During National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, TCU wants to help you “own” your digital life. Learn more about how to protect yourself and your personal information.</P> </DIV> <DIV class="blog-detail-header-meta"> <UL> <LI>October 08, 2019</LI> <LI id="ctl00_ctl00_BasePlc_MainPlc_ctl00_CategoryItem"><A id="ctl00_ctl00_BasePlc_MainPlc_ctl00_CategoryLink" href="/About/The-Latest?Category=News Release">News Release</A></LI> </UL> </DIV> </DIV> <DIV class="blog-detail-body"> <P>Cybercriminals are always developing new ways to access personal information online. October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month with the theme, “Own IT. Secure IT. Protect IT.” TCU wants to help members stay safe by securing computers, phones, tablets, smart thermostats and even cars — all devices that could be susceptible to being breached.<BR/> <BR/> This week we’ll look at how you can<STRONG> Own IT. </STRONG>Here are steps to help keep your personal information secure online:</P> <UL> <LI><STRONG>Stay Up to Date.</STRONG> Keep the software on all your devices updated to the latest version to protect against viruses and malware. <BR/> </LI> <LI><B>Update Privacy Settings.</B> Ensure that the information you share on social media reaches only those you intend to see it and disable geotagging so that cybercriminals will not know where you are — and where you aren’t.<BR/> </LI> <LI><STRONG>Track Your Apps.</STRONG> Many devices, including home appliances and toys, are now supported mobile apps that may be sharing personal information without your knowledge. Check the permissions and click “no” to intrusive requests.<BR/> </LI> <LI><STRONG>Be Proactive with Password Protection.</STRONG> Using varied and creative passwords customized for different sites will help protect your information from hackers. Enable mutli-factor authentication whenever it’s an option.<BR/> </LI> <LI><STRONG>Never Share Personal or Account Information.</STRONG> If a business contacts you and asks for personal information, do not provide it, and contact that business directly and make them aware of the suspicious. <STRONG>Remember, TCU will never call, email or text you to ask for your personal or account information.</STRONG></LI> </UL> <P><BR/> To learn more about how to protect yourself, <A href="https://protect-us.mimecast.com/s/vND1C73O7QsAoQo4uN0b6Y?domain=click.teachers.creditunion" title="visit NICCS website"><STRONG>visit StaySafeOnline.org