Protecting a business or home from cyber attacks may seem like a technical puzzle, but a Tennessee Tech Specialist said common sense goes a long way in staying secure.
October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month. Cybersecurity Education, Research and Outreach Center Assistant Director Eric Brown said the first step is learning.
“I can prevent Malware just by consumer education,” Brown said. “Not totally prevent, but almost 80 percent of the attacks happen not because it was a sophisticated attack but because somebody clicked on a link and an email.”
Brown said the second step is to understand the gear. Brown said whether it is a business or home, simply read manuals, check a company’s track record and review privacy settings.
“It’s the same business sense we’ve used for years in business,” Brown said. “Know my suppliers, know the product they are providing and it is the same application here. For all the new gadgets and toys we add to our home, read the book.”
Brown said posting too much on social media can leave someone even more vulnerable to cyber attacks. Brown said hackers can use personal information to socially engineer answers for security questions.
“If you live your life on social media and disclose every bit of information about your life on social media including private information that you also use as the answer to your security questions, you are leaving yourself open,” Brown said. “Be smart in what you do.”
Brown said using two-step authentication for accounts is a good practice to follow. Brown said he also recommends using password managing applications to keep up with account information.
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