Don’t Be Tricked This Halloween

If you work in IT and security, there's nothing more frightening than a data breach. It's the last day of Cybersecurity Awareness Month - and Halloween in many parts of the world. And a demand for candy beats a demand for ransom every time. Here are our top tips to scare away the bad guys all year long:

1. Be Unique

You wouldn't wear the same costume year after year … would you? Use a password manager to generate and store complex password s for each of your accounts.

2. Add a Layer of Protection

Throwing a winter coat over my costume may have ruined a few Halloweens growing up in chilly New England, but using Multi-Factor Authentication to protect your online accounts provides added reassurance.

3. Stay Up to Date

Don't be haunted by the ghosts of employees past. Regularly update your permissions as well as your software, apps, and operating systems. And install security patches to protect against known vulnerabilities.

4. Be Cautious of Phishing Scams

The only acceptable phishing is for the good candy in the treat bag. Don't click on suspicious links or download attachments from unknown sources. Always verify the sender's email address. (Learn more from The Resilience Rundown podcast episode Fighting Phishing.)

5. Limit Social Media Sharing

It's tempting to post everything about your little ghosts and goblins, but be cautious. Cybercriminals can glean personal information to guess your passwords or answer security questions. (Watch our Social Media episode of the Strive podcast for more safety tips.)

6. Protect Yourself From Viruses

Want to stay healthy? Install reputable antivirus and anti-malware software on your devices - and for pete's sake, don't bob for apples at a preschool party.

7. Report Suspicious Activity

Halloween pranks may be harmless, but cybercrime can have serious repercussions. If you suspect you've been a victim, report it to your local law enforcement and national cybercrime agencies.

There's no sugarcoating the facts: Malicious attacks can happen at any time. You must remain vigilant to protect your organization from wolves in sheep's clothing all year long. Follow these tips to significantly improve your online security and help protect yourself and your data from cyber threats.