8 Billion Passwords Leaked Online

You've read it in the news before, I've talked about it in my classes and even in this weekly tip several times, but today's tip comes as a result of this past week's headline:  8 Billion Passwords Leak Online.

Several months ago I shared a website you can use to check if your username/password have been leaked. I also suggested a couple of things you can do to make your accounts more secure. You can re-read that post here. https://tuesdaytechtidbit.blogspot.com/2021/03/has-your-personal-information-been.html

With this recent news of leaked passwords, I'd suggest reviewing your passwords and changing if necessary:
1) If you use Chrome as your browser, go to Chrome - Preferences - Passwords - Check Passwords.  That will reveal any accounts with weak security.
2) If you're using Safari, go to Safari - Preferences - Passwords.  You will see a list of accounts and passwords and a warning sign will be displayed by any that are weak or used multiple times.

Being active online carries responsibility.  It is easy to become complacent, but staying actively involved in the management of your passwords is so very important for your security.

Breach Report

It is your responsibility to keep yourself safe online, and education is your best defense!

Hackers are working 24/7 to "steal" names, addresses, email addresses and passwords.  Why? Profits are to be made by selling this information on the dark web.

What can you do about it?
1) Become informed.  Use Breach Report regularly to check your email address(es).  It is free to use and a service that is regularly monitoring the dark web for compromised data.  It not only shows you when your data was breached but also the company or website and the password that was being used by you at that time.  Breach Report continually monitors the dark web to provide this information. Definitely worth checking out!

2) Have good password management: use unique passwords for each account and consider using a password manager (like Last Pass)

3) Use 2-Factor Authentication whenever possible (in addition to your email and password, an additional piece of information is required for logins).

4) Use a decoy email address (created in Gmail) to use when you're not sure about giving out your "real" address

The internet is such an integral part of our lives that it is imperative we do all that we can to keep ourselves safe online.  Starting today.

Have a terrific Tech Tuesday wherever this may find you - in the sunshine, heat or maybe even where it is cool on this late spring day.

Be safe in 2018!

We've talked about it before....protecting our digital privacy.  But, it seems there are always questions.  So, let's review 5 ways to protect your digital privacy in 2018:

1) Keep all of your devices updated.  Updates often contain "patches" to repair your phone or computer's security vulnerability.

2)  Use two-factor authentication(TFA).  Yes, this means an extra step to login in to accounts, but is well worth your time.  Don't know how to?  This article will give you some tips.

3) Freeze your credit. (remember our conversations after the Equifax debacle?)

4) Install a password manager. (Lyle Hayslett has used one for several years and highly recommends it!)

5) Make privacy a priority; don't just automatically give your computer or your phone "access" to your contacts or to other apps.  Take a look at your settings on Facebook, on your browser, and at your privacy settings on your smartphone.

If you'd like more detail about the 5 items above, check out this great article from Consumer Reports.