Small, meaningful actions can help keep you safe
More and more of our lives are lived online, from digital banking to entire conversations held via text or chat. While convenient, this immediate and ceaseless access can make cybercrime and fraud frighteningly easy. The good news is that protecting yourself can be simple once you know the steps to take.
"Greylock works very hard to keep our members safe, and one of the ways we do that is through education," said Mystie Ford, Fraud Prevention Officer. "The risks are real, but there's no need to panic. Our best advice is to stop and think - then verify the source or request for information. If it's your Greylock accounts, call us. It will save you time, money, and a lot of stress."
National Cybersecurity Alliance offers myriad resources and information for anyone who wants to dive deep - they also sum up the best ways to stay safe online with the following tips:
Make long, unique passwords
- At least 16 characters long
- Unique to each account
- Random mix of letters, numbers and symbols
- Don't reuse passwords or iterations such as by adding ! or $ to the end of a password
- Use a password manager to help create and store your passwords!
According to the Alliance, "an 8-character password can be cracked in seconds, no matter how many &s and !s you use. A complex 16-character password takes billions of years to crack."
BONUS: Understand Password Managers - what they are and how to use them. Read now.
Enable Multifactor Authentication (MFA)
- Enable MFA on every account that offers it
- Use an authenticator app like Duo, Google Authenticator or Microsoft Authenticator, or biometrics like face ID and fingerprints when possible
Keep devices and software up to date
- Turn on automatic updates
- Regularly check to see that operating systems, browsers, devices and apps are updated
- Restart your devices on a regular basis - this includes your internet router and cell phone, but also security cameras and smart speakers
The time it takes to restart your device will absolutely be faster than dealing with a hacked account!
Stop. Think. Be wary.
- Be suspicious of every unexpected email, text message or phone call - especially if it seems urgent
- Slow down and take your time reviewing messages
- Be wary of urgency, both negative (you've been hacked!) and positive (you won!)
If you're unsure, hang up or don't respond. Don't click any links. Delete the message then verify the source. Look up the company or person and reach out to them on your own to verify if they truly sent you the communication.
Throughout the month of October, Greylock will share simple tips from the Alliance, along with some other content you may find useful as you consider the ways to protect yourself.
Greylock is here to help. If you have any concerns you've been the victim of fraud with your Greylock accounts, reach out at 413-236-4000 or 1-800-207-5555 or info@greylock.org.