Your reasons for deleting Instagram can be numerous but there are a few steps and some considerations to make before pressing the big red button. If you’ve been listening to the previous episodes about deleting social media accounts, it should come to no surprise that pressing the delete button only starts the process rather than instantly remove your account. What’s also worth noting is that since Instagram is owned by Facebook, there are two options that Instagram has: deactivation and deletion. Deactivation of course means that your data will still be lingering around and Instagram can still use it to sell you stuff. Some other considerations to keep in mind is that you are unable  to get access to your photos, videos, likes, comments, followers, and posts. The exception is if you deactivate your account which you’ll be able to recover that data should you reactivate your account. The other consideration to make is that when you delete your Instagram account you can’t sign up using the same username or email address again. Much like Twitter, you can change your handle at any time too so no worries there if you plan on coming back. The final consideration is to make note that you can always turn your account private. If your concern is restricting who can see your content, but are torn on staying or leaving, this could provide the best of both worlds. To delete your Instagram account is a simple process. It all starts by logging in and going to your settings and going to the delete page. Once there, you’ll need to provide a reason, your username and password. After that, you’ll need to re-enter your password and start the process. If you don’t want to delete your account and prefer to deactivate it the process is similar. Go to your profile and click edit profile. In there, you should have an option to temporarily disable your account which is at the bottom of that page. Just like with deleting your account, you’ll need to re-enter your password and provide a reason as well. To reactivate your account is as simple as logging back in.

Synthetic Snake Oil: Online Security Tips

DP83 Deleting Instagram - Considerations And Steps

Unlike Facebook, Twitter is an incredibly straightforward process when deleting your account. Your reasons for deletion can vary but to delete a Twitter account all you need to do is go to your settings and at the bottom of the page there is an option to deactivate your account. There are a few other steps like entering your username and password again but that’s a safety measure. What’s more important is the considerations revolving around your Twitter account. First off, like Facebook, you can stop the deletion process by logging into your account within 30 days of pressing the deactivation button. But even after deactivating your account, people can still find your account and previous tweets. This suggests that while you no longer have an account, your information is still on the internet for a lot longer. So if you deleted your account to remove specific tweets, you might be better off finding the tweets in question and deleting them directly. Secondly, after you delete your account, you have no opportunity to rejoin Twitter using the same account. What this means is you can’t use the same username nor can you use the same email address. So if you ever plan on coming back to Twitter make sure to change the email address and username of your main account if you have plans of coming back. Naturally if you come back using a new account you won’t have the old tweets, followers, images, or lists. The final consideration I’ll make is if your reason for deleting your account is to change your username, don’t bother about deleting your account. In one of the warning bullets that Twitter has before you start the deletion process reads that you can change your handle automatically. Twitter has made it possible for people to therefore change their usernames on the fly with no worries at all.

DP82 Deleting Twitter - Considerations And Steps

Over the years Facebook has done a lot of questionable things. There’s been the 2016 scandal with Cambridge Analytica and more recently Facebook has admitted that it’s been used as a disinformation tool and allowed people to run fake political ads meant to sway voters. On top of that, Facebook has turned into a tool where a lot of information is passed around and Facebook is profiting from it in a big way. It’s to the point that people are uneasy, or angry at Facebook and want to delete their account. While those feelings are certainly warranted, Facebook has not made it easy for us users to delete our account. First of all, Facebook has two methods for us to remove ourselves from Facebook: deactivation and deletion. And while you’d think both of those options are the same there is a huge difference. Deactivation is the process which opens up the possibility of you coming back with all your data intact. Deletion is the process of permanently removing your data from Facebook and is a time-consuming process. It’s also worth noting if you deactivate your Facebook account, Facebook makes all of that data available, even if you never return. That means Facebook still profits from your data even though you’re not using it. Naturally Facebook pushes the deactivation feature more over permanently deleting your Facebook page, but to delete your Facebook account requires a bit of digging. First you click on the arrow in the top right corner and click on Settings. From there click Your Facebook Information followed by Deactivation and Deletion and the Delete Account and follow the steps there. The steps are simple, but that only starts the deletion process. Facebook doesn’t immediately delete your Facebook account. According to their data policy, if you log in within 30 days you can cancel the process. On top of that it’ll take upwards of 90 days for the process to be fully complete. Even after 30 days of the account being deleted you can somehow log into that old account which makes no sense. Some other considerations to have before deleting are the fact that you can’t get access to your photos, videos, and messages. You’ll no longer be able to use Facebook Messenger, and some information will still be visible even after you delete your account. Most of that data is messages you sent to people at the time. That being said, retrieving the data can be salvaged if you consider Facebook’s back up feature. We’ll be seeing similar themes through the other social media platforms when it comes to account deletion.

