Welcome to the Oregon FBC Tech Tuesday. Today: Building a digital defense against technology has failed.
You and your family are finally going on vacation this summer after months of locks and shutters. In the end, the world seems to be recovering. Unfortunately, cyber thieves are just waiting for you to pack your bags.
Here are some ways to keep you and your digital devices safe while you travel, according to our friends at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
- Leave any appliances you don’t really need at home.
- Be sure to update all anti-virus and malware options before you set out for those devices. And After returning home.
- Also, make sure you change your passwords and PINs to new, stronger options before you leave. When you return from your trip, switch them to another new option.
- Back up your device if your phone or laptop is hacked or attacked. Remember – backups should always be offline because the bad guy can’t access them either.
- Make sure your wireless and Bluetooth auto-connect and remote-connection settings are off while traveling. They are convenient to use when you are at home, but you can connect to a malicious network without even knowing it on the road.
- It is also challenging to use free WiFi options at airports, hotels, coffee shops and other places – but be careful. If you can get in, so does the hacker. If you need to connect to a public network, make sure you only use “https” sites. And remember – never trade, bank or other sensitive information, such as your health portal, while on the public network.
- Using your own data network connection or using VPN is always the best option.
If you are a victim of any online fraud, you should also report the matter to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center www.ic3.gov Or call your FBI office.
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