We have all seen the warnings about oversharing on social media, but often disregard them. Instead give serious consideration to the dangers of revealing too much about yourself. When traveling keep details about your trip private.

Posting pictures of your plane ticket, boarding pass, passport, Visa, hotel name and location, trip itinerary and other information is a huge security risk. This information contains the details a cybercriminal needs to carry out fraud, identity theft and burglary.

Criminals can use the information found on a boarding pass, including barcodes to alter your reservation and possibly gain access to your frequent flyer miles.

They can use the details found on your passport or Visa to replicate the documents and gather personal information which can lead to fraud and identity theft.

When you post trip details while you are away, this lets criminals know that you home is unoccupied which can lead to break-ins. A study published in TIME Magazine found that nearly 80% of burglars scour social media platforms to plan their next heist. When they find you are away it opens the door for theft (literally) and alerts criminals that your home, cars, and other belongings are unguarded. 

Don’t enable location services for social media sites, and don’t add location tags which is like broadcasting your location.

If your social media profile includes details like your hometown, birthdate, workplace, current city and other personal details cybercriminals can harvest that information and piece it together with other information they gather from data breaches and other online resources to create a detailed profile on you which can be used for fraud and identity theft.

According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) one in four people who reported losing money to fraud said the scheme started on social media. In a 2-year period losses from fraud reached $2.7 billion.

When you snap a photo with your phone it may automatically contain geotags with your exact GPS coordinates. That means if you take a picture with your phone and post it online you are essentially broadcasting your location to the world. Turn location tags off in your phone settings to protect your privacy.

You should also avoid connecting to public Wi-Fi during a trip. These networks are dangerous and an easy target for hackers who can intercept and steal the data that is transmitted over the network. If you must use public Wi-Fi, use a virtual private network (VPN), which adds an extra layer of protection when you go online. And don’t visit any websites where you are required to login such as your email, bank or credit card company.

Oversharing in general should be avoided. Keep the details of your trip private.

If online security is not something you think about often it should be, we not only spend a great deal of time online, but we manage much of our life online as well. Our online activities can include banking and managing our financial accounts, paying bills, accessing our medical records, shopping and more.

Here are some suggestions for staying safe online.

Passwords and MFA

Use the strongest security settings that are available for all of your online accounts. Most sites now offer MFA (Multifactor Authentication) This adds an additional layer of security to your accounts, instead of needing just a password to login you will need a second and possibly third method of authentication before you can access your account.

Choose a strong password for every site and never use the same password twice. Use a password manager to protect your login information. Most password managers come with a password generator that will create a strong password for you. A password should contain a mix of upper and lowercase letters, numbers and special characters and should be as long as possible. Change your passwords several times a year and anytime there is a security breach, or you believe someone may have access to your account.

Assign a strong password to log into your computer and protect your mobile phone and other devices with a secure login method.

Watch Where You Shop

Online stores are everywhere and almost every website you visit contains ad’s and popups to online shopping sites, but be careful where you shop and what you click on. Never shop at a site you are not sure of or one that seems questionable, the web address should show a padlock symbol and begin with “https” to indicate it is secure.

Only shop on well-known and familiar websites. Clicking a random link or ad can lead you to a malicious site which may look completely genuine but is run by criminals.

You can check a site at The Better Business Bureau and use their Scam Tracker to report and lookup scams.

Limit the information you provide to online shopping sites. There is no reason an online store needs to know your birthday, middle name, or any other personal details. You should only need to provide your payment information, name and address.  

Never shop when connected to public Wi-Fi where your information can easily be intercepted and stolen.

Always use a credit card, never a debit card to make online purchases. Credit cards offer better protection and are not directly linked to your bank account. You might consider getting a credit card with a lower credit limit strictly for online shopping, keeping it separate from your other credit card accounts.

Don’t save your payment information online. If a website is compromised any information saved in your account can be stolen.

Avoid Using Public Wi-Fi & Public Computers

Public Wi-Fi is everywhere, stores, coffee shops, the airport, hotels and more, but public Wi-Fi is not secure, and it is an easy target for hackers. If you must connect to public Wi-Fi never visit any sites that require you to login like email, banking and other financial sites.  And use a VPN (Virtual Private Network) to prevent criminals from accessing your private data.

