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Cyber Security Information
Online safety is a big priority today. Below is a link to a PDF from the Department of Homeland Security called Five Everyday Steps Towards Online Safety.
https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/publications/Week1TipCard-%20508%20compliant.pdf
Passwords are critical to online safety. Below is a document on some helpful tips for good password habits. To create strong passwords, one helpful tip is to use 3 random words. This is because longer passwords are stronger.
Email is one of, if not the most, often way malicious software is installed. Attackers use carefully crafted Emails to lure a victim into clicking a malicious link or file. This attack is called Phishing. It is important to have a healthy level of suspicion when using Email. Phishing Emails can appear to come from a company or person you know (the From Address on an Email can be easily modified). If something doesn't seem right, contact the person or company by phone or in person before clicking any links or opening any attachments. Below is a link from US CERT on Phishing and Social Engineering:
Tax Season
It's tax season, so protect yourself and your family from IRS Scams. Below are some links to the IRS website talking about scams and what to look for.
https://www.irs.gov/privacy-disclosure/report-phishing
https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/how-to-know-its-really-the-irs-calling-or-knocking-on-your-door-0
Updated: 2/14/2018
Meltdown and Spectre
Meltdown and Spectre are documented ways to exploit design flaws in central processing units (CPU) of computers, laptops, tablets, phones, and other devices. The CPU is the place most critical tasks are performed on a device, and these exploits are ways for malicious programs to steal sensitive information such as passwords and encryption keys.
To help protect your devices, it is important to apply all new operating system updates (Windows, MacOS, Android, Apple IOS). For laptops and desktop computers, look for manufacturer updates (called Firmware) for the system boards on the devices.
For more information, please see the article below:
http://money.cnn.com/2018/01/05/technology/spectre-meltdown-chip-flaws-what-to-do/index.html