Illinois residents are being encouraged to take steps to protect their personal information online as Governor JB Pritzker has proclaimed October as Cybersecurity Awareness Month in Illinois.
The Illinois Department of Innovation and Technology is reminding residents that a few simple steps can help reduce the risk of online scams, identity theft and financial loss. The state’s guidance also highlights the growing risks posed by cyberattacks and advances in artificial intelligence.
One of the most important steps is learning to recognize suspicious messages. Scammers may send emails, text messages or social media messages that appear to come from a bank, government agency, business or even a family member. These messages may urge people to act quickly, click a link or provide personal information.
Residents should avoid clicking unexpected links or opening suspicious attachments. If a message claims there is a problem with a bank account or bill, contact the company directly using a verified phone number or website instead of responding to the message.
Strong passwords are another important line of defense. Experts recommend using long, unique passwords or passphrases for each account. A password manager can help keep track of them. Using the same password across multiple websites can put several accounts at risk if one is compromised.
Residents should also enable multifactor authentication whenever it is available. This security feature requires an additional step to verify a person’s identity, making it harder for someone to access an account with a stolen password alone.
Keeping phones, computers, web browsers and apps updated is another way to improve online safety. Software updates often include security fixes that help protect devices from known threats.
The state also encourages residents to monitor bank and credit card accounts for unfamiliar charges or other suspicious activity. People should be cautious about online offers that seem too good to be true and should never share sensitive information in response to an unexpected request.
Cybersecurity is also a family conversation. Parents and caregivers can talk with children about privacy, suspicious links, online strangers and the importance of asking a trusted adult for help when something does not seem right.
For more information and additional online safety tips, visit the Illinois Department of Innovation and Technology at https://doit.illinois.gov/ or the federal government’s cybersecurity resources at https://www.ready.gov/cybersecurity.
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