Avoid using public computers. These computers are often loaded with keystroke loggers and other malware so anything you do on the computer can be seen and stolen.

Avoid Suspicious Links & Attachments

Don’t click on any links or attachments in email or text messages you are unsure of. These can direct you to malicious websites designed to steal your information and infect your devices with malware.

Don’t Share Personal Information

Social media is dangerous. Users often share far too much information about themselves, and the information can be used to steal your money and your identity. It can put your personal safety at risk and can lead to home robberies and other malicious activities. Anything you post or share resides on the social media sites server and can be copied and shared by other users. Even if you delete something you post it is still out there forever. Criminals scan social media sites and harvest information, they can pair that information with other data they have gathered about you from security breaches and other online sources and build a detailed profile on you which can be used for identity theft and other criminal activity. The less you share the better.

Keep Your Computer & Other Devices Up to Date

Install operating system and app updates as soon as they are available. These updates keep you safe by patching security holes and vulnerabilities. They also improve performance and install new features.

Be Careful What You Download

Be careful when installing new programs and apps. Make sure you are getting the software from a reputable source. Malware is often hidden in software downloads.

Be Careful Meeting People Online

Many times, people you meet online are not who they claim to be. Fake profiles on social media, dating apps and other sites are a way for scammers to make a connection and trick you into providing personal and financial information which can lead to financial and identity theft and even physical harm.

Install Antivirus Software & Keep it Updated

Antivirus software protects you against viruses and malware. It cannot protect you against every online threat, but it can detect and remove most malicious software.

Adjust Security Settings

Marketers and hackers use security vulnerabilities in your browser to target you with ad’s, install malware and steal your information. Web browsers and mobile operating systems have security settings designed to protect you online. Websites also have their own security settings to enhance your privacy and keep your data safe. Enable the most restrictive security settings in your browser and on the websites you use to keep your data protected.

Backup Your Data

Protect your computer, mobile phone and other devices by having a backup plan in place so that your data is regularly and automatically backed up. Ideally you want three or more copies of your important data. The main copy and at least two other copies in completely separate physical locations such as an external hard drive or file server. When data loss happens, you want to be able to quickly and easily restore it.

Freeze Your Credit & Check Your Credit Reports

Freeze your credit with the three major credit bureaus, Equifax, Transunion and Experian and check your credit reports often. Freezing your credit is one of the best ways to protect yourself against identity theft. When your reports are frozen no one can pull your reports or open lines of credit in your name. You are entitled to a free copy of your credit reports with all three agencies. Look at your reports to ensure they are accurate and don’t contain any errors or false information which could indicate identity theft. Go to Annual Credit Report to get your free reports.

Review Your Financial Accounts

Review your bank, credit card and other financial account statements monthly so that you spot any errors or unusual charges or other activity. Setup alerts on all of your accounts so that you are aware of any activity that takes place like withdrawals, password changes or other events. Sign up for digital delivery so that your statements, invoices and other correspondence is sent digitally instead of through the Post Office. Mail theft is a major problem, mail is stolen from personal mailboxes and the USPS collection boxes.

Shred Documents Containing Financial and Personal Information

Don’t throw documents containing personal information in the trash before shredding them. Anything that contains your full name, phone number, address, Social Security number, bank account information or other private data should be shredded. Examples are ATM receipts, bank and credit card statements, bills and invoices, pay stubs, credit card offers and old credit and debit cards.

Learning how to recognize phishing, vishing and smishing attempts will help protect you against fraud and identity theft. As technology advances, cybercriminals use more sophisticated tactics to try to trick you into providing personal and financial information to commit fraud.

How to Recognize a Phishing Scam

Phishing is when a criminal uses bait to catch a “fish” the fish being the victim of their attack. They attempt to steal private information such as usernames and passwords, Social Security numbers, financial account information and other data that is then used for malicious purposes, often financial and identity theft.

Phishing is carried out through email, social media or malicious websites.  Scammers can impersonate legitimate financial institutions, businesses and government agencies.

