Tag Archives: online safety

Online Safety Tips for Remote Workers

Whether you’ve been working from home for a while or just recently started, getting a refresher on staying safe online is always a good idea. Working remotely comes with being at risk for a cyber-attack, which can be dangerous for your private work data. Read these online security tips to ensure you’re doing what you can to keep cybercriminals away.

Keep Your Work Covered

It’s always nice to change up the scenery and visit a park or coffee shop to get some work done. Working in public does come with its concerns, so make sure you’re playing it safe. Don’t let those around you peek at your screen or see what work you’re doing. You never know what strangers are up to and it’s better to be safe than sorry. Cybercriminals can be anywhere!

Always Use Strong Passwords

Not only should your accounts be protected with a strong password, but your devices should be, too. Make sure your laptop, phone and other devices are locked with a secure password. Remember not to use the same password across multiple accounts – if one password is compromised, then all of your accounts could be taken over. A great tool for this is a password manager, which will create and remember strong and secure passwords for you.

Set Up Two-Factor Authentication

Along with having a strong password comes the importance of two-factor authentication. This will add an additional step to your login process to make sure your account is protected and not being hacked. Some common ways this works is through an email/text confirmation or fingerprint scan. Two-factor authentication ensures that, even if your password is compromised, you still have a backup plan in action.

Beware of Public Wi-Fi

Using public Wi-Fi is the prime way that cybercriminals are able to access your data. They’re using the same network as you, making it much easier for them to hack your device or accounts. If you’re doing work in a public place, use a personal hotspot or a VPN to encrypt your internet traffic, which would make it unreadable to others.

We hope these tips were good reminders for those of you who work remotely. Cybersecurity is becoming more and more important as technology advances, so be sure to share this information with coworkers, family, friends and others you know who are working from home and contact us to learn how we can help you with all things finance!

Online Safety Tips for Retirees

Online safety is a much bigger problem than most people realize. It’s estimated that seniors lose a total of about $30 billion every year because of online scams. We want to prevent that from happening, and we bet you do, too. We’ve put together some of the easiest ways for seniors to be safe online.

Be careful when making online purchases. Hackers and scammers can make their websites look pretty realistic and trustworthy on the outside. Here are some ways to know when not to enter your personal information.

Look for reviews if buying a product.
Make sure the website is secure.
If possible, only shop on websites you or others have used in the past.

Keep tabs on all of your accounts. Be sure not to let your accounts, on social media or elsewhere, go left unvisited for too long. The following points will help you know how to keep your personal accounts protected.

Use strong and secure passwords, as well as different passwords for each account.
Give a trusted family member or friend access to your accounts in case of emergency.

Think about what you’re posting. Just because your account is private doesn’t mean everything you post in there is safe from the world’s eyes. There are still ways for hackers to access your account or for others to copy and share your posts.

Don’t post pictures or information you wouldn’t want the public to know about.
If you need to share important but private information, consider doing so in person or over a phone call if possible.

Don’t trust all emails and messages. Although many email providers have an automatic spam filter, some make it to your inbox. When it comes to social media, messages from strangers can be dangerous.

Ignore the “You’re a winner!” or “Free prize!” messages.
Verify with friends before sending any money in case their account was hacked.
Don’t trust direct messages unless you can verify who the person is and why they’d be reaching out to you.

Be careful what you choose to download. Hackers will often create free downloadable documents that are actually viruses. Here are some steps to make sure your device doesn’t get hacked.

Know and trust your source before downloading anything.
Have a protective security software installed on your device.
Verify with a professional that it’s a trusted source.

Technology is a wonderful thing, but it definitely comes with dangers. Be sure to follow these practical online safety tips and continue protecting your personal information!

Online Safety: Family Edition

Today, having both Internet access and safety seems nearly impossible. While technology can be enriching and educational, it has its downsides. How can you protect your family from the dangers of the Internet while also allowing them access? Keep reading for some of our online safety tips for families.

Be Careful What Information You’re Sharing

Many hackers and identity thieves feed off oversharing. Be careful which websites you’re entering personal information into – don’t trust just any website. Oversharing is also dangerous on social networks, so be sure to make your kids aware of the information that shouldn’t ever be shared, like driver’s licenses, usernames or passwords, addresses, social security numbers, etc.

