Cybersecurity is the art of protecting networks, devices, and data from unauthorized access or criminal use in order to ensure confidentiality and integrity of information. We rely heavily on technology every single day; it is imperative that our personal information is protected from malicious outside sources. There are many risks to having poor cybersecurity, such as an attacker altering files, using your computer to attack others, or stealing your credit card information and making unauthorized purchases. There is no guarantee that even with the best precautions some of these attacks won’t happen to you, but there are steps that you can take to minimize the chances.  To minimize the risks of cyberattacks, follow these basic cybersecurity best practices:

• Keep software up to date. Install software patches so that attackers cannot take advantage of known problems or vulnerabilities. Many operating systems offer automatic updates.
• Run up-to-date antivirus software. A reputable antivirus software application is an important protective measure against known malicious threats. It can automatically detect and remove various types of threats.
• Use strong passwords that will be difficult for attackers to guess and use different passwords for different programs and devices.

• Implement multifactor authentication (MFA) to validate your identity when logging into confidential sites. MFA uses at least two identity components to authenticate a user’s identity, minimizing the risk of a cyber attacker gaining access to an account if they know the username and password.
• Install a firewall to prevent some types of attacks. Firewalls block malicious traffic before it can enter a computer system. And restricts unnecessary outbound communications.
• Be suspicious of unexpected emails. Phishing emails are currently one of the most prevalent risks to the average user. The goal of a phishing email is to gain information about you, steal money from you, or install malicious software on your device.

All these practices help to reduce the risk of cyber-attacks and protect against any unauthorized exploitation of systems, networks, and technologies.