Protecting Your Information

What You Can Do

Protecting yourself, your family and your personal information is an important part of what you do every day. The threats are numerous and wide-ranging. We've grouped those threats into some basic categories along with some recommendations on how to manage them effectively. Take a minute to review the information and better protect yourself.

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Types Of Threats

Natural Disasters

Storms
Floods
Ice storms

Other Disasters

Fire
Electrical failure
Plumbing failure

Utility and communication interruption

Electricity interruption
Telephone service interruption
Voice service
Data service

Property crime

Theft
Vandalism

Cybercrime

Social engineering
Telephone call
Phishing
Account compromise or takeover
Bank account
Email account
Telephone account

Financial crime

Deposit accounts
Wire fraud

How Cyberware Incidents Occur

Malware

Software that is specifically designed to disrupt, damage, or gain unauthorized access to a computer system. Examples include:

Infected website
Infected e-mail
Removable media

Cryptographic ransomware

A type of malicious software designed to block access to a computer system until a sum of money is paid. Examples include:

Infected website
Infected e-mail

E-mail account takeover — Phishing

Unsolicited e-mail request seeking information such as your e-mail password or bank account information. Often involves a fake login screen designed to imitate the legitimate one.

Bank account compromise

When someone acquires your security controls and gains access to your account. Examples include:

Phishing
Social engineering
Online banking

Data theft

When someone gains access to your personal information. Examples include:

Device theft
E-mail content
Cloud storage (data breach)
Removable media

Protect Your Data

Data backups

Back up your computer frequently:

Perform full backups several times a year
Perform partial backups as needed
Store back-ups offsite

Data protection

Use antivirus software
Use a personal firewall if possible
Secure personal information on your computer with secure passwords and ID's
Store personal information in a secure area:
- In a location away from your computer
- In a secure vault
If necessary, store data back-ups in a different location than your computer:
- Perhaps at work
Restrict access to your devices

Removable media

Great to use if your computer is in a common area:

Optical (CD/DVD)
USB Devices
"Thumb" drives
External hard drives
Memory cards

WiFi

Personal Wifi:

Secure your internet connection
Keep your login credentials private

Public WiFi:

Don't access sensitive information over an unsecured network