DP81 Deleting Facebook - Considerations And Steps

Are you the type of person who has a smartphone crammed with various apps that you don’t use? Or are you the kind of person who will delete apps after you’ve grown bored of them? Whatever the case is, I bet when it comes to delete those ancient apps that all you do is move the icon to the trash or tap on the x in the corner and purge it from your memory. But for right now, I want you to go back and think back to those apps you deleted. Because how you deleted those apps was all wrong. In many cases with apps, you have likely left an entire account on there: an email address, and maybe a connection to your Google or Facebook account and even a date of birth. Personal data that can be easily taken even though you have removed the app. The reality is that whenever we decide to remove apps from either our phone or computer, there is still data lingering. Yes, whenever you delete apps you are removing all the data you had on that app and it won’t collect any more. However the data that was used to give you access is still on a virtual cloud collecting dust somewhere. In cases where no login data is needed or other personal information, you’re safe to delete it with no worries. However not all apps are like that. They want date of birth, locations, details to various questions and potentially more. The thing is though that app developers will keep that information unless you tell them to delete it. Why they do this is obvious. Apps are all about gathering information so they can provide convenient functions for you. So why they hold onto your data after deleting the app isn’t for malicious reasons. What their true intentions are stems from revenue. As you know, app developers can make money by selling the information to various advertisers which in turn will target you with various adds. All of this stuff is outlined in apps privacy policies, though they mention it in the most roundabout way. And so if you decide to only delete the app, the app developers can still sell that information in the event that you needed personal info in order to use their app. I don’t know about you, but that’s more than enough reason to let them know you want your account details removed when you go to delete an app.

DP80 Do not uninstall old apps - Delete the account also

From having a Virtual Private Network to taking extra measures with two-factor authentication, one might think that I’m a bit paranoid about security. I’m sure it’s pretty obvious since some of my advice in previous episodes has been teetering on the edge of saying to never trust anyone outside of your immediate circle ever again. It may sound like that, but what I’m suggesting is that people do take some measures to better secure themselves. To have some level of paranoia can provide some distinct benefits in terms of cybersecurity. For one, the Internet is massive and has provided all kinds of opportunities. Some of them are good, but in some cases it’s really bad. As I’ve said before there have been countless breaches and all kinds of information is placed at risk as a result of those breaches. A lot of people’s virtual identities have been demolished due to people and companies disregards to privacy or exercising security measures. Second, while being paranoid is often seen as a negative thing, the idea of being a little paranoid can keep you on edge. And that level of uncomfortableness can pay off drastically. Yes, it’s not seen as a good state of mind on the surface, but it can help you to exercise caution and take measures into your own hand. It’s why I recently talked about why it’s worth seriously considering other more advanced security measures. After all, there is a good chance that even secure sites will get breached and you’ll need to find ways to protect yourself. The final argument I have for why paranoia helps us is that it’s another security measure in of itself. As I’ve suggested above, being cautious of things around us will push us to be more proactive. We will consider advice like tightening up our security further rather than brush it off. In a sense this also changes our overall approach to relationships. We place barriers up and in a sense that can enhance relationships as it takes more effort for us to trust people. My point is that while paranoia can be blown out of proportion, having some of it in our lives can help us in many cases. It forces us to look at our security, but also the relationships that we have. We can assess the quality of certain measures and have second thoughts on our actions and who we trust. So stay paranoid, it may come in handy sometime.

