Loma Linda University Health is marking the 15th National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, an annual event each October that aims to ensure all Americans have the resources to stay safer and more secure online and to increase the country’s resilience against cyber-threats. The 2018 awareness month is a collaboration between government and industry.
Information Security Services at Loma Linda University Health is promoting to employees the 2018 theme — Cybersecurity is our shared responsibility and we all must work together to improve our nation’s cybersecurity.
“This October, and every day, follow these simple online safety tips provided by the Department of Homeland Security’s Stop.Think.Connect. campaign,” said Patrick Voon, chief information security officer at Loma Linda University Health. “We hope these tips will help keep you and your personal information safe and secure online.”
- Enable stronger authentication. Always enable stronger authentication for an extra layer of security beyond the password that is available on most major email, social media and financial accounts. Stronger authentication — for example, multi-factor authentication that texts a one-time code to a mobile device — helps verify that a user has authorized access to an online account. For more information about authentication, visit the Lock Down Your Login Campaign.
- Make your passwords long and strong. Use complex passwords with a combination of numbers, symbols and letters. Use unique passwords for different accounts, particularly between personal and work accounts. Change your passwords regularly, especially if you believe they have been compromised.
- Keep a clean machine. Update the security software, operating system and web browser on all of your Internet-connected devices. Keeping your security software up to date will prevent attackers from taking advantage of known technical flaws.
- When in doubt, throw it out. Links in email and online posts are often the method cybercriminals use to compromise your computer. If a link looks suspicious (even if you know the source), delete it.
Helpful infographic: Phishing Decision Tree.
- Share with care. Limit the amount of personal information you share online and use privacy settings to avoid sharing information widely.
- Secure your wi-fi network. Your home’s wireless router is the primary entrance for cybercriminals to access all of your connected devices. Secure your wi-fi network, and your digital devices, by changing the factory-set default password and username.
Learn more about the services provided by Information Security at Loma Linda University by reading this FAQ on One Portal.