Basic Online Safety

Phone, tablets, cameras, “smart” devices, etc. are ALL computers. These modern devices all use software, store data, and transmit and receive information. Just like your laptop or desktop computer all these devices can be compromised (hacked/infected) and all of the information they have can be stolen. This risk is lessened greatly if you take appropriate precautions. Change your mindset to think of all your devices as computers and give them the same attention you would your computer.

Things you should consider to protect yourself:

    • Updates - get from the manufacturer directly, check often
      • OS, Browser, any software/device
      • If it no longer offers updates (too old like XP) spend the money to upgrade
    • Anti Virus (AV)
      • I use AVG, but any will do. Use on computer and phone!
    • Ad Blocker - some ads are malicious and can infect you
      • I use AdBlockPlus but most will do
    • Backups - then you will care less that they locked (cryptolocker) your PC, you can reformat!
      • I use Carbonite
    • Software/Plug Ins
      • Occasionally audit your browser plugins and installed software, remove what you don’t need/use
    • VPN-sometimes your work has one, have a personal one too! Buy a year worth, keep installed and boot up when not home.
    • Use Incognito / anonymous mode in browsers
      • Ad bits/cookies that follow you around
    • Passwords - ALWAYS change if it comes with a default password (router, device)
      • I use LastPass, Another popular one is 1Password
      • Two factor Authentication (you can use an application like Google Authenticator if you don’t text)
      • https://xkcd.com/936/ image below

Methods they use to get your data/you

    • Spyware/Adware/Ransomeware/etc
      • sometimes they want to break your stuff, but mostly they want to steal things they can sell, or encrypt things and sell back to you
      • maybe they just want to get data about you to use later (steal identity, guess password, call your CC co and impersonate you)
        • Locking social media up, i.e. Facebook settings, otherwise they can use that data (birthday, address)
    • Phone Scam / Text message scam / Email Scam
      • IRS
      • Lottery
      • Power Company
      • Police
      • Rich Relative
      • Donation
      • Password Reset
      • Locked Account
      • Virus
      • Etc… Anything offering you free things, winning prizes, keep the balance of a check written for too much
    • Pop Up Scam
      • Something wrong download to fix! (phone and laptop)
    • Free phone chargers (sync stop)
    • Don't click on stuff you don't recognize, no matter how official it looks... don't trust anyone that calls on the phone about your computer.

If something fishy happens, don’t click! Shut down (use ctrl+alt+del to be safe on a computer) then run anti-virus scan right away and call the direct public number if it seems legitimate.

Did you know?

    • EXIF / picture data - tell social media to strip it! It gives away location & device information
    • Yellow lock - make sure your browser is HTTPS
    • Don't trust sites with Expired certificates (your browser usually warns you)
    • Everything lives forever, even if you don't’ send (FB)
    • Nothing to hide? Everyone is a criminal
    • TOR now makes you a target
    • Reserve image matching (tin eye https://www.tineye.com/ )
    • Don't post pictures ANYWHERE that you would have a hard time explaining to your children, grandchildren, significant other, current employer, future employers, FBI agents…