Stop, Think, Connect -#lockdownURlogin

Friends Newsletter April 2017 Decluttering Your Digital Life Start fresh this spring – online and offline. In addition to the traditional tasks on your spring cleaning list like tidying the closet and washing the windows, take time to create a “digital spring cleaning” list as well. What exactly does a “digital spring cleaning” entail? A digital spring cleaning means taking control of your digital life and the information that you share online. Similar to regular cleaning or tidying one’s home, it might seem like a daunting task at first. In reality, just a few simple steps can make a big difference in helping protect yourself online. The Department of Homeland Security recommends that you incorporate these cyber tips into your spring cleaning routine this year. Clean your machine. Update the security software on all of your devices that connect to the Internet.  Keeping the software on your devices up to date will prevent attackers from taking advantage of known vulnerabilities. Also review the applications you have downloaded. If you no longer use a particular app, delete it. It’ll not only free up storage space on your device, but it will also remove permissions that app has to potentially gather your information.  Turn on multi-factor authentication. Enable stronger authentication on your online banking and email accounts. Turning on a two-factor authentication, such as a PIN sent to your mobile device, helps verify a user has authorized access to an account. For more information about authentication, visit the Lock Down Your Login Campaign at www.lockdownyourlogin.com. Decluttering Your Digital Life How Much Do You Know About the Basics of Cybersecurity? BGCA Conference Recap Cyber Quiz Take Your Child to Work Day Ready-to-Use Social Media Posts Office of Personnel Management’s (OPM) CyberCareers.gov  Cybercareers.gov is a new resource from OPM that helps hiring managers by providing recruiting and compensation resources, recruiting tools that help automate cyber position descriptions, and information on employing students as well as veterans. The website is also a great tool for individuals looking to find a job as a cybersecurity professional. Find out more at www.CyberCareers.gov.

Tidy your online reputation. Review your social media accounts and delete old photos or posts that may no longer represent who you are. As you go through your online posts, think about how they might influence others’ opinions of you. Also take the time to review the privacy settings on your online accounts. Take advantage of the privacy settings offered by major online apps and websites by limiting the amount of people who can see the information you share. Visit and download the National Cyber Security Alliance’s “Digital Spring Cleaning Checklist” for more steps to clean up your online life. For more tips on how to stay safe online, please visit the Department of Homeland Security’s Stop.Think.Connect. Campaign at www.dhs.gov/stopthinkconnect. Stoo,Think,Connect - Declutter your digital life

Business Watch Tip, "Stop Think Connect" - Ransomeware Facts & Tips

FTC: Scam - “I have an emergency and need money”

Federal Trade Commission:   “I have an emergency and need money”

April 13, 2017, by Jennifer Leach               

Assistant Director, Division of Consumer and Business Education

If you’ve ever gotten one of those calls, you know how alarming they can be. And that’s exactly what the scammers count on. They want you to act before you think – and acting always includes sending them money: by wiring it or by getting a prepaid card or gift card, and giving them the numbers on the card. Either way, your money’s gone.

Here’s the story of Pablo Colón from Bridgeport, Connecticut, and his family. When both his sister and his father got a call about a family “emergency,” Pablo spotted the scam. And, luckily for the good people of Bridgeport, Pablo’s family owns a radio station – so he put the story on the air and warned his community.

Talking about a scam is important – even if only one person is listening, instead of the thousands who heard Pablo’s story. So watch this video. And then pass it on. Today, tell someone about this scam, about Pablo’s story, about why we should all talk about the about the scams we see.

And, whenever you spot a scam, please tell the FTC.

FTC Video message