Protect Your “Cyber Home” with a Solid Foundation

From an original article by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation

As we all do more tasks such as shopping and banking on our computers, tablets, and smartphones, the need to keep our devices and networks secured has never been more important. Just as your home has locks to deter criminals from stealing your personal belongings, your electronic assets need to be properly protected to prevent theft. Otherwise, it’s like leaving your front door wide open.

Here are tips for cybersecurity:

Use a firewall program – A firewall is a combination of hardware and software that establishes a barrier between your personal computer and an external network, such as the internet, and then monitors and controls incoming and outgoing network traffic.

Keep software up to date – Software manufacturers continually update their products to fix vulnerabilities or security weaknesses when they find them. This includes everything from your operating system and word processing software to your internet browsers and digital photography software.

Use security products from reputable companies – Some anti-virus software and firewalls can be purchased while others are free. Either way, it’s a good idea to check out these products by reading reviews from computer and consumer publications. Use products that have high ratings for detecting problems and providing support if your computer becomes infected.

Plan for a lengthy retirement – The good news is people are living longer. The bad news is many aren’t saving enough for retirement to match their life expectancy. According to the Social Security Administration, men and women who reach the age of 65 can expect to live until ages 84.3 and 86.6, respectively.

This only a fraction of the steps you can take to secure your electronic assets and home network. For the complete list, click here.