DP79 Why Paranoia about Cybersecurity Works

Another security measure I’ve talked about is two-factor authentication. Paired up with a Virtual Private Network (VPN), you’ll have a tighter security than most people. But while there’s been a lot of talk of two factor authentication, this technology is not really anything new. This technology has been around for a long time but is now coming to the surface because of the number of attacks and breaches we’ve gone through. Both on a business and individual level. So why are people talking about this technology? Well what I mentioned above is part of the reason, but it’s also worth looking at other considerations. First the one-factor authentication method is questionable. This the typical provide a password and a username. It’s easy and convenient, but on a cybersecurity standpoint it has many drawbacks. A password as we’ve seen is as strong as how we make it. If it’s an obvious password, people will crack it. Even if your password is a bunch of mixed numbers and letters, if you use the same password across multiple sites, people can access a lot of information if they ever crack it. What’s also worse is that many sites offer convenience by allowing users to click on the “keep me logged in” button. This too is convenient but poses dangers as that action stores a cookie on your computer with that information. This makes it easier for hackers to get into your computer and get access to all of the passwords. The second consideration is as the name suggests, a two factor authentication provides another layer of security. It can be displayed in three ways:Through knowledge: something only you know like a username and password.Through possession: something you have on your person physically. Examples are security token, your phone, a PIN, or a card.Through inherence: another physical attribute to yourself. A fingerprint or another biometric trait. The final considerations is the ample of benefits that two factor authentication provides. Outside of the additional layer of security, businesses and individuals can get other benefits like: More productivity and flexibility: While you do have to go through an extra step to get access to anything, what step you have to take is up to you. Not only that but knowing that the site or network is more protected can ensure you fill it with sensitive information.It lowers costs: On a business level having two-factor authentication can cut costs in tech support and help desks. Why? Because most of the calls to those areas stem from password resets. With two factor authentication, it’s easy to use other measures of gaining access to other areas outside of a password and usernames. For individuals, this measure can block out hackers and others who could take advantage of you by cracking passwords.Lowers fraud: And naturally a two-factor authentication will make it tougher for hackers to get into your accounts and commit fraud or identity theft. Because of these distinct aspects and perks, it’s well worth considering tightening up your security in this fashion.

DP78 Why Consider Two-Factor Authentication

One of the best decisions that you can make to protect yourself when browsing the internet is using a VPN: a Virtual Private Network. I’ve mentioned this here and there in some of my strategies but have yet to explain them and just how powerful these are. For starters, VPN technology all started when people wanted to protect their online activities and to maintain online confidentiality. Because of this goal, VPN is the precise answer to that desire and thus it’s built specifically for that purpose. From this, it’s easy to see where you can get a VPN. That is through several businesses online that provide this tool. As soon as you buy it though, you’ll notice a lot of other distinct advantages. Here are some of them. Firstly you’ll have enhanced security. A VPN’s job is to encrypt data and keep secure and it does that extremely well. But some other advantages you might not have thought of are things like remote control and the ability to share files. Companies can get a VPN and use that store information that can be accessed remotely. On top of that you can share data for extended periods of time. It’s kind of like having your own personal cloud you can access in certain places and share it with whomever. Another advantage is that you can bypass filters and unblock websites. If for some reason you were blocked by a website, a VPN allows you to bypass that. The same applies to Internet filters. This isn’t so common on the West, but this gets a lot of use in Eastern countries where censorship is rampant. As an extra measure you can even change your IP address to another country. And finally, having a VPN will also improve efficiency and bandwidth of the network. Not only that, but it can also reduce costs too. By default, VPNs are not that expensive to maintain. And if you look to a service provider, you won’t have to worry about constant surveillance or setup. A VPN is great for those who want more security and to protect themselves from hackers. By having a good VPN, you’ll not only improve your security, but also your overall internet experience.

DP77 Advantages of Virtual Private Networks

Even if people are staying on top of fraud, it doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen. Over the world, people are losing millions every year from these scams. Fortunately, there are many practical ways for us to work around these scammers. As a general rule, never give out money or personal details to an unexpected request through any medium. As I mentioned last episode, scammers will do anything to make their pitch seem believable and to get people to act quickly without thinking.Second tip is to do online searches. While the scammer is talking to you, they’ll scam you through various ways. Some of it can be selling products, services, investment opportunities, or may drop a company name. Make a point of searching the name of those items or company. You can also search their number to see if other people in the past complained about that number.Third is to not believe in caller ID. While people see that as a helpful feature in the past, scammers have used it now to mask who they are to appear believable. Don’t fall for it and make a point of hanging up if you answer and they start asking for money or personal details. If you think they are telling the truth, use a genuine number.Fourth is to exercise caution when dealing with people you meet online. Scammers use all kinds of websites to mask themselves. Take some time to get to know them and don’t give them your trust fully. Again scammers want you to trust them and that is the key to them conning you.Finally, whenever you’re making purchases online, make sure the site you are going to is secure. That means it has the https at the beginning  or is identified by a lock. But don’t settle with that. As I mentioned before, do some online searches, look at reviews and dig in deep. Remember, scammers get caught when we don’t act on our impulses and consider things thoroughly. Exercise caution with phone calls, do some research, and gain control of the conversation by taking things slow.  

