Make cybersecurity a priority

Cybercrime is everywhere these days, so cybersecurity should be a priority, not an afterthought. That means keeping cybersecurity top of mind as you navigate the digital world.

Watch the video | Strong defenses, stay cybersecure

Begin with your login credentials

Make it a habit to review your login credentials once a year or more and think about your password hygiene.

• Use strong passwords.
• Use unique passwords on all your accounts, especially the ones that access your financial information or store credit card or personal information.
• Clear your cookies and history on a regular basis.
• Don’t let online services and retailers store your login and password.
• Never share your password with anyone, or volunteer it if requested to do so. Oregon State Credit Union will never contact you to request your password.

Keep your defenses up

Make sure your anti-virus protection, firewall software and all software on internet-connected devices is active and current with all software updates. Updates often include additional software to protect you from new threats. If possible, configure your devices to update automatically or to notify you when an update is available. Be sure to back-up your data frequently to minimize the impact of any problems you may encounter.

Look before you click

Links and attachments in email, texts, social media posts and messages, and online advertising are among the easiest ways for cybercriminals to get your sensitive information. Before you click on any link or open any attachment, try to verify where it is coming from. You could:

• Float your cursor over the sender’s email address to see if it looks legitimate.
• Hover your cursor over the links in an email to see where the URL is pointing.
• Run the URL through an online verification site to confirm it is authentic.
• Instead of clicking, type the URL in manually.

Be aware of your settings

Every time you sign up for a new account, download a new browser or app, or get a new device, immediately configure the default privacy and security settings, and then review them once a year.

• If you’ve been assigned a factory-configured password, change that immediately.
• Enable multi-factor authentication if it is an option.
• Review the default settings that define what personal information you will share, and set those to restrict your personal information as much as possible.

Stay alert

Be on the lookout for bad actors who may impersonate a legitimate business or familiar person to try and trick you into revealing your personal information. They may pretend to be your financial institution, online retailer, package delivery service, a friend or even a potential love interest. If the communication or request is unexpected, or if you are being pressured to act with urgency, be suspicious and proceed with caution. Instead of clicking on any links, providing information or engaging in conversation, do some research. If it’s from a company, look them up on the internet and call their number to confirm the request. If it’s from a friend, call them for confirmation. The bottom line is trust your instincts. If it seems wrong, check it out.

Watch the video | Strong defenses, stay cybersecure