Security.
Information for internet safety.
What is Cyber Safety?
Cyber safety will help make give you information to ensure you that you make safe and responsible decisions when using technology for communication, research, or browsing. Cybersecurity gives you back up information on dangerous issues on the internet so that you can secure your information. Although the internet is generally a fairly safe place there are still plenty of hackers lurking around and will relentlessly try to steal your information.
Tips
1. Keep Personal Information Hidden or Private and make sure that it is secured.
2. Privacy is key: ALWAYS keep these settings on
3. Avoid shady sites or sites labeled "not secure"
4. Use a secure internet and keep a VPN connection on to avoid any other risks.
Topic #1 Identity Theft
What is it?
Identity theft or identity fraud happens when a internet thief/hacker gains access to your personal information such as your name, address, credit card or bank account numbers, Social Security number, phone or utility account numbers, account passwords, or medical insurance numbers. With all of your crucial information hackers can use that information for their economic gain and you economic decline.
The Effects...
By taking over your account, identity thieves can take over your financial accounts, which could ultimately affect your retirement, your mortgage, and your possibly your child’s education (if you have one). Always be attentive and wary on the internet because thieves are always on the loose and will try to steal personal things like your social security number. Additionally, they can also distribute your personal information on the shady platforms such as the dark web. Even more dangerously, identity thieves can commit crimes in your name, which can directly harm your reputation and can be incredibly difficult to cover up or to fix. If you’re applying for a job and a criminal record pops up in your background check, you will most likely lose your chance at what your applying for. And even your social media accounts, with your personal information, identity thieves have access to your family members, friends, acquantinces, etc. and are now given the opportunity to rub your reputation in the dirt or they could try to take information from those close to you as well.
How do I receive help for it?
Make sure to act quickly to limit the thieves' impact on you and seek help immediately. Depending on the type of ID theft, you can reach out to a variety of entities, including the major credit reporting agencies, banks, the Social Security Administration, the IRS, the Federal Trade Commission, and law enforcement. Due to its psychological effects on its victims, seek help for that as well. Although this is secondary to the financial toll, try to take care of your psyche before that goes out of hand as well.
Topic #2 Phishing
What is it?
Phishing occurs when internet scammers use text messages or emails to trick people into giving them personal information. Similarly to identity theft, scammers will try to steal your personal information (passwords, account numbers, Social Security numbers). Phishing is not uncommon and thousands of them are sent out daily. But why is it so dangerous? Phishing emails and texts can look as if a known or trusted company sent it. Phishing messages appeal to your Pathos, Logos, or Ethos incredibly well which is why most people either believe it is a credible source or believe that it can make their lives better. However, by opening phishing links/attachments you can download harmful malware. You can easily identify them, however, by: topics that seem too good to be true, urgent messages, hyperlinks, attachments, unusual senders (people you have never heard of or have fishy names).
How do I receive help?