DP76 How to Avoid Fraud Scams

From my last episode I mentioned the recent jury duty scam and we are handling these scams better. This much is true when you look at some of the statistics from the past two years revolving around scams. What the biggest money maker was for scammers last year was pertaining to bogus investments. This scam was where scammers promote false or misleading opportunities that offer insanely high returns. I could be going on about the various scams but you can kind of see a pattern here. While the amount of money is definitely frightening, the number of victims is smaller. It is noted that more and more people were becoming aware and reporting more complaints. But in my eyes progress is progress and like I said last episode, the fact more people are calling fraud centers is a good step forward. However this isn’t a reason to be complacent. If there is anything we’ve learned about the jury duty scam calls is that scammers are refining their pitches, using more technology to make these pitches more believable. Scammers are aware of top security questions and spend time researching people and no doubt have put together a sort of file on you based on what they’ve found. That information is stuff they collect over the years and is highly valued. So much like a marathon, don’t stop right now and keep going. It’s a long battle, but at the end, the training and the diligence will pay off in the long run.

DP75 There is Hope for Scam Awareness

The familiar scam now has a new twist. Instead of receiving false emails that you’ve been summoned to court for your “misdeeds”, the calls now focus on the fact that you missed jury duty for an important case. Earlier in November, the Court of Queen’s Bench of Alberta in Canada issued a warning that people were receiving these automated phone calls pertaining to this particular scam. Darryl Reuther issued the warning stating “What we want people to know is that under no circumstances does the court ever conduct robocalls or automated phone calls for any purpose.” He goes on to say “If you receive one of these robocalls relating to jury duty, or an allegation you’ve failed to appear in response to a summons for jury duty, that is a scam and is not a call from the Court of Queen’s Bench of Alberta.” But this new scam isn’t only in Alberta. Reuther noted that this scam has been appearing elsewhere seeing as the courts there have posted a similar warning to this one. Another interesting aspect though is that at no point is there a prompt for money. Comparing to those familiar emails about being accused of something, the demand for money was pretty clear. In the case of these automated calls no such request was there. Though Reuther’s theory is that once you make contact with whoever set up the robocall, that’s likely where money will start being asked. The caller is banking on that people would get flustered and wanted to argue with the “court” that the accusation is unfounded. If you receive any of these calls, hang up and report these calls to an anti-fraud center. Regardless of the situation, how this scam is handled was significantly better than the past. And while that pushes scammers to be craftier, it also means that people are catching on to how much of an impact these nefarious tactics cost.

DP74 Fraudulent Jury Duty Calls

Cybersecurity is a joint responsibility. It’s like a chain where it’s only as strong as the weakest link in that chain. As such, you want to make an effort in keeping security tight and staying up with trends and potential security threats. With that in mind, here are some tips to keep in mind for various scenarios. One tip is to have a run over of various cybersecurity terms. This is particularly geared towards kids who frequent social media often and that trend isn’t dying down any time soon. This is important because as we’ve learned social media isn’t as solid as we thought it was so it’s key to stay up to date with all kinds of trends. Examples of things to cover are things terms like catphishing (people posing as a trusted individual to lure kids into doing something they shouldn’t), and spoof ads and polls. Also talking about the implications on posting personal data like current location and how that can be a threat to personal privacy. Another area to cover is general mobile security. A lot of people have smartphones or have access to one. Therefore learning about this can be helpful too. Topics to cover are: SMiShing - That’s text/message phishing. Cover how to identify it and what to do.Apps - Discuss safe app choices and reinforce the importance of reviewing apps and getting them from verifiable sources. Also oversee app choices too.Messaging apps - overlook messaging chat groups, especially if your child is younger. On older children, tell them about the potential threats of new people joining messaging groups.Bluetooth/AirDrop (or other sharing connections) - Reinforce the habit of keeping them on when you’re using them and only turn them off when not in use.Public WiFi - Talk about Virtual Private Networks and why they’re important. One other topic to cover is smart toys. Now smart toys have gotten a bad rep lately with many exposing private data to the public. Needless to say, there still needs to be some tweaks to them. That being said, it’s not going to stop people from getting them. In this area, I’d exercise caution and do some digging first. When considering smart toys, consider the following: Ensure the manufacturer has both security and privacy policies in place.When you have the toy, turn if off when you’re not using it.If the manufacturer allows it, change the default password to something else.Check your home router and make sure it’s secure. If you can, have the router with two-factor authentication The final is discussing identity theft. Even if the average kid isn’t wealthy and depends on their parents, it doesn’t mean they are immune to identity theft. Teaching kids to be cautious and to identify online and offline threats is important. Of note discuss the following topics: Password hygiene - the benefits of changing a password regularly and talking about the dangers of sharing passwords with others.Phishing - the different kinds of phishing and how to identify them.Monitor - whenever you can, keep on eye on the accounts that children have access to. Keep an eye especially on bank accounts. There are all kinds of ways for us to better protect ourselves. But teaching our kids these important lessons can help to breed better habits for them on security. On top of that, these tips are also good for any person. Learning about these areas will also reinforce children to pick up these habits as well.

