Network Security | |
| Network security on your computer is very important for protecting personal
information. However, like all devices, they are susceptible to hacking and malware.
Here are a few signs that your network may be breached:
- Your antivirus software has been disabled or removed. If you notice your
antivirus software is not activated, try to reactivate it. If that does not work,
it may be a sign that you have been hacked.
- You notice that unfamiliar programs have been installed on your computer.
If you notice an unfamiliar program on your computer, do not open it. They could
contain malicious software.
- Your passwords have been changed without your consent. This is usually a bad sign,
and may indicate that you've been hacked.
- You notice an unusual number of browser pop-ups. Pop-ups are generally not
a huge cause for concern, but when they appear on supposedly trusted sites, you
should be suspicious.
(1)
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Password Reliability
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| People tend to use very unreliable passwords simply because they find
them easy to remember. According to "password manager Keeper" almost 20% of all
users have '123456' as their protective code.
(2) The top 3 most used passwords of 2016 are: '123456', '123456789'
and 'qwerty'. With easy passwords like these, hackers have a much easier time
guessing protective passwords and accessing personal and financial information.
In order to make a successful password, certain criteria needs to be met.
According to Microsoft's 'TechNet', a password would need to meet the following
criteria for it to be effective:
- At least 8 characters long
- Contain both uppercase and lowercase letters and a variety of characters and
symbols
- Unique to one particular account (no password should be used for multiple
accounts)
- Stored using reversible encryption and changed every 60 days
(3)
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Identity Theft |
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 | Identity theft
is a crime where your personal information (like your name or social security number)
has been stolen by an imposter who tries to commit fraud in your name. This imposter could
pretend to be you in a financial or legal matter, leaving you in debt or with a criminal
record, all to no fault of your own.
(4) Many cases of identity theft are performed online, so here are a few ways to protect
yourself from this crime:
- Avoid posting your personal information online unless it is for a trusted financial
website eg. Online Banking
- To make sure the website you're visiting is secure, look for a lock symbol somewhere
on the web page and make sure the URL begins with "https"
- Make sure you review and understand the privacy settings on all your social media
accounts
- Know that government organizations, financial instituions and other trusted organizations
would never email or text you asking for your passwords or PINs, so do not give away that
information
- Ignore and delete spam emails, especially if they include rewards, prizes or other exclusive
information
(5)
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