This October marks the 20th Cybersecurity Awareness Month!

To commemorate this special anniversary, we want to help raise awareness about digital security by empowering you to make smart choices when it comes to protecting yourself and your family from online scams, fraud, and other threats in today’s connected world.

5 Tips to Protect Your Family’s Online Activity

1. Create strong passwords.Creating, storing, and remembering your passwords can be challenging, but following a few basic guidelines can help you stay safe for years to come.

• Start by choosing a password that is over 10 characters long.

• Make sure each password is unique ─ don’t reuse the same one over and over again.

• Pick a combination of upper case letters, lower case letters, numbers, and symbols to make it more difficult for hackers to crack.

• You should also consider password management tools to help track your passwords and alert you if any of them have been compromised.

2. Use two-step authentication.Two-step authentication is like using two locks on your door. It adds an extra layer of security by having you verify your identity a second time after entering your username and password. This can usually be done with a text message, fingerprint, or facial recognition. According to Google, two-step verification through SMS text messages can stop 100% of all automated attacks, 96% of bulk phishing attacks, and three-quarters of targeted attacks.

3. Limit which devices have access to your network.The more devices you have connected to your home network, the more at risk it becomes. According to Deloitte, the average American has over 20 internet-connected devices in their home ─ including devices like fitness trackers, smart appliances, and voice assistants. This number is projected to nearly double in the next couple years. Any poorly secured device becomes another potential entry point for hackers.

4. Retire your devices safely.While it may be tempting to hold on to a device as long as possible, it’s important to get rid of them when they become outdated. Older devices receive fewer software and security updates which make them more vulnerable to potential cyber threats.

5. Consider adding extra protection.Guard your transactions, personal data, and online activities with advanced internet security that blocks threats before they reach your devices. Award-winning solutions like Kinetic Secure can help you stop viruses, malware, ransomware, and phishing attacks before they can cause damage or disruption.