Meeting Recap Jan 22 - Speaker Mike Alifano

 
Nightmare on Internet Street 
 
Mike Alifano updated us on current psyber security issues as well as some basic precautions.  
 
Here are a few of his salient suggestions:
  • Don’t click unless you’re “sure”—don’t click on a link in an email unless you are absolutely sure of the sender.  Also consider going to the website directly, without the link, just in case. 
  • Consider using a password safe—a program that stores your passwords.  You just need to remember one password (to the “safe”).  “One Password” is a good program. 
  • Don’t use the same password for multiple uses.
  • Be aware when putting in your password—can someone see your keystrokes, could someone be recording you—survey your surroundings first.
  • Don’t use your debit card PIN for anything else.
  • When setting up a password, use alpha and numeric characters, not just numbers.
  • Our phones have so much sensitive information now, have contingencies.  Consider software to find your phone if it is lost or stolen, you can even remotely lock it.  Do you have a back up for your contacts?  Are passwords and account numbers stored on it? 
  • Before turning in a phone (broken or trade-in), make sure the data is deleted.  Phone companies may not do this for you. 
  • Same for other electronic devices, wipe them before turning disposing of them and don’t just leave them at Mike’s back door.  Mike will wipe them, but don’t leave it unattended.
  • Don’t respond to phony “update” emails from your financial institution and others.  Go directly to the website if you want to check information like updates or invoice tracking. UPS tracking?  Go to the UPS website, don’t click on the link.
  • Don’t succumb to the virus scan scams.  They send you emails offering free scans—don’t fall for it.  Do get a legitimate virus scanning program and use it.
  • Don’t open zip files that are emailed to you.
  • Open PDF files only from trusted sources.
 
Ransom ware encrypts your drive so you can’t access it.  You then a ransom request—“if you want access to your data, pay us $1,000”.  Cloud back up is a good contingency for this.  Good storage practices and password security are also important. 
 
Great Mike quote “you’re more vulnerable if you’re not aware”.  So, next time you’re tempted to simply click on a link as a quick shortcut, think of Mike and his invoice for fixing the mess you get yourself into.