CYBER AWARENESS TIPS

When using any online service, it is important to keep your personal information safe and secure. Some precautions that can be taken are….

Use strong passwords with upper and lower, letters, numbers, and special characters. Do not use common words or personal info.
Do not click on suspicious links or download from unknown sources. Be careful of requests for personal and financial info, as they may be scams.
It is essential to regularly update your software and devices to safeguard against potential new threats.
Avoid public networks for sensitive activities. Connect only to trusted, password protected networks to protect against hackers.
Be cautious when sharing personal information online. Adjust privacy settings on social media.

Social Media Spoofing

Have you ever heard of spoofing? Spoofing is when scammers copy information from a social media account, such as the user’s name, location, and photo’s, to create look-alike accounts of that user. Then from the spoofed account, the scammers send connection requests to everyone on the original account’s list. Usually this is then followed up with a message to users with an excuse, such as “Sorry, I got hacked and had to make a new account!”, to make the fake account more convincing.

How can I Spot a Spoofed Account?

Be cautious of any links sent through social media. Especially those that are off-topic, unusual, or outlandish such as gossip videos, dramatic news articles, or fabulous prizes.
If you are being asked for money - it is probably a scam. If you feel the request may be legitimate, validate who you are speaking with and request proof of their claims.
Do not trust connection requests or a suspicious message from someone who you are already connected with. Before responding, try to contact the person through a different form of communication like phone, text, or email.
If you suspect that an account is a spoof of a real account, alert the owner of the legitimate account and report the suspicious account to the platform's customer service department.

How Can I Prevent My Account from Being Spoofed?

Keep your account private. While this does not hide your information completely, it greatly reduces your chances of being spoofed.
Social media platforms have numerous security options that can easily be overlooked.Review and edit your privacy settings to be sure your information is kept private.
Only accept connection requests from people you know and are comfortable sharing your posts with.