Cybersecurity Awareness Month - Week 3
Update your software immediately
October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month. Each Monday in October, we cover one short topic on practical ways to stay safer online. So far: strong passwords and a password manager, then multi-factor authentication. This week’s focus: update your software.
You do not have to be technical to make a cybercriminal’s job harder. Small habits are often enough. They leave empty-handed. You keep using the internet for work, shopping, and everyday life.
Allow us to introduce you to this cybercriminal who prefers that you don't update your software.
Meet Cozy Bear
Roar back with software updates.
Cozy Bear, a cybercriminal organization backed by Russia, stays in business by constantly hunting for outdated and unpatched software. Sometimes, the hunt is simple – the moment a company releases a software update, they study it to see what vulnerabilities it fixes. Then they peek around the web for companies and people who haven’t installed it yet. In a way, they get a how-to guide for infecting your machine. Every day you click “Remind Me Later” for an update is another day Cozy Bear hopes you’re vulnerable... and they want to make your life a lot less cozy.
DON’T MAKE LIFE EASY FOR COZY BEAR
Turn on automatic updates whenever possible
Check regularly that operating systems, browsers, apps, and devices are updated
Restart devices when updates require it
Updates don’t just add features. They are full of Bear repellent. Most operating system updates take 5 minutes or less, even including restarting your device. Just do it when prompted, enjoy the little break, and don’t make it easy for them!
Make life difficult for Cybersecurity Criminals
You don’t need to know how all the scams work. You don’t need expensive tools. You don’t need to be an expert. Here’s what you should do to Stay Safe Online:
Every password should be at least 16 characters long, unique to the account, and a random mix of letters, numbers, and symbols
Use a password manager to create and store your passwords
Enable multifactor authentication for every account
Keep your software updated
Scrutinize every unexpected inbound message, especially if it seems urgent or requests payment
