Hacked?

Has your computer been hacked? Or, crashed because you opened an attachment? I think we’ve all been there.

I ran across an article from the Department of Homeland Security the other day discussing how to protect myself from a cyber-attack. The department talked about how important their role was in the threats to our cyber network. Their purpose is to secure the infrastructure of our cyberspace network which has become essential to our lives. The Official website of the Department of Homeland Security Click Here  listed several steps we as private and public individuals should take.

Here a few:

Never click on links in emails or open an attachment unless you know it’s legitimate. If you’re not sure, go to the site and log on directly. Turn off the option to automatically download attachments in your email.

Do not give out personal information over the phone or in email unless you’re sure. Remember social malicious actors will seem trustworthy, even if they have some of your information. Good ideal to ask them for their name so you can have a call back number.

Set secure passwords. Don’t Share.

Keep your software up to date – security updates are free from major software companies.

Contact companies or individuals directly to verify their authenticity of requests.

Stop. Think. Connect. Is a national public awareness campaign to increase the understanding of cyber threats to help the American public to be safer and more secure online. Click

Don’t use passwords based on personal information, this makes it easier for attackers. Examples: intentionally misspell words (for date, use daytt), or mnemonics, for example, “hoops” use “IlTpbb” for "[I] [l]ike [T]o [p]lay [b]asket[b]all." (I think this is a great idea)

Let me throw out another question. 

What would happen if an EMP struck our nation? Is our government ready? 

Or, would we be thrown back into the dark ages? Hmmm