4 Essential Ways to Improve Your Cyber Health

Virginia Tech is acknowledging Cybersecurity Awareness Month, observed annually in October, by focusing on four key actions that everyone can incorporate into their everyday routine: making strong passwords, using multifactor authentication, learning to recognize and report phishing attacks, and keeping software up to date.

Cyber attacks are an increasing risk to government agencies, including public safety and emergency management, as evidenced by the recent hacking of a social media account with the Bouder, Colo., Office of Disaster Management.

“While attacks have gotten more sophisticated over the years, for users, it still boils down to being vigilant and taking simple precautions, such as using multifactor authentication whenever possible, looking out for and reporting suspicious email and texts, and being careful about what information you share online,” Randy Marchany, chief information security officer at Virginia Tech, said in a press release.

The theme echoes “Secure Our World” in focusing on these four actions:

• How to create strong passwords
• 7 simple things you can do today to be more cyber secure
• How to spot and avoid phishing scams
• The basics of encryption
  

The Virginia Tech Division of Information Technology’s Cybersecurity Awareness resource guide includes guidelines for developing healthy cybersecurity habits at work and at home or school for people of all ages and expertise.