20 Tips to Keep Your Data Secure – Cybersecurity Awareness Month

October 14, 2021

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month!

Are you practicing safe cybersecurity habits? Calhoun CIS and Cybersecurity students have compiled this list of 20 tips to help keep your data and identity secure online.

To learn more about the cybersecurity programs at Calhoun, visit the Center for Cybersecurity Education.

1. If offered, use two-factor authentication. It adds a second layer of security and makes it a bit harder for hackers to access your accounts. So even if your initial password is hacked, an extra factor, like a security token, fingerprint, face scan, or voice recognition, is needed in order to get through.
   – Kaitlyn A., AAS Adv Manufacturing; Concentration- Robotics/Mechatronics
2. Don’t click suspicious links
   Do your research before buying something online
   Once you post something on the internet it will always be on the internet
   – Aidan Harm, General Studies
3. Keep your software up to date to help curb ransomware attacks
   Use 2-factor authentication for extra security
   – Dillon W., AAS Adv Manufacturing; Concentration- AC & Refrig Adv
4. Use multiple passwords instead of the same password for each app
   – Susan F., General Studies
5. Get a password manager
   – Zavier J., AAS CIS; Concentration-Cybersecurity/IT
6. Make sure to get a good Anti-virus
   – Kyle A., Undeclared Major
7. Use Fingerprint ID; change passwords frequently.
   – Christa, General Studies
8. Use unique passwords for every website/ login.
   – Michael P., Criminal Justice major
9. Don’t post pictures of my location on social media until 2 weeks after I return home.
   At the gas station, I pull out the card reader to see if it’s a real one or a credit card skimmer – designed to steal credit card information.
   – Eric, Business Adm. Major
10. I memorize my passwords …by using inside jokes or mysterious phrases and I use website trackers to ensure I’m on safe websites. A VPN is a great choice when using free/public Wi-Fi.
    – R. M., AAS CIS; Concentration-Cybersecurity/IT
11. I use a strong password (15 characters with special symbols/characters) and always edit my privacy settings on websites and apps
    – S.A., Dental Assisting.
12. Use a strong password on all accounts. Update devices whenever a new update is available. Avoid clicking on links from emails you are not sure about. Avoid using insecure websites. Avoid sharing information about yourself unless it is a trusted site. Avoid using public WIFI.
    – Laurel, General Studies
13. Block pop-ups that redirect your settings. Consider using a VPN to encrypt and protect your data. Use a pattern passcode for your phone as another option instead of using a numerical passcode.
    – Maria, English major
14. To better secure your router at home, change the name of your router. This allows the router’s name to be more unique and more difficult to identify to whom it belongs (especially when the router name pops up in one’s wireless search for a wi-fi connection). Also, use a password manager on your phone or device to ensure a secure password.
    – Bentlee S. Business Major
15. I use a Raspberry Pi to run Pi-Hole to eliminate ads on my home network by blacklisting ad servers. It acts as a DNS server for my network and works well at keeping malicious ads out of my network. https://pi-hole.net/
    – Christopher H., Industrial Maintenance
16. Create intricate passwords for accounts that require a login.
    LOG OUT!
    Do not select “remember/save password for this site”
    Do not allow pop-ups on your devices ¬all the time
    – F. Cunningham
17. As annoying as it may seem, update Windows regularly to keep Windows Defender at its best.
    – Caleb L., AAS CIS; Concentration-Cybersecurity/IT
18. I have Norton installed on all of my devices.
    All of my devices have a password, pin, or fingerprint to access that device.
    When available I have set up to be notified if someone attempts to get on my account from another device.
    I have my banking to be set up with alerts on the usage of my accounts.
    – JLD, A.S. General Education – Business Concentration
19. I have 2-factor authentications enabled on any application or website I can. Social media is a huge platform for cyber threats. Another tip I have is NEVER open any odd or unfamiliar emails or texts and click on any link as those can be part of a phishing attack. The attacker can use those links to infect your device with malware to steal your information.
    – Martin D. Cyber Security Major
20. How to Keep Your Information Secure
    1. Use a VPN. A virtual private network is a great way to protect your information whether on your home network or, or on a public network.
    2. Don’t use the public Wi-Fi at Barnes and Noble! I know it’s tempting, but it’s also a great way for ne’er do wells to steal your information.
    3. Require a password/pin for all your devices. This seems simple and it is!
    4. And on that note – Don’t leave your password out on your desk. This piece of advice is so old I remember when they joked about it on CSI back in 2008.
    5. Change your passwords often and make sure the passwords are strong! We all know the joke about how your password should never be Password. Use special characters, letters, capital letters, and numbers to create unique passwords.
    6. Use different passwords for all your devices.
    7. Maybe you don’t need 10 million smart devices in your house.
    8. Don’t click on suspicious emails. I promise, there are no hot singles in your area who are interested in you.
    9. Use your fingerprint to lock your phone. That way, if your phone gets stolen, you will also have to be kidnapped for them to unlock your phone. It’s not worth it. Kidnapping is a federal crime.
    10. Destroy old devices Office Space style!

    – Arianne K., AAS CIS; Concentration-CIS Programming