Practice good cyber hygiene
All Texans should remain vigilant and practice good cyber hygiene, which starts with everyday habits. Check out these resources from the Texas Department of Information Resources (DIR) and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) to get you started.
Cybersecurity best practices
Consider these strong cyber practices in your everyday life:
- Do not open suspicious or unexpected links or attachments in emails.
- Hover over hyperlinks in emails to verify they are going to the anticipated site.
- Be aware of malicious actors attempting to impersonate legitimate staff and check the email sender name against the sender's email address.
- Use unique strong passwords or passphrases for all accounts.
- Do not provide personal or organizational information unless you are certain of the requestor's authority, identity, and legitimacy.
- Alert your IT staff or supervisor if you have any concerns about the legitimacy of any email, attachment, or link.
- Take advantage of available cybersecurity awareness training.
Online shopping
Follow these online shopping tips to reduce your risk of fraudulent activity:
- Shop only on websites you trust. Look for “https” in the web address and a lock icon in your browser’s address bar.
- Avoid clicking on links in unsolicited emails or text messages offering deals. Go directly to the retailer’s website instead.
- Use a credit card rather than a debit card for online purchases. Credit cards generally offer stronger fraud protections.
- Monitor your bank and credit card statements regularly for unauthorized charges.
- Be cautious of deals that seem too good to be true - they often are.
More resources
Cybersecurity awareness program
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) provides guidance to help Americans strengthen their cyber defenses and reduce their exposure to attacks such as ransomware, phishing, and malware. The CISA Cybersecurity Awareness Program is a national public awareness effort aimed at increasing the understanding of cyber threats and empowering the American public to be safer and more secure online.
Protect your information
Anything you do or send online leaves behind a trail of data but there are ways for you to protect your information.
Understand online tracking
Learn how and why websites track you. Get information and consumer advice from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
Control your privacy settings
You can limit how much information websites and apps collect about you.
- Delete your browsing history, cookies, and search history regularly.
- Adjust your browser’s privacy settings to block or limit tracking. Most browsers offer a private browsing mode that deletes your history after each session.
- Review the privacy settings on your phone and turn off unnecessary app permissions, such as location access and access to your contacts or photos.
- Check your social media account settings to see how your information is being used and shared.
- Opt out of personalized ads through your browser, phone, and streaming device settings.
- When you visit a website that shows a cookie notice, choose the option that best fits your privacy preferences.
- Consider using an ad blocker or browser extension from a reputable source to limit tracking and unwanted ads.
Check and manage your digital footprint
Although you can’t use the internet completely undetected, you can manage your digital footprint and protect your data privacy. Find out more with this guide from the National Cybersecurity Alliance.
Stay safe while working remotely
Working from home or a public location introduces additional cybersecurity risks. Review this guidance from the Texas Department of Information Resources (DIR) to help protect your devices, data, and networks. Get cyber hygiene tips for remote workers.
Secure your workspace
- Keep your workspace clean and do not leave documents unattended or visible to unauthorized people, including family members and roommates.
- Lock your computer and phone when you step away, even briefly. Set devices to lock automatically after a few minutes of inactivity.
- Make sure confidential phone calls and video meetings cannot be overheard.
- Keep your work and personal activities separate. Review your organization’s acceptable use policy before using a work device for personal tasks.
- Do not download sensitive work documents to your personal computer.
- Log off all work devices and remote platforms at the end of the workday.
Protect your internet connection
- Connect to the internet only through a trusted, password-protected network such as your home Wi-Fi.
- Avoid connecting to public Wi-Fi in coffee shops, libraries, or other shared locations whenever possible.
- Turn off automatic Wi-Fi connections on your devices so you don’t accidentally join an unsecured network.
- Always use your organization’s Virtual Private Network (VPN) when connecting over public or unsecured Wi-Fi.
- Only visit websites you know and trust. Do not click on suspicious emails, links, or attachments.
- Do not share your device or password with anyone.
- If you experience a security incident, disconnect from Wi-Fi immediately and contact your IT help desk.
Use multi-factor authentication
In addition to your username and password, multi-factor authentication (MFA) lets verify your identity with a second credential. This could be a code sent via text message, a push notification from a smartphone app, or another method. Contact your IT help desk to see if MFA is available for your accounts.
Help kids and teens stay safe online
Children and teens face unique risks online - cyberbullying, exposure to inappropriate content, and scams that target young users. Parents, teachers, and caregivers can help by talking to children and teens about online safety and setting clear rules for internet use.
Cyberbullying
Cyberbullying is bullying that takes place over digital devices like cell phones, computers, and tablets. It includes sending, posting, or sharing negative, harmful, false, or mean content about someone else. It can also include sharing personal or private information to cause embarrassment or humiliation. Some cyberbullying crosses the line into unlawful or criminal behavior.
The most common places where cyberbullying occurs include:
- social media platforms,
- text messaging and messaging apps,
- online forums and chat rooms,
- email, and
- online gaming communities.
Cyberbullying can be persistent (happening 24 hours a day through digital devices), permanent (most information shared electronically is public and lasting), and hard to notice (parents and teachers may not see it happening). All states have laws requiring schools to respond to bullying, and many include cyberbullying under those laws.
More tips to keep kids and teens safe
- Talk to your children about the risks they may encounter online, including scams, inappropriate content, and strangers who may try to contact them.
- Set clear rules about which websites, apps, and games your children can use.
- Review the privacy settings on your child’s devices and accounts to limit what information is shared publicly.
- Encourage your children to come to you if they experience anything online that makes them uncomfortable.
- Monitor your child’s online activity in an age-appropriate way.