As we turn another page on our 2024 calendar, we now find ourselves in October, which is recognized as Cybersecurity Awareness Month.
Unfortunately, hacking scams surround us, and we must remain vigilant as these schemes become more sophisticated with advances in technology. Some common schemes include simple phishing attempts that target large numbers of people and targeted techniques designed to infiltrate the finances and private information of corporations.
However, even marketplace scammers on social media who steal accounts from people are an ever-present concern, especially when you have a reputation and wealth to protect.
Being aware of and taking caution to avoid those dangers while navigating online are your first and best personal steps to getting serious about cybersecurity.
Getting Serious About Cybersecurity: Awareness First
Here are a few good practices to keep in mind to avoid falling victim to these scams:
- Email – Whenever you receive an email with an attachment or link, always verify the sender’s email address. If there is any discrepancy, do not click on any links or attachments. If you are confident it’s malicious, delete the email immediately from your computer or phone. If you’re unsure, pick up the phone and call the person or institution to verify its legitimacy. Always use the phone number on the institution’s official website, not the one provided in the email.
- Phone – If you receive any phone calls or text messages requesting personal information (e.g., SSN, birthdate, account numbers), proceed with caution, especially if the request seems urgent. Financial institutions typically will not contact you randomly to ask for such details without prior interaction. If you’re uncertain about the validity of the request, hang up and initiate a new call to the institution using their official number to verify if they actually need anything from you.
- Social Media – While it’s well known to keep sensitive information like your SSN, birthdate, middle name, or account numbers private on social platforms, many people are unaware of the dangers posed by seemingly innocent “codes” requested by buyers and sellers on online marketplaces. If someone asks for a code, stop the conversation immediately, block the person, and report them to the platform. These codes can give scammers access to your account, allowing them to exploit your credit information or make unauthorized purchases. They may even reach out to your contacts under your name, requesting money or assistance, or use your account to scam others.
Your Money, Your Life: Proactive Approaches to Security
While these are essential defensive measures, there are also several proactive steps you can take to strengthen your cybersecurity. Some examples include:
- Enable two-factor authentication on all your online accounts. This ensures that a code is sent to you via text or email whenever a login attempt is made.
- Use long, complex passwords that include a mix of lowercase and uppercase letters, numbers, and symbols. These can be difficult to remember, but there are excellent password management programs available to assist you.
- Create accounts with Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian to freeze your credit at all three credit bureaus. This prevents hackers from using your credit for malicious purposes. Keep in mind that you will need to “unfreeze” your credit if you need to apply for new credit in the future.
- Review and adjust your social media privacy settings regularly to limit the visibility of your personal information. Ensure that only trusted connections can view your personal posts, and be cautious about sharing details like your location, family information, or other sensitive data that could be exploited by cybercriminals.
Faithful Stewardship Requires Strong Protection
At Master’s, we take cybersecurity very seriously and have implemented several internal procedures and precautions to protect you. We partner with a cybersecurity firm that provides annual training to ensure our team stays informed about the latest technological threats in the industry.
Additionally, we have partnered with a large credit monitoring firm, EverSafe, to offer their services to our clients at no cost. If you are interested, please reach out to one of our team members to receive an invitational link to set up your account.
If you receive correspondence that you believe may be fraudulent or if you have fallen victim to an attack, our team at Master’s is here to help. We are committed to doing everything we can to ensure your protection.