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Top 10 Cybersecurity and Privacy Resolutions 🔥

December 30, 2019

Weekly Blaze PodcastEpisode 101December 30 2019

Top 10Cybersecurity and PrivacyResolutions

The holidays may be nearly over but it's not too late to get yourself a little something to protect your privacy. And I have the perfect thing...a Silent Pocket Faraday bag for your smart phone or laptop. A Faraday bag blocks all wireless signal and if you want the best on the market, you need to be buying one from Silent Pocket. Visit

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In this end of the year episode I wanted to provide some resolutions that you can start the new year off by making your cybersecurity and privacy a priority. So here are the top 10 cybersecurity and privacy resolutions that you should make this year:

#1 - Use a password manager

Now there are many choices when it comes to password managers, but It really doesn’t matter which one you choose, the one built into your browser, paid / not paid, open source, commercial...just use something. That way you don't ever have to remember a password, write it down, or fall into the trap of using the same easy to guess password for everything. Weak or guessable passwords are the number one way people get hacked so don't become a victim in 2020.

#2 - Create complex and unique passwords with, guess what, your password manager!

I want you to think of any easy to guess or throw-away passwords that you've used in the past, especially for the apps you use the most, like your personal email, banking and social media apps like Facebook, and any home automation, surveillance camera's like Ring, and other Internet connected systems to your home. Now visit each of these apps or sites and look for the option to change your password. Let the password manager generate a unique and complex password for you, make your updates and move on to sites that may not be as critical. Before you know it, you'll be on your way to having your password manager do all the heavy lifting and automating your password management.

#3 - While you're in the habit of changing these weak passwords, enable two-factor or multi-factor authentication on any app or service that has it available.

Most likely your email, bank, social media and other critical apps have this feature available so always enable this feature if you have the option.

#4 - Keep everything patched and updated including your smartphone, laptop, and all those Internet of Things devices.

It goes without saying that vulnerabilities are always being exploited by attackers so one of the best defenses is to always keep your devices up to date so that it becomes harder for an attacker gain access to data on your devices.

#5 - Stop talking about private things in public!

I'm talking about ordering something with a credit card over the phone, talking about your medical history with your doctor, and other things that reveal too much information about you, which can make you a target! This also goes for your social media posts. Remember to consider everything you post as public because you never know who might be listening or watching your posts…Hi Mom!

#6 - Use privacy protection devices like a privacy screen for your laptop while you travel, web cam covers for your laptop (don’t forget about the camera on your phone too), and use a Faraday bag when you're not using your smart phone or laptop

.

Physical protection devices like these is another defensive layer between you and a potential thief or attacker.

#7 - Be more proactive to preventing credit card fraud.

So that means, stop using your debit card for purchases and use a more secure method to pay at the cashier like Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, or Google Pay! Check your credit card statements every month and set up fraud alerts on your credit and debit cards. Oh, and if you haven't done so already…freeze your credit as this is one of the best ways to prevent identity theft!

#8 - Use a web browser like the new version of Firefox that has blocking of third-party trackers enabled by default.

Also, use ad blockers like

and

. Using browsers like Firefox and privacy focused plugins like these keep information about you and your browsing habits private.

#9 - Don't click on links in email or text messages unless you absolutely know who the message was from.

Always verify strange emails or texts that come from people you trust through another method like calling them on the phone…yes, people can still use the phone. And don't forget, trust your gut instinct. If a message seems phishy, it probably is.

#10 - Don't pick up the phone from callers that you don't recognize!

To take this a step further, turn on features on your iPhone or Android that send all unknown calls to voicemail. Phone scams are running rampant and this is only going to increase next year until the FCC and the major telco carriers start to implement measures to prevent these calls in the first place.

to many of the tools, tips, and techniques I've mentioned in this episode. Since this is our last episode of the year I want to personally thank you all for making this year a huge success for the podcast and I wish you and your family a happy and secure new year.

DecemberMonthly ShowEpisode 95In episode 95 of our monthly show we're joined by special guest Rebecca Herold, the "Privacy Professor". Rebecca is a well known expert in the privacy and cybersecurity community and gives us an update on what she's been working on, what her thoughts are on the current state of privacy regulations (CCPA, GLBA, etc), and what we may see in 2020 from a privacy perspective. We also talk about Rebecca's favorite books and her encounter with famed author Cliff Stoll who wrote "The Cuckoo's Egg".

Watch this episode on our YouTube Channel!

Top 10 Episodesof 2019

We've had a fantastic year bringing you the latest cybersecurity and privacy topics and news. Thank you for being a listener and supporting the show!

If you haven't listened to our most downloaded episodes from the year, here's your chance. Click the link below to listen to each episode and share with your friends!

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