True North Networks Blog
How to protect yourself from COVID-19 scams and improve cyber hygiene
Earlier this month, the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security released an update to their list of ways that people in Canada can protect themselves from COVID-19 scams. In a statement made earlier today, Canada Labour Minister Filomena Tassi said that “Canadians are still being targeted by scams involving text messages and emails, which can lead to identity theft and financial loss; The Canadian Centre for Cyber Security has advice to help you improve your cyber hygiene.”
According to the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security, the five ways that people in Canada can protect themselves from COVID-19 scams are as follows:
1. Be on guard for scams
Don’t click on suspicious links. Also note that the government will never send you a text message about a payment or send you an e-transfer. (Visit the CRA website for ways to spot different scams.)
2. Secure your social media and email accounts
Review your privacy settings on social media and make sure your security questions to all your account logins are something only you would know the answer to.
3. Apply updates to your mobile devices, computers and applications
These updates are important and often contain “security patches.” Enable automatic updates if given the option to do so.
4. Store your data securely and know your back-up procedures
In addition to using an anti-virus or anti-malware program, it’s important to back up important information and files. You can use a cloud service to do that, but be sure to practise data recovery at least once so you know what to expect if you have to do it again.
5. Practice good password etiquette
Use passwords that are complex, and never share them. Don’t use the same passwords between different accounts, and use two-factor authentication when possible.
For the complete statement on cyber hygiene during COVID-19 from the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security, click here.
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