By Staff Reports
(HONOLULU) – Encouraging Hawaii residents to think before they connect, Gov. Neil Abercrombie proclaimed the month of October “Cyber Security Awareness Month” in Hawaii.
“Cyber Security Awareness Month reminds us of the importance of identifying, protecting against, and responding to cyber threats that can strongly impact our individual and collective security and privacy,” said Hawaii Chief Information Officer Keone Kali. “Maintaining the security of cyberspace is a shared responsibility, and by following a few common sense tips, we can make the most of the Internet while protecting against online threats.”
The National Association of State Chief Information Officers, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the Center for Internet Security’s Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center (msisac.cisecurity.org) and the National Cyber Security Alliance, has likewise declared October as National Cyber Security Awareness Month. In conjunction with the national observance, the National Cyber Security Alliance is leading a coalition of government organizations, private companies, and nonprofits to coordinate the “Stop.Think.Connect.” campaign to help all digital citizens stay safer and more secure online. The campaign offers online resources at www.stopthinkconnect.org.
Hawaii residents are also encouraged to visit the State of Hawaii Cyber Security website at ags.hawaii.gov/icsd/cyber-security. Maintained by the state Department of Accounting and General Services’ Information and Communication Services Division, the site offers a Cyber Security Awareness Toolkit, tips and resources to stay safe online, and useful links to other resources to learn about cyber security and put that knowledge into practice at home as well as in schools, workplaces and businesses.
10 Security Precautions for Every Digital Device
Smartphones, tablets and other mobile devices carry more personal data than ever before, which means individuals should take certain precautions to safeguard the information in the event of a lost or stolen device. The following are 10 precautions recommended by www.stopthinkconnect.org to safeguard data:
- Keep a clean machine – Running the most recent versions of your mobile operating system, security software, apps and Web browsers is the best defense against malware, viruses and other online threats.
- Don’t lose track of your device – Avoid putting down your devices in public places or in a taxi. The small size and portability make them easy to lose or steal. A brightly colored case or sticker on your device will increase the chances you won’t leave it behind.
- Protect your personal information – When using a public, unsecured wireless connection, avoid using apps or websites that require you to enter a password. This applies to the wireless networks provided on many airlines, as well as Wi-Fi connections in places like coffee shops, hotels, airports and libraries.
- Connect with care – Switch off your Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connections when not in use to help prevent malicious parties from connecting to your device without your knowledge. If you’re banking or shopping, remember, a 3G or 4G connection is safer than an unsecured Wi-Fi connection.
- Secure your device – Activate key-lock features and/or use a passcode. If your device allows for a complex password, take advantage of the feature.
- Back it up – Sync your contacts, photos, videos and other mobile device data with another device or cloud service on a weekly basis.
- When in doubt, throw it out – Delete any online communications (i.e., texts, emails, social media posts) that look suspicious, even if you think you know the source.
- Activate locator apps – Many manufacturers have free apps you can download to help you locate your device in the event it gets lost or stolen. These apps often allow you to remotely lock the device or wipe data.
- Think before you app – Only download apps from reputable sources, like verified app stores. Understand what information (i.e., location, social networking profiles, etc.) the app would access and share before you download.
- Record the serial number – By dialing these five characters – *#06# – you can access your phone’s unique, 15-digit International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number. Write this number down and store in a secure location, so you can report it if your phone goes missing.