Burnsville, Minnesota– October 12, 2017 –October
is National Cyber Security Awareness Month, a great time for both citizens and
businesses to take stock of their online security measures. Cyber threats
targeting personal and business interests continue to increase and it’s
important to take whatever steps you can to secure your technology, data and
personal information. Better Business Bureau® of Minnesota and North Dakota
(BBB) offers tips for individuals and businesses to consider implementing.
“We know there’s no way to completely guarantee one’s
safety from online threats,” said Susan Adams Loyd, President and CEO of BBB of
Minnesota and North Dakota. “But we also know there are ways you can decrease
your exposure.”
For consumers, the best ways to stay safe online include:
· Protecting your computer – A computer should always
have the most recent updates installed for spam filters, anti-virus and
anti-spyware software and a secure firewall.
· Avoiding suspicious links and attachments – Scammers
often seek to spread malware and viruses via email, sometimes sending emails
from friends or relatives whose accounts have been hacked. Don’t click on any
suspicious links or attachments – especially ZIP files. Even from people you
know.
· Sticking to trustworthy websites – Check on the
seller’s reputation and record for customer satisfaction at bbb.org.
Look for the BBB seal and other widely-recognized “trust marks” on retailer
websites. Always remember to click on the seals to confirm that they are valid.
· Guarding your personal information – Take the time to
read the privacy policy of websites you visit and understand what personal
information is being collected and how it will be used. If you don’t see one
posted, be aware your information may be sold to others without your
permission.
· Confirming your online purchases are secure – Shoppers
should always look in their web address bar for the “s” in https:// and in the
lower-right corner for the “lock” symbol before paying.
BBB also offers tips on
cyber safety for businesses, as well:
· Watch out for spear-phishing attacks – Scammers will
sometime create emails which appear to be from a top company official and
request cash transfers or sensitive personal information of company employees.
Have a failsafe system in place and train your employees to verify all such
requests.
· Be wary of suspicious links and attachments – Just as
they do with consumers, scammers often seek to infiltrate business databases by
sending emails containing links or attachments which could download dangerous
malware. It’s important to have a secure firewall and strong spam filters. When
in doubt, suspect emails should be reviewed by IT professionals.
· Take inventory of the types of data your business
collects - If you collect data that can be reasonably linked to a specific
customer, computer or device (e.g., cookie data), consider it personal data.
Classify information according to privacy risk, paying particular attention to
sensitive categories such as Social Security numbers, credit card or other
financial information, and location data.
· Scale down - Collect and store only the data you need
to run your business and to meet legal requirements. You may be able to
eliminate data elements you don’t need by changing default settings in your
online forms or database software. Remember, you have a responsibility to
protect all personal data you collect, so limit your burden and your risk.
· Lock it up - Review your data security practices to
ensure you’re protecting customer data from identity theft and cyber threats.
For further details on
different ways small businesses can secure their data and the personal and
financial information of their stakeholders, visit bbb.org/council/for-businesses/toolkits/data-privacy-for-small-businesses/.