Be Careful Using Public Wi-Fi

Connecting to a public Wi-Fi network can seem harmless and convenient, but that’s not always true. Using public Wi-Fi in places like restaurants and malls is an easy way for hackers and cybercriminals to hack your information. Remember to use a VPN like this one when you connect to a public Wi-Fi network.

Keep an Eye on Your Social Media Networks

Random messages from unknown users have become more common as social media becomes more popular. Although it seems obvious to ignore spam messages, delete them and move on, kids might not know to do that. Teach your kids to never respond to an unknown person’s message online, and emphasize how dangerous it is to respond to strangers. The smartest move is to get your kids into the habit of coming to you when they receive a strange message so you can double check the user’s profile.

Educate Your Children

Most of the time, the reason kids fall into the trap of hackers is because they’re uneducated. Give your kids a mini lesson about what cybersecurity is, why it’s so important and how they can protect themselves. Remind them that if anything seems unusual, they should talk to you so you can make sure the situation is safe.

Manage Your Passwords

Most Internet users have the same couple of passwords for all of their accounts, making the hacking process even easier. There are safe password management systems allowing you to use a different password for all of your accounts, while only having to remember one password for the system.

Backup Your Data

Cybercriminals that hack into your computer can lock you out of your own important files and information. Keep your files backed up regularly so in that situation, you know your files aren’t lost.

Although there are many ways your cybersecurity can be compromised, there are multiple ways to protect yourself and your family. We hope you protect your information with these top tips!

Cybersecurity Check: How Secure Are Your Actions?

It’s 2020 and more than time to be certain your cybersecurity practices are up to date. Cybercriminals become more advanced and attuned to the different ways to penetrate vulnerabilities of those who aren’t up to date on security. These are the top actions you need to take. Can you say yes to any of these?

Are you cautious with the applications on your phone?

Sometimes, there’s a false sense of security when it comes to phone applications. Apps are used for about everything these days and too often users think they are safer than they are. You may have noticed that pop ups can still occur on these applications and can pose a security risk to you and the information held on your device. You may even click on the ad accidently while it takes you to a suspicious website.

Is your software up to date?

Yes, we realize that having to update your phone or computer can be a nuisance. It can be frustrating at times because it may change the layout of certain features on your phone. Yet, we would still recommend updating due to the protection it provides. It will help to patch vulnerabilities and fortify your wall of protection.

Are you aware of phishing scams?

How attuned are you to phishing scams? Phishing is when the cybercriminal acts like someone else in order to trick the victims. Be sure to: never open an email from someone you don’t know, click on unfamiliar links and always be suspicious when it comes to emails – even from friends that may send harmful links unknowingly.

Are your passwords updated periodically?

It’s frustrating to have to remember many different passwords and to constantly be updating them. But it is still less of a headache than it would be if you had your identity stolen or your data held for ransom. Never use the same password twice and update each password at least once a year.

Is your PII Personal?

PII stands for personal identification information. This includes your address, birthdate, birthplace and middle name. These are often listed on many people’s social media pages. Sometimes all it takes to have your identity stolen is your full name and birthdate. Be sure to remove this from your pages and to keep it private.

For more tips on how to stay ahead of the cybersecurity curve, contact us today!

Online Safety Tips for Kids

Technology is everywhere and used on a daily basis nowadays, so how do we protect our children when online? Now more than ever is the most important time to sit down with your kiddos and really explain the importance of being safe while online. That’s why Milledgeville State Bank wanted to offer some main points to touch on with your kids when discussing online safety.

Family Rules:

I won’t tell my address, name, phone number or other special information to anyone online or post it online.
I will tell mom or dad right away if something does not seem right when I’m on the computer or my phone.
I’ll never meet anyone I speak to online, unless my parents say it’s okay and come with me.
I’ll talk to my parents about posting certain things online if I’m unsure, such as pictures.
I won’t give anyone my passwords, even my best friends.
I won’t download any games until checking with mom or dad.
I will not say mean things to anyone online and tell my parents if I do see something like that, or if it happens to me.
I will have mom or dad help install privacy settings on any online platforms I’m using.

