Village Of Northbrook: Cybersecurity Awareness Month Continues

Press release from the Village of Northbrook:

October 6, 2023

October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month! The 2023 theme for Cybersecurity Awareness Month is 'Secure Our World'. Some of those steps include the following:

1. Enable Multi-Factor Authentication — Multi-factor authentication (MFA), simultaneously using multiple pieces of information to verify your identity, is becoming more common. (MFA is sometimes referred to as two-factor authentication.) Even if an attacker obtains your password, they may not be able to access your account if it’s protected by MFA. The theory behind this approach is similar to requiring two or more forms of identification or two keys to open a safe deposit box. You should turn on MFA where it’s available. Read more.

2. Use Strong Passwords — You probably use passwords every day while accessing important and personal accounts. An easy way to protect your information is by choosing strong and complex passwords. Always use different passwords on different systems and accounts and never base your passwords on personal information that can be easily accessed or guessed. Read more.

3. Recognize and Report Phishing — Phishing attacks use email or malicious websites to solicit personal information by posing as a trustworthy organization. Be suspicious of unsolicited email messages from individuals. Do not provide personal or financial information in an email and do not click on any links or attachments in emails that are unexpected, from an unknown sender, or seem suspect. Read more.

4. Update Your Software — Install updates as soon as possible to protect your computer, phone, or other digital device against attackers targeting system vulnerabilities. Some software will automatically check for updates; enable automatic software updates whenever possible. If downloading manually, always visit vendor sites directly rather than clicking on advertisements or email links. Read more.

This press release was produced by the Village of Northbrook. The views expressed here are the author’s own.