Warning Signs of Phishing

• Any type of contact through email, social media or other websites that ask for personal information should be a huge red flag.
• The messages are often designed to create a sense of urgency, making you feel like you must act right away to avoid negative consequences. The messages may look very legitimate like they are coming from your bank, credit card company, business or government agency, they may contain company logos and branding that make them look real.
• The messages may contain attachments or links that when clicked prompt you to provide personal details.
• The messages often contain poor grammar and spelling errors.
• The message may begin with a general greeting, rather than your name.
• They may contain a demand for payment or invoice you don’t recognize.
• If the message offers a prize, free tickets or money, limited time deals, contest winnings or other offers it is almost certainly a scam.

How to Recognize a Vishing Scam

Vishing is a term that combines “voice” and “phishing” to describe a scam that is carried out through a phone call. The goal of the criminal is to steal financial and personal information. The scammer may send a text message instructing you to call a number.

The caller impersonates a government agency, business, tech support agency or financial institution. The number they are calling from can look legitimate because they can spoof caller ID. They often convey a sense of urgency implying that your account is in jeopardy, and you must act quickly to protect yourself.

Warning Signs of Vishing

• Red flags that should alert you to a vishing scam are urgency and fear tactics and requests for financial and personal information.
• Calls from numbers you don’t recognize.
• Poor grammar, unusual background sounds, voice glitches and poor call quality.
• Robocalls with automated messages.

How to Recognize a Smishing Scam

Smishing scams are similar to phishing scams, the difference is that the scammers use SMS or messaging apps to conduct their cybercrimes rather than emails or phone calls. The term is a combination of “SMS” and “phishing.” The criminal creates a fake scenario, or “pretext”, to manipulate the victim with the goal of getting them to provide personal, confidential and financial information that leads to fraud.

Warning Signs of Smishing

The warning signs of smishing are similar to those of vishing.

• Text messages from numbers you don’t recognize.
• Requests for personal and financial information.
• Prompts to click a link or call a phone number.
• Poor spelling and grammar.
• The messages try to create a sense of urgency or feel threatening.

How to Protect Yourself

• Never respond to any message you are unsure of. If you receive a message that looks like it is coming from a legitimate source contact that source directly at a number you know to be true.
• Never give any personal or confidential information to anyone through an email message, text message, phone call or online.
• Mouse over any links or email addresses to see if they appear fraudulent.
• Use a complex, unique password for every website and use MFA (Multifactor Authentication) on every website that offers it.
• Keep the operating system, apps and programs on your computer and phone up to date.
• Use antivirus software.
• Don’t post your phone number online or give it out to people or businesses you don’t know.
• Don’t answer calls from number you don’t know.
• Delete all suspicious texts.
• Join the National Do Not Call Registry through the Federal Trade Commission. Adding your number to the list can reduce the amount of telemarketing calls you receive. https://www.donotcall.gov/
• Automated vishing calls rely on a response from the victim. Don’t press buttons or respond to prompts.
• Never allow remote access to your computer, phone or other devices.
• Trust your instincts, if something doesn’t feel right it’s probably not.
• Freeze your credit with the three major credit bureaus, Equifax, Transunion and Experian and check your credit reports often.
• Back up your computer and other devices to avoid data loss.
• Review your bank and other financial account statements regularly so you are aware of any problems.

Enabling fraud alerts on your financial accounts is smart. These alerts warn you of different activities that take place within your account such as deposits, withdrawals, password and address changes and other activities you need to be aware of. The alerts act as a safety net so that you know when account activity happens, without alerts you may not be aware if your accounts have been compromised.

But what happens when the fraud alert is itself fraudulent?

Scammers can mimic fraud alerts and trick you into providing your personal and financial information to them. These fake alerts can look like they are coming from your bank, credit union, brokerage firm, retirement account, credit card company or other financial institutions.

While each scam is different, they all follow a similar pattern, you receive an account alert notification, this can come in an email message, text message or phone call. The person pretends to be with your financial institution and says there is a problem with your account, their goal is to gain access to your account.

In many cases the scammer will already have some of your personal information due to the numerous data breaches that have taken place or from gathering the information from what you have shared on social media, so they can sound legitimate. They may have your name, address, account balance and even your Social Security number.

Often their intent is to steal your multifactor authentication code so they can gain full access to your account. They may say that to secure your account they need to send you a code that they ask you to give them, if you follow through and provide them with the authentication code, they use it to access your account. With the data breaches that have occurred, chances are your username and password may have been compromised. This is why using the same password for multiple sites is a very bad idea. If the scammer already has your username and password all they need is the authentication code to get in.

