Serving Southern Jefferson County in the Great State of Montana

Tech Questions? Get the Answers: 8/14/2024

How to Safeguard Yourself Against Social Engineering Attacks

In our interconnected digital world, threats aren’t always visible. Social engineering attacks prey on human psychology, manipulating trust and emotions to gain access to sensitive information.

Secure Your Digital Valuables. Imagine your online life as a treasure chest. Inside are your bank accounts, personal data, and sensitive information. To keep them safe, consider using a separate computer exclusively for banking transactions and keeping it offline except when necessary for financial tasks.

Beware of Phishing Emails. Phishing emails are the bait in social engineering. Here’s how to recognize them. Healthy Skepticism: If an email promises something too good (or too bad) to be true, proceed with caution. Verify links and attachments before clicking. Learn from Tests: Organizations often conduct phishing awareness tests. Use these as learning opportunities to sharpen your detection skills.

Multifactor Authentication: (MFA) adds an extra layer of security beyond passwords. MFA requires a second form of authentication (like a text message or app notification) in addition to your password. Enable MFA wherever possible - email, cloud services, and financial accounts.

Corporate Machines Only. When accessing company systems, avoid using personal computers for work-related tasks. Corporate machines are better protected and monitored.

Remember, social engineering attacks thrive on trust. Stay vigilant, question everything, and protect your digital treasures. By doing so, you’ll outwit the invisible traps and keep your information secure.

Submit questions to info@WhiteHatMT.com

 

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