October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month
Cybercrimes are a very real risk to global economic security.
Did you know that the month of October is recognized as Cybersecurity Awareness Month? This is a particularly special observance for us at WGU Nevada because of our IT College. A few degrees that the college offers is a Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity and Information Assurance and a Master of Science in Cybersecurity and Information Assurance.
Cybercrimes are a very real risk to global economic security. A February 2018 report from McAfee estimates that they cost the world's economy as much as $600 billion every year. Earning a degree in cybersecurity can path the way to many career opportunities, because IT is a large field, and cybersecurity is quickly becoming a robust niche within it.
Even if you are not interested in IT or becoming a cybersecurity professional, staying safe online is very important. Here are some easy tips for those interested in staying safe online not just during Cybersecurity Awareness Month, but all year!
Create complex passwords.
Include capital letters, symbols, and numbers, so that the word or phrase is not easily guessed by hackers. This type of security protects you from online threats and physical ones in case someone tries to physically log in to one of your accounts. Additionally, try not to use the same password in multiple places—that makes you vulnerable to a widespread data breach. Keep your passwords unique!
Invest in security software.
There are many options out there, and to not show favoritism, we will not list them here. Do your research online and find the security that fits your needs and budget. That extra safety net when you are online can make a world of difference in the event that something happens.
Think before you click.
Especially when it comes to emails, be careful what you click. At the end of the day, you need to remain vigilant, and if you receive an email from someone - even someone you know - but the verbiage is off, the email address looks different, or the request is odd, don’t click anything! The same is true for web pages. If something looks like it could take you to an unsecured location, stay away. This is also where security software can help.
Be selective about sharing .
In the streaming age, online shopping age, and do-everything-online age, it is easy to want to share your login and password with people. Far be it from us to tell you who to share your information with, but, be warned. Once your passwords are out there, they are out there. So, try to keep track of the people who know your information.