How to Protect Yourself

Enable fraud alerts on all of your financial accounts, even though scammers can try to trick you with fake alerts it is important that you are aware of any activity related to your accounts. You will become familiar with a legitimate alert so it will be easier to spot a fake.

Enable multifactor authentication on all of your accounts.

Use a strong, long password for each account, never use the same password twice and change your passwords several times a year. Use a password manager to store your information.

If you receive a phone call, text message or email message warning you of activity on your account do not respond. Instead log into your account online or call your financial institution to check on your account.

Never engage with anyone you don’t know.

No legitimate company will ever ask you for your username, password or authentication code.

Scammers can spoof legitimate phone numbers, even if the caller ID displays a number that looks authentic be skeptical.

Scammers will try to instill a sense of urgency to get you to react and respond quickly without thinking it through. Your financial institution will never use threats or scare tactics.

Never answer any questions from a random caller.

Do not post sensitive information online. The less information you post, the less data you make available to cybercriminals. Criminals scan social media and harvest bits of information that they can use along with information obtained through a data breach to build a detailed profile on you.

Remember, if something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t.

If you have used a computer for any amount of time you have probably seen the Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) also called a bug check, stop error, kernel error, or system crash. When you encounter a BSOD it means the Windows operating system has encountered a critical error causing Windows to restart as it attempts to recover from the error.

Any problem that causes Windows to stop operating can trigger the BSOD. Most often it is caused by software, hardware, or a device driver issue.

When a BSOD happens, there are steps you can take to try to figure out what kind of problem is causing it to occur.

The Stop Code

When a BSOD happens, an error will be displayed on the screen. Take note of the error and the stop code that you see. Sometimes the screen will display a QR code that you can scan with your phone, it will take you to the Microsoft Support site where you can review error details and troubleshooting steps. If there is no QR code go to Microsoft’s Bug Check Code guide to locate the error code and find out what it means. You can also enter the error code into a search engine to find troubleshooting information.

Check Device Manager

Open Control Panel > Device Manager. This will show a listing of the hardware that is installed. Look for any devices that are flagged as a problem. If something is flagged, right click the device and select properties from the right click menu. Check the device status to find out why the device is not working properly. Also check for device driver updates. A device driver is defined as a software program without a user interface (UI) that manages hardware components or peripherals attached to a computer and enables them to function with the computer smoothly. If a device driver is faulty, it can cause the computer to malfunction. Manufacturers release driver updates that correct problems with the software.

Check the Hard Drive Space

Open File Explorer and locate your hard drive. It will be listed under “My PC” check to see if there is adequate free space. You should have at least 10% to 15% of free space available. Without adequate free space Windows and applications may not function properly. You can free up space by uninstalling programs and deleting files you no longer need.

Check for Windows Updates

Windows updates contain patches and fixes to address problems found in the operating system, apply any available updates and restart the computer.

Test the Memory

Windows has a built-in utility called the Windows Memory Diagnostic tool that can be used to test the memory. To launch the Windows Memory Diagnostic tool, type “Windows Memory Diagnostic” in the search bar or press the Windows Key+R, type “mdsched.exe” into the Run dialog that appears, and press enter.

The Windows Memory Diagnostic tool will open, you can choose to restart the computer now and run a test or run a test the next time you restart. To run the test immediately select “Restart now and check for problems (recommended).”

The computer will restart and test the memory. During the test you will see a progress bar and status message displayed on the screen. The test may take some time and you don’t have to watch the screen, once the computer restarts you will be able to view the results.

When the computer restarts, open Event Viewer, by typing “Event Viewer” in the search box or by opening Control Panel > Windows Tools > Event Viewer. Navigate to Windows Logs > System. Click the Actions menu > Find. Type “MemoryDiagnostic” into the find box and click “Find Next.” You’ll see the result displayed, as well as additional details about your RAM at the bottom of the window.

Run System File Checker

The System File Checker (SFC) is a built-in Windows tool that scans for missing or corrupt files and reports any issues it finds. If corrupt files are found SFC will attempt to replace them with healthy files. To run SFC, type Command Prompt or CMD in the search window, when the results are displayed click “Run as Administrator” In the Command Prompt dialogue window, type sfc /scannow and then press enter. The scan will run and complete any repairs on its own. Restart the computer when the scan is complete.

