Personal Security FAQs

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1. What is the best way to avoid my computer from being hacked or gotten into?

   • Use an Antivirus, Don't download files from sketchy websites

2. How do I get a secure password?

   • use not very common words and random phrases

     1. ex. chilledComputerCheese

3. Should I log out every time I leave my PC?

   • If you in a public place and are going out of site from your PC, then at least lock it just to be safe

4. How do I know what websites to trust and what websites to not trust?

   • Check to see if they have the following

     1. a "contact us" page

     2. a banner

     3. see when it was last updated

     4. check in the URL box and see if on the far left there is a lock.

5. What do I do when my computer is getting ransomware?

   • Don't pay the ransom.

   • Change all of your passwords

1. What can I do to make my password stronger and/or more memorable?

Make it strong, using letters both uppercase and lowercase, and long, using passphrases to allow for more guessing/trial and error on the opposite party's side. This can also be thwarted by changing your password diligently to stronger versions or completely revamped passwords/phrases

2. What types of passwords can protect my account the best

Encrypted passwords provide the best security and long/strong passwords also add to the complexity

3. What plans should I have to protect my information

Use website orientated alerts for unrecognized logins and enable two-step authentication, these are both good ways to keep unauthorized intruders from accessing your account, while also allowing time to change passwords

4. What information is safe to be shared online

Information that's not giving out too many Particulars about yourself, such as relationships, addresses, emails, and other online contacts, Phone number excluded. It is also a fair measure to restrict those who can see and comment on your posts, the recommended people being friends and family only. Be aware of posts you wish to be tagged in and restrict who can search for you and who can follow you.

5. Is it a good idea to customize my Social Media and Privacy settings?

Yes, as more personal information provides security. Just be aware of the people who are aware of this information, as well as the personal information shared online

6. Is it safe to use fingerprint recognition, retina scan, and facial recognition

It is useful but one must realize that if the information is compromised that will lead to more risk to one's personal information. Two step authentication is a safe and a non-self compromising way to increase security to a account

7. Instead of what passwords to use, what passwords shouldn’t I use?

Passwords should be long, complex, and easy to remember, more specifically for you. You also want to stay away from common passwords that are found on the 1000 most commonly used passwords. Do not use ‘password’, 1234(678) and single words as passwords, as they lack security

1. How do I know when emails are attempting to scam me?

If they have many grammatical errors, promising things that may be too good to be true, emailers attempting to pretend to be something that they are not, wanting to give you a large sum of money, and other things may be sign of scams or phishing.

2. Should I just use random letters, numbers, and symbols in my password?

No, because a random sequence of those items may be very difficult to remember. The sequence may be short too which makes it a lot easier for brute force hackers to get into your account. Instead, it would be better to use a phrase that you can remember easily along with numbers and symbols.

3. What happens if I want people to see where I am at?

It is extremely safe to show your current location online, where you regularly go to, or where you live. This can expose you to people who might use this information against you or may try to hurt you in real life. The only time you can show your location is if only your close friends or relatives follow you and no one else can see this information.

4. How do I know to trust certain sites?

The easiest way of seeing if sites are secure if they contain https:// at the very beginning of their URL instead of http://. Other ways to tell are by fact checking from other sources to see if their investigators trust it.

5. I really want to share my password with my best friend. They will never give it to anyone else, so why shouldn't I give it to them?

If you share it with your friend, you run the risk of them telling others what it is and having your personal information found out. Events may occur where they may try to get back and you have to be prepared for that sort of thing to happen.