Protecting Against Cyber-Attacks

Man working on his desktop. Sandy Spring Bank Cyber-Attacks.

According to the 2018 Norton LifeLock Cyber Safety Insights Report, more than 105 million U.S. consumers have been victims of cybercrime in the past year alone – representing 41 percent of the country’s adult online population – with losses totaling an estimated $11.3 billion. During this National Cybersecurity Awareness Month – and throughout the year – we want to help our clients and their families avoid finding themselves in a similar situation.

Since the average person spends nearly seven hours a day online, it’s important we keep security top-of-mind as we navigate the internet. Check out the helpful tips below:

  1. Be sure to share personal information, such as your credit card or Social Security numbers, on the internet only if you entered the web address and are using a secure browser. If the browser is secure, there will be a lock symbol all the way to the left in the URL box. 
  2. Install personal firewall and anti-virus software on your computer.
  3. Set your operating system software (e.g. Microsoft Windows) to notify you when updates are available, and be sure to install them.
  4. Do not click on unsolicited pop-ups.
  5. Do not open unsolicited or unknown email, and use caution when opening email attachments.
  6. Set up multi-factor authentication on your email, phone and on all of your online accounts.
  7. Set up alerts on your financial accounts and monitor usage and changes to your accounts.

National Cybersecurity Awareness Month serves as a good reminder to keep ourselves and our families safe. Check out these other articles on cyber-related topics and tips, including: data security, identity theft, wire fraud and protecting your business from a cyber attack.