Tips for Mom and Dad:

Have your child on their phone or computer in open areas, like a living room or kitchen. Don’t allow them to be alone and on technology if they are young.
If you’re comfortable with it, you can limit what your child does or keep an eye on their actions with certain tools and settings. One tool to use is YouTube Parental Controls. Click here to learn more about this.
Educate yourself on social media, so you know what your child is getting exposed to.
Continuously talk to your young children about being safe and make sure they understand and keep the promises above.
For your older children, give them more space and freedom with their technology. However, continue to have open conversations about what is new in the online world and if they are experiencing any issues such as cyberbullying or came across something that made them uncomfortable.
If your child has an older sibling and feels more comfortable talking to them, encourage them to have discussions about what they’ve seen online so they can talk about ways to stay safe, as well as what’s right and wrong.

We hope these tips allow you to keep your children safe while online. Technology is an important part of society now, but it’s always vital to keep discussions open and honest about the online world, so there is a good flow of trust and communication within your family.

Stay Secure While Staying Connected: Top Myths of Security

It’s nearly unavoidable to have some semblance of a social life if you are not using technology to connect with the outside world. From social media and texting to phone applications, we are always connected. Many are uninformed of how to maintain this social connection while at the same time protecting themselves from the most basic security threats. We are combating this by busting the most common notions or myths about cybersecurity.

MYTH: Hackers aren’t interested in what I have.

If you have a social security number, hackers are interested in you. Even if you feel like your personal wealth is not very high, your social security number is incredibly valuable. With your number, they can conduct financial theft by applying for loans and credit cards in your name. They could also use your number to incur their healthcare costs or even legal obligations. In an even darker scenario, your identity can be sold to other hackers to use over and over again. Thereby creating a tumultuous problem. Realize that you have something worth protecting!

MYTH: My email application blocks all of the spam for me.

It only takes one accidental or wrong click to open yourself up to malware. And as great as some email applications are, they aren’t able to block every suspicious email from entering your inbox. Did you know that 1.5 percent of spam emails are malicious? Considering how many you likely get in a day, you are at risk every time you click. There are many ways to add additional filters to your email, but the best line of defense is actually you. If you have even the slightest suspicion about an email, report it. Only communicate with those you know without a doubt are secure sources.

MYTH: I’d be safer to go off the grid.

While it may sound alluring to some nomads, unplugging from digital connection can put you in a position of higher risk. This is because there is less day to day monitoring of your accounts. This makes your accounts a terrific target for hackers to attack and go by unnoticed.

MYTH: I have cybersecurity software, so I am not at risk.

If you’ve invested in anti-virus software, good for you for taking steps to protect yourself! However, hackers are becoming more advanced and finding ways to bypass hundreds of protective measures every day. Also, they can still attack you from other sources such as social media. A great way to combat this is to never click on unfamiliar links and to limit the information you put on social media, including your birthdate.

Stay safe while staying connected with these great tips. Remember, we offer safe and secure banking products to keep your information protected.

Top Ten Cybersecurity Tips

With our reliance on technology increasing in nearly every facet of our lives, it is more important than ever that you are educated on how to protect yourself and your assets from cyber threats. Hackers are interested in anyone and everyone’s information. It does not matter if you don’t think you have anything worth stealing. Your identity itself is incredibly valuable on the black market. Take the proper precautions and follow these simple cybersecurity tips!

1. Put a lock on all of your systems.

We mean this not only for your devices but on your smart systems, too. If you don’t have a lock on your router, you want to get one immediately. A cybercriminal will be able to log onto your Wi-Fi and gain access to any device using your internet. This is another reason why you should never log on to any wireless internet that does not require a passcode. Every time you walk away from a device, whether it be your phone or a laptop, make sure that you have locked it with a passcode.

2. Pay inside.

We know the weather isn’t exactly warm anymore and you want to get the chore of filling your gas tank over with quickly. However, pay at the pump services pose a risk. Like an ATM, gas pumps can have card skimmers. Take your card to the friendly face behind the counter inside.

