Santa Cruz Techies

We've detected multiple factors contributing to hacks and malware.

Here are our top findings for common contributors to hacks (things NOT to do):

1. Clicking on links in emails. We don't always know if the email is "real" or a phishing email (it looks like a real email from your bank but is actually from a scammer pretending to be your bank).

2. Easy-to-guess or easy-to-crack passwords. Short passwords without complex characters are easier to guess or crack. Avoid using passwords like "Jane123" or "Dave05121965." Instead, try using passwords like "Random-Words-Skies-Walls-Black-46$". You can check the strength of your passwords at: https://www.security.org/how-secure-is-my-password/.

3. Visiting suspicious websites (and clicking on links inside those websites).

4. Malware and ransomware from external devices or old backups.

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Some defensive methods we suggest:

1. Try to avoid opening links you receive in emails, even if they include your bank's logo or appear to be from a relative or friend.

2. Before clicking on links in your emails, hover (move your mouse without clicking) over the link to see if the address leads to the organization's domain (for example, "BankOne" might have a legitimate link like ads.bankone.com, but NOT a link like bankone.fakewebsite.com).

3. Change weak passwords to stronger ones.

4. Use a trusted password manager or password vault. Such programs can help you manage your passwords seamlessly without needing to remember them. Password managers are essential for everyone because no one can remember all their passwords (and yes, even if you have a "special system" for managing passwords in your head, it doesn’t work for all websites).

5. Bitwarden and KeePass are considered trusted providers.