Four Ways To Stay Cyber Safe

Protecting yourself online doesn’t have to be complicated. A few simple habits can reduce your risk of falling victim to cybercrime. These simple steps will help shield your personal information, protect your online accounts, and keep your devices secure.

1. Use long, unique, and complex passwords. Your passwords are the first line of defense between a criminal and your sensitive information. Here’s how to have amazing passwords:

- Every password should be a reasonable length. Long passwords can significantly overwhelm password-cracking programs. Use a random mix of letters, numbers, and symbols.

- Every account needs a unique password. Unfortunately, making small changes like adding numbers or switching out an S with a $ doesn’t count as a unique password.

- If you’re wondering how to manage so many unique, long passwords, the answer is a password manager! There are many free, secure options. Password managers are the safest way to store your passwords.

2. Enable multifactor authentication, or MFA. MFA adds an extra security layer by requiring something more than just your password to log in. Think of it as using two locks on your digital door instead of only one. This could be:

- A one-time code sent to your phone

- A biometric scan like a fingerprint scan or FaceID

- A physical security key

MFA is available in SmartHub under Settings > Two-Factor Authentication. You can choose to receive an email or text message or use a code-generating app. Never share MFA codes with anyone — only scammers will ask for MFA codes.

3. Keep software updated. Software updates don’t just bring new features. They often fix security flaws that criminals exploit. It usually takes a few minutes, but updates are worth it. Butler Rural Electric Cooperative takes keeping software and devices updated a priority and works hard to make sure this happens. Here are some tips to keep your devices safe:

- Turn on automatic updates for your devices and apps. You can usually find these options in Settings.

- Don’t click Remind Me Later — install updates promptly for your operating systems, browsers, antivirus tools, and apps.

- Remember your phones, smartwatches, and tablets are computers, so keep these devices updated as well!

4. Look out for phishing and scams. Phishing remains the most common online threat. Criminals send fake emails, texts, or social media messages to trick you into revealing sensitive information or clicking malicious links. These messages aim to get you to click before you think by playing on your emotions. Scammers will even call you! Here’s how to look out for phishing and scams:

- Be highly skeptical of unexpected messages, especially those urging immediate action or asking for personal details.

- Phishing emails can light up positive emotions (“You’ve won our sweepstakes!”) or negative ones (“You’ve been hacked!”).

- Don’t click suspicious links or download unexpected attachments.

- Report phishing attempts to your email provider, social media platform, or the organization it appears the phishing email is from.

- If you’re unsure if a message is legit, ask a friend, family member, or someone you trust. A second set of eyes can be invaluable in spotting scams.

- Butler Rural Electric Cooperative employees are trained to spot phishing emails and scams. Through this training, we work hard to keep your information safe.