Resources and tips to protect yourself and your family
- Train yourself and your family: Awareness is the first and most important step. You need to be aware of the threats and be ready to defend yourself or your children.
- StaySafeOnline.org
- Federal Trade Commission Consumer Information – Privacy, Identity & Online Security
- Add defenses against malware: Malware protection is not a silver bullet. It is an additional layer of protection that is there in case you are tricked into downloading malware to your device.
- Malware Protection
- Content Filtering (including malware)
- Home Internet Security from OpenDNS
- Online file/website analyzer
- Leverage VirusTotal to analyze suspicious files or URLs
- Keep your software trusted and up-to-date: Trusted software is from reputable companies, including the vendor that made your operating system. Also, make sure that you are downloading it from a trusted source (like the website of the vendor). If not, you are running the risk of downloading a trojan horse. The next step is to keep your software up-to-date. Leverage automatic updating features as much as possible.
- Configure your computer for automatic updates (Windows, Mac)
- Personal Software Inspector (free)
Resources if you are a victim of cyber crime
- File a report with your local police department and also submit a report to the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)