Become more #CyberAware during October Cyber Security Awareness Month

Cyber Security Awareness Month is an internationally recognized campaign held each October to inform the public of the importance of cyber security.

America’s National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM) campaign – under leadership from the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA) and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) – has grown exponentially, reaching consumers, small and medium-size businesses, corporations, educational institutions, and young people across the nation.

Fedhealth has been a proud Champion of NCSAM since 2004 promoting awareness about online safety on our blog and enews.

Cybersecurity begins with a simple message everyone using the Internet can adopt: STOP. THINK. CONNECT. Take security and safety precautions, understand the consequences of your actions and behaviors online, secure your IoT devices , and enjoy the benefits of the Internet.

NCSA has resources, weekly themes and social media tools to help families, businesses and educators get #CyberAware and involved at staysafeonline.org/ncsam. Follow NCSA on Facebook or on Twitter @STOPTHNKCONNECT and @StaySafeOnline and search #CyberAware for more cyber safety tips and resources.

Canada’s Cyber Security Awareness Month (CSAM) was created to educate Canadians about Internet security and the simple steps individuals can take to protect themselves online.

Canada’s #CSAM campaign is divided by themes which highlight different aspects of cyber security each week. Learn more at getcybersafe.ca and follow @GetCyberSafe or #CSAM on Twitter.

And the European Union advocacy campaign European Cyber Security Month (ECSM) aims to raise awareness of cyber security threats, promote cyber security among citizens and organizations; and provide resources to protect themselves online, through education and sharing of good practices.

Visit http://cybersecuritymonth.eu/ to learn more and to find events in Europe and follow @CyberSecMonth and ‪#‎cybersecmonth on Twitter.

Whether you use one computer, a smartphone or a massive network, it is critical to keep systems protected from viruses and attacks. Some things you can do include…

• Make sure computers and all wireless devices have current anti-virus and anti-spyware software and firewalls … and schedule them to scan daily or weekly. Also set virus patterns, operating systems and browsers to update automatically. Encourage employees to protect their personal home devices too.
• Set security preferences as high as possible on Internet browsers and anti-virus packages.
• Use a strong password to protect your home wi-fi router and create a “Guest” password for people who visit and need internet access.
• Be aware some flash drives may have trojans or viruses, or be used to copy sensitive data off secure systems, so consider limiting access to critical files and/or systems.
• Although it is best to not open emails or attachments from unknown sources, that’s not feasible in the business world. But implement precautionary procedures like having employees save attached files into a temp directory and scan them before opening.
• Discourage accessing financial institutions from mobile devices using apps or email links. Instead, visit banking and credit card sites directly using a browser window.
• Be aware there are lots of “scareware” scams online! Do NOT download or click on a screen that says it found “X number of viruses or spyware on your system” suggesting you download their package — it will most likely be a virus.
• Use long passwords (using both numbers and letters [and special characters if possible]) on banking, social media and other systems, change them often, and don’t share them with others.
• Backup data often and keep a daily or weekly backup off-site.
• Make sure someone knows how to download patches or fixes in case a computer or system gets infected. And have a backup plan in case that person (or team) is not available.
• If your business is hacked, file a complaint with the Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov
• Stay current on cyber threats by joining DHS’s US Computer Emergency Readiness Team www.us-cert.gov and visit NCSA’s www.staysafeonline.org

Please share these resources with others and post your #CyberAware tips in comments below.

Happy, safe surfing, j & B

Get involved with October 2014 National Cyber Security Awareness Month #NCSAM

Did you know October is cyber security month in several countries?

America’s National Cyber Security Awareness Month or NCSAM campaign – under leadership from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the National Cyber Security Alliance – has grown exponentially, reaching consumers, small and medium-size businesses, corporations, educational institutions, and young people across the nation.

Cybersecurity begins with a simple message everyone using the Internet can adopt: STOP. THINK. CONNECT. Take security and safety precautions, understand the consequences of your actions and behaviors online, and enjoy the benefits of the Internet.

The National Cyber Security Alliance has #NCSAM tools, banners and materials to help home users, K-12 Educators, Higher Education, Small Businesses and more get involved at www.staysafeonline.org. You can also follow NCSA on Facebook or on Twitter @STOPTHNKCONNECT and @StaySafeOnline and search #NCSAM to find more cyber safety tips and resources.

Canada’s national public awareness campaign Get Cyber Safe was created to educate Canadians about Internet security and the simple steps individuals can take to protect themselves online. Learn more at www.getcybersafe.gc.ca and follow them on Twitter @GetCyberSafe

And the European Union advocacy campaign European Cyber Security Month (ECSM) aims to promote cyber security among citizens, to change their perception of cyber-threats and provide up to date security information, through education and sharing good practices. Visit http://cybersecuritymonth.eu/ to learn more and follow ‪#‎cybersecawarenessmonth‬ on social media to keep up on activities in Europe.

As NCSA explains… The Internet is a shared resource and securing it is Our Shared Responsibility. Everyone has a role in securing their part of cyberspace, including the devices and networks they use. If each of us does our part—implementing stronger security practices, raising community awareness, educating young people or training employees—together we will be a digital society safer and more resistant from attacks and more resilient if an attack occurs.

Also read and share our article called Protecting devices from cyber threats.

Stay safe out there, j & B

October is National Cyber Security Awareness Month (cyber safety tips and tools for #ncsam)

October is National Cyber Security Awareness Month. NCSAM, sponsored by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA), is a national public awareness campaign to encourage everyone to protect their computers and our nation’s critical cyber infrastructure.

Fedhealth is proud to be an NCSAM Champion and we are encouraging everyone to learn more about NCSAM since cybersecurity is our shared responsibility. That means everyone has the potential to make a difference and educate others.

Whether you use one computer, a smartphone or a massive network, it is critical to keep systems protected from viruses and attacks.

• Make sure computers and all wireless devices have current anti-virus and anti-spyware software and firewalls .. and schedule them to scan daily or weekly. Also set virus patterns, operating systems and browsers to update automatically. Encourage employees to protect their personal home devices too.

• Set security preferences as high as possible on Internet browsers and anti-virus packages.

• Be aware some flash drives may have trojans or viruses, or be used to copy sensitive data off secure systems, so consider limiting access to critical files and/or systems.

• Although it is best to not open emails or attachments from unknown sources, that’s not feasible in the business world. But implement precautionary procedures like having employees save attached files into a temp directory and scan them before opening.

• Discourage accessing financial institutions from mobile devices using apps or email links. Instead, visit banking and credit card sites directly using a browser window.

• Be aware there are lots of “scareware” scams online! Do NOT download or click on a screen that says it found “X number of viruses or spyware on your system” suggesting you download their package — it will most likely be a virus.

• Use long passwords (using both numbers and letters [and special characters if possible]), change them often, and don’t share them with others.

• Backup data often and keep a daily or weekly backup off-site.

• Make sure someone knows how to download patches or fixes in case a computer or system gets infected. And have a backup plan in case that person (or team) is not available.

• If your business is hacked, file a complaint with the Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov

• Stay current on cyber threats by joining DHS’s US Computer Emergency Readiness Team www.us-cert.gov and visit NCSA’s www.staysafeonline.org

NCSA has many tools and materials available online for…

• Consumers / Home Users (tools to protect home computers, wireless devices & kids)

• Businesses, organizations & agencies (tools to protect your workplace, employees and customers)

• K-12 Administrators and Educators (tips for staff, lessons & teaching materials, etc)

• College Administrators (tools to share with college staff and students)

Learn more about National Cyber Security Awareness Month at www.staysafeonline.org/ncsam and get involved!