Video Transcript

What basic steps you can take at home or at work to keep you safe in your digital world?

• Make sure you update your devices, apps, and software as soon as those updates are available. Turning on automatic updates makes the process easier.
• Don’t click on any links or attachments in texts, emails, or social media posts.
• Don’t give anyone personal or financial information unless you initiate the contact, and you are certain the person is legitimate.
• Regularly check passwords and consider using passphrases.
• Use multi-factor authentication.

How do I keep my passwords safe?

There are some basic steps you should take to keep your passwords safe.

• Check to see if any of your old passwords have been compromised. Google and Firefox both offer tools or you can look for a reputable cyber security provider to do it for you.
• Consider using a reputable password keeper. You remember one complex password, and the keeper remembers everything else.

What is a passphrase and how can it be better than a password?

A passphrase is a long series of otherwise unconnected words that mean nothing to a hacker but something memorable to you. Length makes it exceptionally complex and hard to break – but easy for you to remember. Try something from your last vacation: “Blue Ocean Necklace Hula Whales” is 26 characters of trouble for a hacker.

What is multi-factor authentication?

Multi-factor authentication - or MFA - is a great way to protect you and your devices. Basically, multi-factor authentication requires two or more pieces of information to confirm that “you” are really “you” when logging into a system. There are:

• Things you know (such as a password)
• Things you are (such as a face or fingerprint scan)
• Things you have (such as a device that gives you a constantly changing access number)

Many vendors, including banks, are using MFA now. For instance, you may be required to put in a user ID and password as well as a code that is texted to your phone before the system allows you access. That’s multi-factor authentication.

What should I know about WiFi safety?

Public WiFi at your favorite coffee shop, store, or hotel is easy and convenient, but it can also be a “hotspot” for criminal activity. Best bet: use the secure data plan on your device to do your browsing.

At home, make sure your WiFi system has a strong and updated firewall as well as the latest security protocols to keep intruders out. WPA3 is currently the most secure protocol option.