(866) 889-5012 How to Protect Your Digital Information
“Getting in a car crash can definitely dampen the holiday spirit,” said Kevin Quinn, Mercury Insurance's Vice President of Auto Claims. "Many drivers may be out of practice as more cars are back on the road this year. Drivers must stay vigilant and pay extra attention while in crowded parking lots.”
Technology has definitely made life easier and sometimes harder. Fact is, smartphones and laptops are a part of modern life. As we continue to migrate even more of our lives online, this means personal and sensitive information, such as financial accounts and health care records, will be stored in virtual databases.
This new age of technology assistance comes with plenty of convenience, however, with this trend comes increased exposure to phishing and malware attacks —tricks users into inputting their personal information through fake sites or email links. Protecting yourself from cyber threats is as important as ever and there are several methods to protect yourself.
There are steps you can take to protect your data safe and secure:
- A strong password: The latest cyber security tools are worthless if you have a weak password. Combine upper and lower case letters, numbers, and symbols into something unique to you is the best way to stay safe.
- Multi-factor authentication: This combines a secure password with a push notification on your phone, or a face scan to verify who is using the data.
- Use discretion: Avoid accessing personal information on public Wi-Fi – such as coffee shops or libraries. This could include sites where your banking information is accessible or sites containing medical files.
- Use anti-virus and anti-spyware: Spyware is software that allows a user to obtain secret information about someone’s computer activities. Spyware can come bundled in with desirable software, or a “Trojan horse” style attack using a USB Keylogger. Anti-virus and anti-spyware can fight these threats. These programs can detect threats in real-time. However they must be updated regularly to function at their best.
In addition to managing your online risk, Mercury Insurance offers a solution – home cyber protection coverage. This robust safeguard covers attacks on your computer, cyber extortion, online fraud, threats to your home security systems and smart devices. However, if the unthinkable happens, Mercury also offers identity management services to help return your life to normal.
Cyber security is constantly evolving. Keeping up with current trends is the best way to keep your - and your family’s - information safe and secure.
Maybe briefly explain what this? I always think of writing these things as if I’m writing it for someone who doesn’t know what this means. Don’t go into great detail, but something brief. Maybe something like “…phishing and malware attacks that trick users into inputting their personal information through fake sites or email links.”
I would probably add another sentence describing what types of sites you should avoid accessing on public WiFi, like bank sites to access your account or maybe medical information through a health account. Something along those lines.
Can you add a couple more sentences about what spyware is and how people can be tricked into accessing those sites so people can be aware? And then suggest the use of anti-spyware.
