CYBERSECURITY AWARENESS
SUMMARY
With rising rates of cybercrime, it’s more important than ever to secure your devices and personal information.
A GROWING THREAT
Information breaches and cyber fraud continue to increase in frequency and sophistication as the world becomes more digital. Even large firms like IBM, Verizon, and the FBI have been attacked by hackers, and the number of identity theft reports doubled in 2020 from 2019 to 1.4 million. According to Help Net Security, malware increased by 358% in 2020, and security company PurpleSec reported a 600% increase in cybercrime, particularly phishing email schemes, due to the pandemic.
We at Day Hagan take cybersecurity very seriously and have procedures in place that we review on a regular basis. We use several layers of security for our computer systems that are monitored on an ongoing basis by our IT company, and all of our emails utilize strong encryption. To help us keep your data safe, we recommend you implement the following practices into your own cybersecurity protocol:
Improve your password security by choosing strong passwords and changing them frequently.
Set up multi-factor authentication where possible.
Don’t click on any links or websites with which you are unfamiliar.
Beware of phone and email phishing scams (when a hacker tries to trick you into divulging personal information or opening infected software). Evaluating grammar, context, and metadata can help you discern legitimacy. Err on the side of caution.
Monitor your account activity.
Back up your data.
Install a firewall and anti-virus protection on your devices.
Keep up with security software updates.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE BEEN HACKED
If you think you have been hacked or suspect any illegitimate activity in your email or accounts, please contact us immediately. We are able to flag your accounts for extra review of any activity within them and will be on alert for any fraudulent emails we might receive from your compromised email address. Review the activity in your accounts and notify all financial institutions with which you do business to let them know your identity has been put at risk. Note the date, time, and name of those to whom you speak. To ensure your computer is clean, run an anti-virus program or scanner, such as AVG or Malwarebytes, to search for and clean up any threats. Once the device has scanned clean, change your passwords, including for accounts that may have payment history, such as Amazon, PayPal, and utilities.
Cybersecurity is an ongoing effort, but with a little diligence, you can minimize your risk of breaches and fraud.
Natalie Brown, CFP®
Director of Client Services
Day Hagan Private Wealth
—Written 11.19.2021.
Print PDF Copy of the Article: Day Hagan Private Wealth Insights: Cybersecurity Awareness (pdf)
Disclosure: The data and analysis contained herein are provided “as is” and without warranty of any kind, either express or implied. Day Hagan Private Wealth (DHPW), any of its affiliates or employees, or any third-party data provider, shall not have any liability for any loss sustained by anyone who has relied on the information contained in any Day Hagan Private Wealth literature or marketing materials. All opinions expressed herein are subject to change without notice, and you should always obtain current information and perform due diligence before investing.
Investment advisory services offered through Donald L. Hagan, LLC, a SEC registered investment advisory firm. Accounts held at Raymond James and Associates, Inc. (member FINRA, SIPC) and Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (member FINRA, SIPC). Day Hagan Asset Management and Day Hagan Private Wealth are both dbas of Donald L. Hagan, LLC.