Adrian Johnson
TLDR:
- Cyber-attacks are becoming more common, with 2,200 occurring daily.
- Experts recommend avoiding common mistakes like using the same pin for your phone lock screen and bank, leaving Bluetooth on 24/7, leaving Wi-Fi networks unprotected, hitting unsubscribe on spam emails, and clicking on random ads.
Every day more people fall victim to cyber-attacks, with a startling 2,200 attacks happening daily according to Astra Security. To prevent becoming a target, cyber security experts advise taking specific safety measures. Some of the mistakes to avoid include using the same pin for your phone lock screen as your bank, keeping Bluetooth on at all times, leaving Wi-Fi networks and routers unprotected, hitting unsubscribe on unsolicited spam, and clicking on random ads.
To stay cyber smart, it is crucial to have strong passwords that are at least 16 characters long, turn on multifactor authentication, and ensure that the operating system is always up to date. If you do get hacked, disconnect your device from the internet immediately, change all your passwords, monitor your financial information closely, and report the incident to the FBI at www.fbi.gov.
The National Council on Aging warns that older adults are often targeted by hackers, so it’s essential to assist elderly loved ones with implementing these safety steps. By being proactive and following these guidelines, individuals can better protect themselves from falling victim to cyber-attacks.
