JEFFERSON CITY – Everyone has heard the saying, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” But digital criminals, now often armed with artificial intelligence, have made that pound a whole lot heavier than it used to be. Having your system hacked or otherwise compromised can wreak untold havoc on your time, your nerves, your mental health and your operation.
A session presented by A.J. Ziegler, IT security specialist at Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance, at the Indiana Ag Threats and Security Summit, spelled out several simple best practices you can implement to prevent thieves from stealing your information:
Use different passwords for different accounts. “Using the same password for all your accounts is one of the worst things you can do online,” Ziegler said. If a hacker can find out your one password, they can access all your accounts. Instead, have a different, unique password for each of your accounts.
Use long passwords. “Length is king,” Ziegler said. He recommended using at least 16 characters, with 20 or 30 being even better — much harder for hackers to crack. Consider using a phrase.
“Using a phrase from a song can make them easier to make up and memorize,” Ziegler added. Also, change your passwords yearly.
Use a password manager. Trying to remember a hundred different, unique passwords is not realistic. Instead, use an online password manager to keep track of them. It’s safe and much easier. And if you’re “old school,” write them down.
Use two-factor verification. Consider using a service that verifies your identity through a third-party application. Having that extra layer of security can be a pain, but it’s a very worthwhile pain.
“If hackers can figure out your password, having two-step verification can stop 99% of them in their tracks,” Ziegler said.
Think prevention. Make sure you have a firewall installed on your devices and good antivirus software. And nurture your “suspicious side.” If something doesn’t seem quite right, it probably isn’t.
Keep systems up to date. When your device prompts you with an update, don’t ignore it. Having your systems up to date keeps you supplied with the latest protection against hacking.
If in doubt, call. If you get an email from your bank or a text from the post office, for example, saying there’s a problem and instructing you to “click here for more information,” be careful. Making a call to the organization or visiting their official website will put you in touch with the real source, rather than dealing with a potential scammer.
Be aware of how AI is changing the game. Say your daughter has gone to a concert. AI-enabled criminals can now use her social media accounts to create a video of her screaming and call you demanding ransom. If this should happen, call your daughter to find out for yourself where she is. While this example may be extreme, it illustrates what is possible today.
Stay calm. In cases of phishing — a hacker pretending to be a company or organization to steal your information — or in the previous scenario, the criminals want you to panic and immediately call the number on your screen or otherwise react to their demands. Instead, take a step back and a deep breath, and then carefully plan your next move.
If you’re over 65, be extra cautious. Beware, as would-be scammers are specifically targeting your age group. Also, if you’re not particularly tech-savvy, find someone who is to make sure your digital practices are not putting you at risk.
Create a “digital legacy.” Set up Google Drive or OneDrive so a person you choose has access to all your digital information after you die.