DP73 Cybersecurity Tips for Parents and Kids

The purpose of training employees on cybersecurity is to alter habits and behaviors around certain circumstances. When you are training people, keeping them informed is one thing, but there are other tactics we can employ to ensure they get the training they need. One way to ensure this information sinks in for people is to consider these tactics for all employees. First, make the training mandatory for all new employees regardless of department or job description. You want to be creating awareness of online threats and that awareness needs to start on day one. As part of the initiation process, slip a cybersecurity course in there and ensure it covers all the key topics. Topics like data protection, internet usage, and other topics like reporting threats. Have all of these in an employee handbook. The second practice is to update and repeat training often. People don’t learn once and they’re done. In order for information to stick, you need to repeat the information on a regular basis. Learning is as much of a habit as us checking our phone first thing in the morning. How you want to cover that material again is up to you. Quiz people, set up surveys, having regular discussions, or go through the program all over again. There are all kinds of methods to consider. But on top of keeping up the training regularly, you also want to be updating the programs too. Remember that hackers are always working on finding various ways to attack people. As such, you want to make sure your information is recent and current to today's trends. The last practice is to give employees authority. That doesn’t mean promoting them on the spot or anything, but rather elevating them and letting them know how important they are. After all, employees are the very first line of defense for any security system. So by getting employee support, and making cybersecurity a core element of your culture, you can better defend against it. In order for that to happen incorporate games to keep people engaged, highlight security training achievements, and provide learning management systems which give employees the power to control their learning. And when there are threats coming that could present problems, issue company-wide emails. Let people know how much their training is going to help them in defending the company. Having strong firewalls, and antivirus software is good, but they’re only as good as the people who use the devices. Improve your employee’s training in this area and you’ll see a tighter security with the company.

DP72 Three Best Practices for Cybersecurity Training

It’s easy to convince people to consider cybersecurity training. If people don’t know how to recognize breaches or threats, how can you expect them to avoid them, report them or remove them? They won’t be able to. As I’ve said in the past a lot of breaches typically stem massively from people. From weak passwords, misplacing devices or leaving computers in public areas, employees are a strong source of attacks. That’s not to say employees are all conspiring to bring business down, but all of the breaches are reminders that strong technology is only as powerful as the people who use it. But the question now is what exactly should employees be trained on? Well I’ve put together a short list of what needs to be known and some key points on the subject. First is to recognize the forms of cybersecurity threats. If you want people to spot them, they’re going to need to know what to look for. Fortunately you don’t need to go into extensive training on the various viruses out there. However it’s key for people to know the basics. What you want to be highlighting is informing people on spam, phishing, malware, ransomware, and social engineering. For these topics include examples, videos, and tips to prevent these sorts of attacks. Second is to cover password security. We need passwords for everything these days and it’s important for us to make the password complex rather than easy to crack. Talk about how important passwords are and that they’re the first line of defense. Third is discussing policies on email, internet, and social media use. Browsing habits can leave companies open to various malicious software if they’re not careful. Talk about why policies are important and why specific rules are placed in them. Better yet, take time to review the current policy you have with your team and discuss changes if needed. Final key topic is identifying threats and being able to report them. Your staff is going to be your eyes and ears. All the devices they use can contain clues of potential threats. However, if you want employees to put a stop to those threats, you want to train them. Focus the training on what legitimate antivirus warnings look like, what’s considered spam content, and to be aware when unexplained errors occur and what to do with them. This is only scratching the surface, but having employees have a basic knowledge of these topics can ensure there will be less human error. And even if there is, people will be able to report it and be able to talk about it quickly

