This rise in potentially sensitive or confidential information stored online in the digital age has led to an increase in scams and breaches that threaten the safety and security of vital data.
To help combat that, the Cherry Hill library recently held a class on digital security called “Keep Yourself, Your Computer and Your Money Safe Online.”
Presenter Peter Mokover defined cybersecurity as keeping the “bad guys” out. Attendees received packets of information summarizing what the presentation would include so they could follow along as he spoke.
Mokover opened with an anecdote about how a friend of his was once tricked by fake emails and a website that appeared to be her legitimate banking website. When she signed in, the scammers were able to access her information and withdraw money from her account.
“It’s a good idea to see whether, when it says click here, where is it actually going to take you,” Mokover advised, adding that the cursor should be moved over a link to reveal the web address before clicking. “It’s going to take you somewhere, but where? It’s probably a good idea for you to know where before you click.”
Mokover went over the protection of passwords and usernames, noting that the former should not be used for more than one account, should be kept in a secure location and be hard to guess. He also emphasized that usernames should be made more difficult to figure out by utilizing more than just a name or email address.
Mokover addressed scams by maintaining how important it is to be cautious with personal information online and over the phone.
“I would say this next point is not always a bad thing,” he noted, “but at least be cautious or conscious of it. And that’s unsolicited contact.”
The presentation also covered email security – making clear that sending them is not a secure process – but that it is less likely for one email to be intercepted without specific targeting because of the sheer daily volume of those sent, estimated at hundreds of billions. The main danger of emails comes from unknown attachments that, if downloaded, can result in malware or a virus, according to Mokover.
As for web security, he offered a range of advice, from knowing to what a user is agreeing before accepting terms of service and not allowing a website to access location without a good reason, like travel.
Mokover also explained the difference between web addresses beginning with http and https.
“Https is what everybody ought to be using,” he stated. “It means it’s a secure connection between you and that website, so chances of something being hacked are greatly reduced. If you see http without the letter ‘s’ after it, it’s not a secure connection.”
Mokover also stressed not signing up for websites that require password entry with Google or Facebook; both sites make their money through ads and data collection, meaning information is not secure. Regarding device security, he recommended that heat and liquids be kept away from devices and that laptops, tablets and phones be stored in locations not easily accessible.
He also emphasized the importance of backing up all data on computers to external hard drives that should be kept in a safe place away from a computer, and for extra protestion, to the cloud.
“They’re called flash drives,” Mokover pointed out. “They’re really important. I do not think these are good for backups. These don’t last very long compared to some of them for reliable backups.”
The presentation also addressed disposal of old computers. Mokover explained that leaving them out with the trash is illegal in New Jersey. A hard drive should be kept or destroyed by smashing it with a hammer or being drilled into and filled with liquid, he said. The rest of the computer should go to a proper disposal facility.
Kim Taylor was in attendance for the digital security class.
“I thought it was very informative,” she said. “I already knew a lot, but this made it seem simpler, easier and more manageable.”