3. Always backup your data.

Ransomware is when a hacker takes your data and refuses to release it until a price is paid. We can say with a fair amount of certainty, they will never give you your data, no matter how much you pay. To avoid being in this situation, consistently remove data you don’t need and save what you do on a cloud-based system.

4. Keep your friends close.

We are going against the notorious saying. Keep your friends close and your enemies as far away as possible. When you get a friend request from someone that you do not know, be suspicious. Play it safe and decline these persons unless you have at least 20 mutual friends.

5. BYOD (Bring Your Own Device)

We are sorry to say it, but you can’t always trust that your friend will stay as up-to-date on security measures as you. However, you can certainly alert them to this blog! Until then, don’t use anyone’s devices but your own, as you can be hacked from unknown sources.

6. Question before connection.

This ties into #4, but just because you are on LinkedIn, doesn’t mean it is a platform where cybercrime does not happen. Be wary of who is trying to connect with you, as they may be trying to steal basic information about you to use to hack your accounts.

7. Smarten up your phone.

Your phone may have come with some automatic security measures, but you can take it further. Be sure to turn your Wi-Fi and Bluetooth off when they are not in use. If you have sensitive information on your phone, you can install an encryption system as a safeguard.

8. Get your apps together.

You likely have apps on your phone that you haven’t used in months. You probably haven’t done the necessary updates to the app and it may not be safe to keep storing it on your phone. More apps can equal more risk, so clean them up.

9. Free Wi-Fi isn’t always free.

If you’re like most people, you connect with public Wi-Fi whenever it is available. We suggest not doing this, as it may not be secure. There may be criminals who try to access your device through the wireless internet to steal your information.

10. Don’t say, “It can’t happen to me.”

Most importantly, you need to realize that no one is immune from a cyber attack. Cybercriminals will take whatever they can get. Don’t let yourself become the next victim.

Ignorance of this threat is not an option now that you know some great ways to avoid being hacked. Be sure you’re staying safe when online. Our Online and Mobile Banking services offer the security you need to bank efficiently.

Protect Yourself From Social Networking Site Hacks

In the world of social media, everything nowadays is online and public for all to view. With the numerous updates we face every day, it’s important to keep yourself up-to-date on what social networking sites share to others and how you can limit those settings. Protect yourself online with these simple tips to start!

Be Cautious When Adding Friends

Being constantly bombarded with friend requests and follows slowly weakens your cautiousness. You begin to accept more people without really digging in. This makes you a target for hackers. When someone has a friend in common on Facebook, this doesn’t mean you should just add them. Make sure you truly know the person before accepting a follow/friend request. Comb through your friends list now and delete those you don’t know.

Update Your Privacy Settings

It’s important to update your privacy settings so only friends and followers can see your posts. Hackers and other unwanted viewers are able to see your posts and photos if you keep things on public. Facebook answers some common privacy settings questions here.

Don’t Enable Auto Login

Yes, it’s easier to have your phone and computer “remember” your password and username. However, if someone were to gain access to your phone, they would automatically have access to all material and credit card info that is auto saved on sites.

Change Passwords Frequently

This may be an old tip, but it is the MOST important. Changing your password every 30-60 days and making sure it’s different from your other accounts will increase your security online exponentially.

Stop Geotagging

This is one of the most dangerous features now enabled on social networks and devices. Most people don’t realize Twitter and Instagram both use geotagging (which stores the latitude and longitude of your Tweet or image) for everything you send out. Pictures you take on an iPhone usually store geotagging information as well. This gives unwanted people way too much information about your location. See how you can turn this feature off on an iPhone and iPad here.

Enable Two-Factor Authentication

This feature has become an important addition to many social networking sites. It can be frustrating when trying to log in on a new device, but enabling Two-Factor Authentication means you will be alerted right away if someone is trying to log in.

These security tips are easy ways to start down the path of becoming more secure while online. It’s better to be aware of the features these sites hold and know exactly how they can help or hurt you. At Milledgeville State Bank, we take pride in how secure our clients’ information is and aim to help others protect themselves.

Cybersecurity: Q&A

cybersecurity

We all know this one – use different passwords and switch them up periodically. While this is a helpful tip to avoid being hacked, there are some questions you may still have on cybersecurity. Luckily, Milledgeville State Bank offers a few answers to your existing questions.

