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Cybersecurity Preparedness

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Cybersecurity involves preventing, detecting, and responding to cyber incidents that can have wide ranging effects on the individual, organizations, the community and at the national level. 

You can decrease your chance of a cyber attack by setting up the proper controls.  You can do the following things you can do to protect yourself, your family, and your property before a cyber incident occurs:

  • Only connect to the Internet over secure, password- protected networks.
  •  Do not click on links or pop-ups, open attachments, or respond to emails from strangers.
  • Always enter a URL by hand instead of following links if you are unsure of the sender.
  • Do not respond to online requests for Personally Identifiable Information (PII); most organizations – banks, universities, companies, etc. – do not ask for your personal information over the Internet.
  • Limit who you are sharing information with by reviewing the privacy settings on your social media accounts.
  • Trust your gut; if you think an offer is too good to be true, then it probably is.
  • Password protect all devices that connect to the Internet and user accounts.
  • Do not use the same password twice; choose a password that means something to you and you only; change your passwords on a regular basis.
  • If you see something suspicious, report it to the proper authorities.

If you believe that your computer has been compromised, you can do the following:

  • Check to make sure the software on all of your systems is up-to-date.
  • Run a scan to make sure your system is not infected or acting suspiciously.
  • If you find a problem, disconnect your device from the Internet and perform a full system restore.
  • If in a public setting immediately inform a librarian, teacher, or manager in charge to contact their IT department.
  • Report the incident to your local police so there is a record of the incident. You may also contact federal agencies able to provide assistance and investigate the incident:

 

Click here to create your own custom Cyber Security Plan with the Federal Communication Commission's Business Continuity Cyberplanner.