Online Users Urged To Tighten Their Cyber Security

Article Presented By Hometown-Motors, Inc…

(Columbus) – The Division of Financial Institutions at the Ohio Department of Commerce encourages all Ohioans to be proactive in protecting their online information by participating in national Change Your Password Day on Thursday, February 1st. 

According to the FBI’s 2022 Internet Crime Report, Ohio ranked seventh in the country in terms of individuals who were victims of cyber crimes. That year, approximately 13,659 individuals lost a total of more than $180 million. In addition, according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, nearly half of all American adults have had their personal information exposed by cyber criminals.

A recent post from Norton, the software security company also shows the startling statistics about the dangers posed by weak password management and shares password tips to help keep you safe.

In today’s digital age when so much personal and sensitive information is available online and on our various electronic devices, one of the simplest, yet most effective ways to prevent that information from being compromised or falling into the wrong hands is by changing your password on a regular and frequent basis. 

“Regularly updating your passwords may seem like an inconvenience, but these combinations of letters and numbers are the only thing keeping your personal information safe from being exposed online,” said Office of Consumer Affairs Director Viktoria Jurkovic. “Remember, it’s not just about changing passwords, but making them stronger, harder to guess, and different for each account you own. Not only are you trying to make it more difficult for a hacker to steal your personal and/or financial information, but you are also protecting your digital identity too.”

According to the DFI, there are a number of tips to keep in mind when it comes to updating your password. 

• Make your passwords long, at least 16 characters in length. The longer the password, the more difficult it is for cybercriminals to crack.
• Make your passwords random. Use a string of mixed-case letters, numbers and symbols, such as (cXhjdtK6*&OaaFRx), or create a memorable phrase of 5-7 unrelated words (HippoBlueShirtIceCream). 
• Make them unique. By using different passwords for bank, email and social media accounts, you can rest assured knowing that if one password is compromised, your other accounts should still be secure.
• Change your passwords often, at least every three months.

Changing your password regularly isn’t only about protecting yourself from external threats, it’s also about being proactive in safeguarding your own accounts. As technology continues to advance, so does the risk of data breaches and identity theft. Consumers are encouraged to put these steps into practice to ensure their safety and privacy.

For more information and cyber security tips, click here.