October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month. As cyber-attacks continue to increase, businesses can face significant losses if a cyber attack occurs. Cyber criminals often take advantage of human error by getting individuals to click on malicious links or simply guessing easy passwords to gain access to systems. Cybersecurity requires the vigilance of everyone to keep data and systems safe and secure. Below are some tips that you can use to improve your cybersecurity and be cyber smart:

• Make long, unique password phrases – length trumps complexity. A strong passphrase is a sentence that is at least 12 characters long. Focus on positive sentences or phrases that you like to think about and are easy to remember.
• Use a Password Manager – a password manager like LastPass, 1Password, Keeper makes creating and securely managing unique passwords easy and secure.
• Use Multi-factor authentication – use a second, out of band factor for an additional level authentication like biometrics, security keys or a unique, one-time code through an app on your mobile device whenever offered.
• Be wary of clicking links or downloading anything – links in email, tweets, texts, posts, social media messages and online advertising are the easiest way for cyber criminals to get your sensitive information. Be wary of clicking on links or downloading anything that comes from a stranger or that you were not expecting.
• Review your Online Presence Social Media Privacy Settings – think before posting about yourself and others online. Consider what a post reveals, who might see it and how it might affect you or others. Cyber criminals can use this information to gain access to your accounts. Every time you sign up for a new account, download a new app, or get a new device, immediately configure the privacy and security settings to your comfort level for information sharing. Regularly check these settings to make sure they are still configured to your comfort.