October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month in the USA, but it’s good for our global community to be reminded of the basics of computer security. If you have secured your computer, please take a minute this month to remind your friends and family to review their online safety.
Keep your computer safe
- Make sure you have up-to-date antivirus software
- Update all software with the latest versions
- Protect your files, music and photos with regular backups
- Protect smart phones, gaming systems, USBs and other web-enabled devices that connect to the Internet
Many computer security vendors offer free security checks for your computer. You may want to try one of these online scanners to check your computer for known viruses, spyware, etc., and to find out if your computer is vulnerable to cyber attacks.
Be wise on the web
New sources of malware are constantly being introduced, and antivirus alone is unable to protect every vulnerability. Use caution when you are prompted to download and take a moment to check the reputation of the site with WOT.
- Install the WOT rating add-on to see which sites are trusted when surfing, shopping and searching
- Don’t click on links or visit websites that look suspicious
- Make passwords strong by using a combination of letters, symbols and numbers
Guard your wallet and identity
- Be suspicious of any email with urgent requests for personal financial information
- Set your security and privacy settings on social networking sites
- When banking and shopping, check that the site is secured with with https:// or shttp://
- Add your ratings and comments about websites you have experience with to help guide other WOT users
- Look for the WOT Trust Seal and other security, privacy and shopping seals
You can find information about Cybersecurity Awareness Month here . Please add any additional tips below, and we wish you safe surfing!