April 1, April Fools’ Day, is a day for jokes and tricks. Many of us have been on the receiving end of April Fools’ pranks. Google always has fun with this day by posting fun graphics and videos on their search page. When hackers take advantage of this annual jokster day, the jokes aren’t innocent or funny.
Why do we fall for hoaxes and hacks? Our victimization is based on awareness and lack of defenses. Following cybersecurity best practices throughout the year is a good defense against malicious activity, any day of the year.
Watch out for:
- Email attachments. May times these include malware or unsafe links.
- Email links. Where is that link really sending you?
- Social engineering. Is someone trying to get you to give them personal information or access?
- Free offers and deep discounts. Free isn’t always free. Make sure you understand what you are getting into.
- Be especially wary of anything about the COVID vaccine or tax refund information. Identity theft has spiked during the pandemic.
Aside from physical defenses (firewalls, access rules, intrusion prevention, patching, etc.), there are many cyber hygiene basics that need to be followed.
Include strong password management. Passwords should be long and strong. Use of passphrases is recommended. If possible, adopt multi-factor authentication methods. This can fortify your login. Reduce administrative privileges wherever you can. Review the permissions of your users on a regular basis and make the necessary adjustments.
This blog is no joke. We want you to invest in your cybersecurity posture to ensure that everyone is safe and secure.