American Exchange Bank
News & Updates

09 Mar October is Cyber Security Month!

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announces the 14^th National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM). Observed every October, NCSAM is an opportunity to raise awareness about the growing importance of cybersecurity and equip the American public with tools and resources to protect themselves online.

Every American is a valuable part of the cybersecurity chain, including our children, workers, older individuals, and students. DHS is doing its part to help American stay safer online through cybersecurity education, events, and resources. We want to empower our citizens to have the skills and knowledge they need to avoid cyber threats every day.

From connecting with friends on social networks to managing our finances online, Americans enjoy the convenience and efficiency of their digital lives, but these benefits aren’t without risks. Ther personal information that we share online while banking, shopping, and posting on social media presents a huge opportunity for cyber criminals to steal our sensitive data to commit crimes.

As more online scams, frauds, and data breaches threaten our digital lives, it is critical that everyone makes cybersecurity a priority. You don’t have to be technically “savvy” to stay safe online – even small actions can make a huge difference in avoiding cyber threats. To help protect yourself online, the Department of Homeland Security encourages you to follow these simple tips.

• Lock down your login. Usernames and passwords are often not enough to protect important accounts like email, banking, and social media. Fortify your accounts by enabling the strongest authentication tools available, such as multi-factor authentication for your online accounts and fingerprint identification and security keys to lock your mobile device.
• Keep a clean machine. Regularly update the software on your Internet-connected devices, including PCs, smartphones, and tablets, to reduce the risk of infection from malware.
• Treat peronal information like money. Information about you, such as your purchase history and location, has value – just like money. Protect your data by being cautious about how your information is collected by appss and websites.
• Own your online presence. Control and limit who can see your information online by checking the privacy and security settings on your accounts and apps. Anything you post publicly could potentially be seen by a cyber criminal, so keep your personal information private.
• Share with care. Think before posting about yourself and others online. Consider what a post reveals, who might see it, and how it could be perceived now and in the future.