Every October since 2004, National Cyber Security Awareness Month—administered by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)—reminds us of the importance of protecting not only our individual identities, finances, and privacy but also our country’s national security, critical infrastructure, and economy. Cyber security is a responsibility shared by all—the public sector, the private sector, and the general public.

Individually, Americans should ensure the security of their own computers and other electronic devices. You don’t want criminals accessing your bank accounts online. You don’t want to become part of a criminal botnet responsible for stealing millions of dollars. You don’t want to unknowingly infect your company’s computer network with a damaging virus.

Below are some key steps to protecting your computer from intrusion:

• Keep Your Firewall Turned On: A firewall helps protect your computer from hackers who might try to gain access to crash it, delete information, or even steal passwords or other sensitive information. Software firewalls are widely recommended for single computers. The software is prepackaged on some operating systems or can be purchased for individual computers. For multiple networked computers, hardware routers typically provide firewall protection.
• Install or Update Your Antivirus Software: Antivirus software is designed to prevent malicious software programs from embedding on your computer. If it detects malicious code, like a virus or a worm, it works to disarm or remove it. Viruses can infect computers without users’ knowledge. Most types of antivirus software can be set up to update automatically.
• Install or Update Your Antispyware Technology: Spyware is just what it sounds like—software that is surreptitiously installed on your computer to let others peer into your activities on the computer. Some spyware collects information about you without your consent or produces unwanted pop-up ads on your web browser. Some operating systems offer free spyware protection, and inexpensive software is readily available for download on the Internet or at your local computer store. Be wary of ads on the Internet offering downloadable antispyware—in some cases, these products may be fake and may actually contain spyware or other malicious code. It’s like buying groceries—shop where you trust.
• Keep Your Operating System Up to Date: Computer operating systems are periodically updated to stay in tune with technology requirements and to fix security holes. Be sure to install the updates to ensure your computer has the latest protection.
• Be Careful What You Download: Carelessly downloading e-mail attachments can circumvent even the most vigilant anti-virus software. Never open an e-mail attachment from someone you don’t know and be wary of forwarded attachments from people you do know. They may have unwittingly advanced malicious code.
• Turn Off Your Computer: With the growth of high-speed Internet connections, many opt to leave their computers on and ready for action. The downside is that being “always on” renders computers more susceptible. Beyond firewall protection, which is designed to fend off unwanted attacks, turning the computer off effectively severs an attacker’s connection—be it spyware or a botnet that employs your computer’s resources to reach out to other unwitting users.
• Use Strong Passwords: Avoid using the same one or two passwords for everything. Make passwords at least eight characters and include numbers, symbols, and capital letters.
• Avoid Posting Personal Identifiable Information On Social Media Platforms: Be careful about the information you post on social media sites especially photographs. You should assume the information that you post will go public. While privacy settings can help limit who has access to your postings it does not protect you from others taking the same information and sharing it with others.

In conclusion, make it as difficult as possible for criminals and others to use your digital technology against you, against other innocent victims, and against our nation as a whole.

To learn more about cyber security threats and scams please visit our Cyber Crime section at www.fbi.gov or IC3.gov.