your information and prevent your computer from being used to launch an attack.

Cyber Safety Tips

Select a bluetooth device that requires a password to connect to the device. Most of them have this feature. Some mobile devices are set up to alert the user when a bluetooth device is attempting to connect.
Never send personal credit card information as a result of an email request. Legitimate companies and banks will never ask you to send personal information over the internet.
Be cautious of online auctions that list high dollar items that you cannot inspect before you buy. These items include things such as vehicles and jewelry or expensive handbags and clothing that claim to be "designer."
Internet criminals can make a site look like an official bidding site and even post "guarantees." They can also manipulate their feedback scores to make them appear to be 100 percent positive. Also, avoid "second chance offers."
Be cautious of businesses that operate out of post office boxes or mail drops. In addition, be wary of persons who do not have direct telephone lines or those who are never "in" when you call.
Avoid doing business with sellers and/or buyers from other countries.
Avoid sending money orders and cashier’s checks for payment. Do not wire money overseas or correspond with persons you do not know.
Do not accept checks for substantial amounts of money wherein the buyer asks you to cash the check and, in turn, send money to a "shipper" or a third party. This also applies to "work from home" scams wherein the "employer" will pay you a substantial amount of money and ask you to issue a check from your personal account to a third party.
Do not spend more than you are willing to lose.
Be wary of businesses that use free email accounts such as gmail, hotmail or yahoo.
Be cautious of online businesses that have not been in business for at least one year.
Don’t fall for "hard-luck" stories. These are especially common when dealing with internet scams, especially if the e-mails have originated overseas or from dating websites.
If you are unfamiliar with a person or business, do your research. Explore sites such as the Better Business Bureau at www.bbb.org and/or www.ripoffreport.com.
Useful websites to visit: www.fakechecks.org, www.lookstoogoodtobetrue.com, www.ftc.gov/bcp/menus/consumer/tech.shtm

Source: Statewide Terrorism and Intelligence Center

Cyber Security Tips for Travelers

A new trend in Internet fraud is "vacation hacking": cybercriminals target travelers by creating phony Wi-Fi hot spots in airports, hotels, and even aboard airplanes. Vacationers think they're using designated Wi-Fi access points, but instead, they're signing on to fraudulent networks and sharing everything on their laptops with the hackers.

To prevent most attacks, follow these five safety tips:

Pay attention to your surroundings. Just because you're on vacation doesn't mean you're not in public. Don't look at important documents when sitting in a waiting area for a plane or a train—wait until you're alone and in private for that.
Beware of "Evil Twins." Some Wi-Fi networks look legitimate but are actually dummy networks created by criminals. Even if they contain the name of your airport, airline or hotel, they will directly link your computer to the hacker's. If you always use the official access keys provided by the establishment, then you should be safe.
Always assume Wi-Fi connections are being eavesdropped on. Never enter sensitive data - Social Security numbers, bank account information, etc. - when browsing the Web via a Wi-Fi network.
Set all Bluetooth devices to "hidden," not to "discoverable." Better yet, if you don't use Bluetooth, just shut off the function altogether.
Keep your security software current and active. Mobile PCs are just as vulnerable to viruses, worms and Trojan horses as are desktops, so make sure you have the latest protection installed.

Source: Symantec