Twenty years ago, technology impacted the world in a much different way. Social networks had yet to take off, cell phones served as more of a utility than entertainment, and the Internet was new. Terms like identity theft, scam, phishing, and hacking were reserved for rare financial crimes or the theme of a cinematic blockbuster. The past twenty years have seen incredible growth in technology, with the introduction of smartphones, artificial intelligence (AI), and more. As technology has evolved, however, so have tactics to take advantage of vulnerabilities in the system. That's why cybersecurity and protecting your digital presence today looks a lot different than it did back then. In 2003, The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and National Cybersecurity Alliance (NCA) introduced Cybersecurity Awareness Month - an annual monthlong observance to raise awareness about prioritizing your cybersecurity. As we move forward in an increasingly digital world, there are a few key behaviors you can adopt to help protect your financial future.

Use strong passwords and a password manager
Consider your usernames and passwords the keys to your digital house. They protect your accounts, finances, and more, making it imperative to keep them safe. The best passwords are long, difficult to guess, unique, and use a combination of character types. Setting strong passwords provides better protection against fraudsters attempting to illegally access your sensitive information. It may also be a good idea to consider a password manager for securely storing your login information on your computer or mobile device.

Turn on Multi-Factor Authentication
If the goal is to protect your login information from falling into the wrong hands, another key behavior is enabling multi-factor authentication (MFA) across your accounts and devices. MFA works by requiring two or more methods of identity verification - usually involving a fingerprint scan and/or entering a code sent via text message or email - to gain access to your account. We recommend enabling MFA for any app or service where it is offered, but especially for financial accounts, social media, and email.

Recognize and report phishing attempts
Knowing how to protect yourself against phishing attempts as well as how to report these attempts properly is another key behavior you can adopt to increase your cybersecurity. Phishing - which is the act of sending electronic communications falsely claiming ot be from an organization to defraud the recipient  - utilizes emails, text messages, and even phone calls to steal personal information. There are common red flags to look for, including incorrect grammar, usage of suspicious links, and the messages/calls being sent from unknown email addresses or phone numbers. After identifying a phishing attempt, be sure to notify the appropriate authorities as well as your IT department, if applicable. You should also consider reporting any phishing attempts to the Federal Trade Commission.

Keep your software up to date
The fourth key behavior you can use to help improve your cybersecurity is to keep your software up to date on your digital devices. Outdated software can increase your vulnerability to cyber threats, some of which can penetrate your device to steal your information without your knowledge. By keeping your software up to date, however, you can help decrease the chances of this happening.

Online safety and security enhancements have come a long way in the last twenty years, but we still have more work ahead. Consider adopting these four behaviors into your own secuirty strategy to better protect yourself, your online accounts, and your finances. This year marks twenty years since the first National Cybersecurity Awareness Month was observed by the CISA and the NCA to offer Americans assistance and tips for staying safe online. DCCU remains committed to prioritizing the financial security of our members. Please visit our Fraud Prevention & Alerts page for additional information on fraud prevention.

This article is for general information only and not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual.