(Chelsea Update would like to thank Chelsea State Bank for the information in this story.)
In times like these, where people have a higher online presence than ever before due to the pandemic, cybersecurity has never been more important.
October was National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, so we will talk about the importance of computer security when it comes to your kids. Learn how to keep your family cyber safe.
We will also discuss the newest phone scam that has been circulating.
Keep your Family Cyber Safe:
The safety of your online experience is extremely important, especially when it comes to your children. It is so important to have open communication with your kids about cybersecurity.
Here are a few things you can do to make sure your family is cyber safe:
- Have open communication about cybersecurity. Teach your family how to spot unusual online activities and explain the importance of telling you about it
- Explain to your kids that there is some information we just don’t share. This would include your full name, address and phone number
- Watch out for phishing. Warn them not to click on links in emails and in social media messages. You, as an adult, may know not to click on a suspicious link, but does your whole household know that?
- Adjust privacy settings. Block unwanted programs, have controls for when they can go online and monitor all online activities
- Check your family’s devices every so often to be sure locations are turned off and social media account settings are set to private
- Keep your software updated
- Be in the know when it comes to what apps your kids are using. Become familiar with what these apps do and what type of information they collect
Phone Scam Claiming to be your Financial Institution:
The department of Insurance and Financial Services issued a press release this month urging people to beware of a common phone scam. Victims of this phone scam receive a call or text from scammers (typically from a number that appears to be a legitimate number) claiming to be their financial institution.
The primary goal is to gain access to your accounts and steal funds. Scammers will tell you there is an issue with your account, and try to get you to “verify who you are” by asking you account credentials and personal information.
The scammer then uses that information to log into your online account and initiate transfers.
Always remember these 3 tips to avoid these types of scams:
- Never give personal or account information to anyone calling you.
- When in doubt, hang up and call the phone number that you know will get you to someone who can be trusted at the bank.
- Use multifactor authentication measures in addition to strong passwords.
To read the full press release given by the DIFS please click the link below:
https://www.michigan.gov/difs/0,5269,7-303-13222_13250-570409–,00.html