Question: How can I protect my personal information from an attack?

Answer: Be sure that your antivirus program is up-to-date. When it is time to renew that software, do it. Don’t wait around thinking it will be okay for a few weeks. Hackers have more freedom to get your information when anti-virus programs are down. Another tip is to update your WIFI password regularly along with creating a unique network name.

Question: How risky is using public WIFI?

Answer: Even though free WIFI sounds like a great deal, don’t be tempted. Hackers sit waiting for potential targets connecting to public WIFI zones. They have the perfect opportunity to go undetected and gain access to your personal information.

Question: What kind of passwords should I be creating and using?

Answer: Utilize a password that contains letters, numbers and special characters such as @, #, ^, etc. Be sure that everyone in your family uses different passwords with separate logins. This ensures that if one person gets hacked, that other family members’ information can still be protected. Be sure to turn on 2-step authentication wherever it’s available and keep your browser and software updated.

Question: Can a hacker access my webcam?

Answer: Although the short answer is yes, don’t begin to worry too much. As long as you continue to make updates to your software, you should be okay. Cyber criminals focus on drawing you to untrusted sites, having you click on links or download certain items. Once this happens, hackers are able to begin stealing your information or encrypt your data. Some even make you pay a “ransom” to get control of your computer and access to your information.

Question: Is paper the safe option to do business?

Answer: Doing business electronically is perfectly safe if you use the right tools. Paper information can be stolen, lost in the mail or misplaced into the wrong hands. Properly securing your business passwords and information along with keeping it separate from your personal information will help protect your data. Shred any hard copy information you no longer need if you decide to go that route and lock up the important files that shouldn’t be left in the open.

We hope these answers help you understand cybersecurity a little better! Don’t be afraid to surf the web – just stay aware and continue updating your software. Don’t get caught up on the technical terms, just read information from trustworthy sources to better protect yourself!

Cyber Security for College Students

secure

So you think you’re all set for your first day of classes. Backpack, books, IPad and smartphone in hand – you think you have everything you need for success this semester. However, learning proper cybersecurity habits are just as important to your college success as the friends you make or the assignments you accomplish.

You’re well acquainted with technology and internet scams, and think you are far off from being duped or scammed online. However, technology is ever changing which means the tactics hackers use to access your personal information can be even sneakier. In 2014, there were 13,500 burglaries reported in on campus crimes across the US. Here are some basic tips to keep in mind while on campus or use as a refresher, you smarty pants!

Keep Your Friends Close and Your Devices Closer

You’re constantly sharing a workspace with your peers. From the dorm room to the library, you’re devices are always accessible to others. Never leave your devices unattended. Always have a passlock on each screen, and make sure no one is lurking over you when you enter the pin. Look into purchasing a laptop lock to secure the physical safety of your device.

The Value of a Number

If you’re like most college students, you’re eating ramen and shopping at the nearest thrift store. This might be why you haven’t been worried about cyber security in the past. You can barely afford proper nutrition, so you don’t have anything worth stealing. WRONG. Your social security number is incredibly valuable to a hacker who can sell it on the dark web. They can use this to open various credit accounts in your name or hold other precious online information like family photos hostage until you pay their ransom.

Back, Back, Back it Up

We know you have a million other things on your plate right now, but be sure you are backing up your data on a secure cloud system or an external hard drive. Consistently setting a time to backup all of your important documents will help protect you against ransomware and file corruptions.

PDA: Public Displays of Access

Who doesn’t like free stuff? One of the perks of college is that you are probably going to have a lot of freebies thrown at you. This means free WiFi that you can gulp down without having to dry out your data usage while catching up with friends back home. However, even your dorm WiFi can be infiltrated by hackers who access the network’s router, create fake login pages to steal your information or take data from your device. You can protect yourself by not using public WiFi, or purchasing a VPN.

Shhh, Mums the Word

Although it might be easy and sweet to use fido in your password, make sure to keep your password on each account different and complex. You don’t want to allow a hacker to open Pandora’s box after they figure out your one password. Keep your password private and unique. We recommend incorporating special characters, acronyms or even sentences at random.

We hope that these tips will be helpful in keeping your identity safe in your college adventure!