Dapper Your Data Day: TSTC Cybersecurity instructors offer tips for keeping information safe

(HUTTO, Texas) - National Dapper Your Data Day is an annual event on July 18 that raises awareness about cybersecurity and protecting personal information on devices.

More than 353 million Americans were victims of identity theft in 2023, according to the Identity Theft Resource Center, with more than 349 million of those victims the result of data breaches.

Eric Jackson and Stuart McLennan, instructors for the Cybersecurity programat Texas State Technical College's East Williamson County campusin Hutto, recently shared some tips on protecting your information while on the go.

"Disable settings for automatically connecting to guest networks, and do not connect to unsecured networks," McLennan said. "Do not check your bank account on a guest network, for example, because it puts it at high risk."

Jackson recommended using a virtual private network (VPN) when checking accounts in public areas.

"A VPN creates an encrypted connection so an outside source cannot read your information," he said.

Creating strong passwords can seem daunting for everyday accounts, but McLennan says there is also a solution.

"Use a password manager to create very strong passwords for each site," he said. "These managers are encrypted and safe to use, keeping your passwords strong and secure."

Downloading apps onto devices could also put personal information at risk.

"When you allow access to your contacts with any applications on your phone or device, you take a risk. You don't know who the developers are and how that application functions," Jackson said. "If using company equipment, check with your employer for approved software lists."

"Before you download each app on your devices, it is recommended that you review the app's privacy section to determine what the app will connect to and what permissions it will request once downloaded," McLennan added.

The instructors encouraged using two-factor authentication for apps that offer that level of security. Two-factor authentication requires a user to provide a combination of identification: a password, a biometric such as a face or fingerprint scan, or a security token to gain access to an account.

"It makes it much harder for someone to break into your accounts," McLennan said.

The pair's final recommendations were to be aware of devices' physical security and when email is at risk because of security breaches.

"Do not leave devices open when you are not present or phones lying on tables when you are not in the immediate area," Jackson said.

"You can check to see if your email address has been part of a security breach by checking through https://haveibeenpwned.com/," McLennan said. The website is free to use.

TSTC offers an Associate of Applied Science degree and two certificates of completion in Cybersecurity, and an advanced technical certificate in Digital Forensics Specialist. TSTC's program has been designated a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (NCAE-CD)program through the academic year 2028.

According toonetonline.org, digital forensics analysts in Texas can earn a median salary of $100,720 annually. The site also projected that the need for these professionals was forecast togrow 20%in the state between 2020 and 2030.

Registration continues for the fall semester at TSTC. For more information, go totstc.edu.

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