DP71 What You Need To Know About Cybersecurity Training

With malware attacks and stolen data being a common theme in today’s society, companies today need to put more effort in informing and educating employees. Over the years that viruses have run rampant, one of the most common themes in those stories is that employees allowed them to run rampant one way or another. They opened an email, clicked a link, or didn’t bother updating their computer. In fact one of the biggest concerns is people leaving laptops or their mobile in vulnerable places. In the end, people are either your strongest line of defense or your weakest link when it comes to handling these attacks. And even if your defenses are pretty solid, all a hacker needs is to break one link before it all comes crumbling apart. So what can we do to ensure the company we work with is in tip top shape to handle threats? Well here are five tips on how we can educate yourself, employees, and others. First make sure you communicate clearly the potential impact a breach has on the business. How bad habits like easy passwords or not logging off your computer or leaving a laptop in a public area can spell danger. Second, make cybersecurity something everyone has to take seriously. No one is immune to educational programs. That includes both management and IT staff. Even if those people already know how important it is, having those knowledgeable people in the room can help spark conversation. This also applies to employees who’ve been working with the company for a while as they likely have more sensitive information compared to greener employees. Third, hold cybersecurity sessions often. Training for cybersecurity isn’t something you do after you’ve been hacked. In fact that’s the worst time to host a session. Instead, make an effort to hold sessions regularly prior to any attack. These sessions don’t need to be time consuming, perhaps once a month hold a lunch ’n’ learn. Another option is having an online forum employees can share and discuss information. You can even consider putting together routine online surveys to quiz cybersecurity knowledge. It’s cheap, quick, and is a good way to measure people’s knowledge. Fourth tip is is issue specific rules for social networks, mobile devices, email, and browsing. Encourage culture of “safe browsing” and caution staff to have caution around unfamiliar links or attachments they’re not familiar with. On that note, if you encourage routine passwords, aim to find a balance. If you get them to change them every month, employees will start writing them down rather than memorizing them. My suggestion is change your password once every three months at the minimum. Furthermore, don’t make processes so convoluted that you’re making it harder for employees to do their work. If you add too many stops, employees will find other methods to bypass those controls. The final tip is to train employees to recognize and respond to cyber attacks. Give them a channel where they can easily reach for anything cybersecurity. From suspicious emails, unusual activity, or losing a device. Even if it’s a false alarm, having an emergency number to contact is reassuring and can stop attacks before they get too big. Despite all of these efforts, this won’t be enough to stop every single threat out there. Hackers continue to find new ways to break into systems. But at the very least, having knowledge and a more informed staff can help reduce the risk of human error causing breaches.

DP70 How To Educate Employees On Cyber Security

Outside of downloading or buying some ransomware protection, there are other ways for us to be fighting back against ransomware and protecting our data. While a lot of the attacks target small business, we as individuals aren’t immune to scam operators and their ransomware attacks. Before delving into the methods, one thing I’ll make clear is that most of these attacks have happened due to poor protection practices by employees and individuals alike. I’d recommend look at your overall behavior for how you are protecting your personal information and make changes, but also to consider getting ransomware protections tools. Outside of that, here are some other ways to prevent ransomware. In the event you are targeted by a ransomware attack, never pay the ransom. This funds attackers but also it doesn’t promise that you’ll get those files back. After all, you don’t know the person or where they operate. Why would they give the files back? Make a habit of backing up files. Having a dedicated backup drive separate from your computer ensures you can swiftly recover the files lost with no issue. It is the fastest and easiest way to get your data back. Never provide personal details over unsolicited phone calls, emails, text or instant messages. If you ever get any of these, make a point of verifying them. In an employee setting (the most common scenario) you may get a call from someone claiming to be from the IT department or some other department. In that case call up that department and ask around. Even ask fellow coworkers if they’ve gotten these unusual calls. Have at least some level of protection. Ransomware protection is ideal but also having another antivirus software and a firewall is key. Make sure you get both from reputable companies in the industry. Make a point of content scanning and filtering mail servers. Make a point of blocking and scanning attachments for known threats. Have your systems up to date with the latest patches. These patches normally come with features that work in the background that protect vulnerabilities that ransomwares can exploit. Lastly, if you are ever travelling, contact the IT department first. Definitely contact them if you plan on using public Wi-Fi. In the cases of using public WiFi make sure you have a Virtual Private Network (or VPN) on to better protect yourself.

DP69 Other Ways to Prevent Ransomware

David Papp educates you how to stay secure online, avoid scams, & awareness of the pitfalls of modern technology grifters peddling their Synthetic Snake Oil.

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Synthetic Snake Oil: Online Security Tips

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