Boot into Safe Mode

When you start your computer in safe mode only necessary system services and drivers are loaded, which can help determine if a third-party program is causing the problem. If the computer runs normally in safe mode, it is most likely a driver or program that is causing the problem. To boot into Safe Mode restart your computer and press F8 or F2 repeatedly during the startup process. select Safe Mode in the Startup settings menu.

Use the Troubleshooter

In the search box type “Get Help” the get help menu will open, in the help menu search box type “Troubleshoot blue screen error”. Follow the guided walkthrough in the Get Help app.​​​​​​​

Consider Recent Changes

Consider any recent changes you made to your computer prior to the BSOD appearing, changes can include Windows or driver updates, new software installs, connecting a new peripheral device, or adding new hardware. Any of those changes can cause a problem. If you made any changes right before the problem started such as adding new memory or installing a new program undo the change to see if that solves the problem.

Overheating

Overheating can cause all kinds of computer problems. If you have not opened the computer case for cleaning, try that. Dust accumulates inside of the computer. Use a can of compressed air and blow it out, while the case is open check to see that the fans inside of the computer are running properly. If the power supply, CPU fan or graphics card fans are not functioning properly the computer will quickly overheat.

Scan for Malware

If your computer is infected with malware, it can cause the BSOD, run a thorough virus/malware scan to check for problems.

If none of the troubleshooting steps solve the problem a clean install of Windows may be in order.

Malicious email messages are a way for scammers and criminals to steal data, infect devices with malware, steal personal and financial information and perform other malicious acts.

The best defense is knowing how to identify dangerous email. Some email threats are harder to spot than others, criminals have become more skilled at making dangerous email messages look legitimate. Here are some common signs to look for.

Email Address Errors

Check the email address on each message you receive to verify that it is legitimate. Be suspicious of any sender you don’t know but also check the address carefully even when the email seems normal or looks like it is coming from someone you know. Scammers and hackers can make the email address look legitimate, but you might notice strange characters like unnecessary commas and periods, misspellings, strange domain names, or added numbers inconspicuously hidden in the email address.

Phishing Email

Phishing emails will ask you to provide personal or private information like credit card numbers, banking details, usernames and passwords, account numbers, Social Security numbers and other confidential information. The email will often instill a sense of urgency to act, for example it may say that your financial account has been compromised and you need to provide the information requested to secure your account.

Malicious Attachments

Email attachments are a common way for criminals to infect your device with malware and steal your information. Never open an attachment you were not expecting, even if it is from someone you know. If you receive an unexpected attachment from someone you know reach out to them to find out if they sent the attachment and why.

Malicious Links

Malicious links when clicked on can direct you to dangerous websites and infect your device with malware. Never click a link you are not sure of. Dangerous links might be incomplete, direct you to a site you have never heard of or contain errors and misspellings. Hover your mouse over a link before you click on it to preview the URL.

Check for Strange Wording

Look for anything unusual in the wording of the email, does it use proper language? Check the tone, grammar, and punctuation, look for misspellings and anything else out of the ordinary.

Consumers spend a lot of money during the holiday season and scammers are always looking for opportunities to take advantage of shoppers.

During the busy holiday season people often let their guard down which makes them more vulnerable to scammers.

The Federal Trade Commission reported that consumers lost more than $10 billion to fraud in 2023, marking the first time that fraud losses have reached that benchmark. This marks a 14% increase over reported losses in 2022.

Here are some common holiday related scams to watch out for.

Gift Card & Shipping Scams

Scammers tamper with gift cards while they are on display at the store, they can record the gift card number and when the card is activated steal the funds. Criminals can also hack electronic gift cards and steal the money without ever possessing the card.

When purchasing gift cards from a store, look for any signs of tampering and get a receipt so that if there is an issue with the card you can attempt to get a refund. If purchasing online only buy from well known, reputable retailers.

Shipping scams come in many varieties, which can include false notifications about problems with an order or shipment. If you are concerned about a shipment don’t respond to email or text messages, instead visit the retailer’s website to check on your order and track deliveries through the delivery company’s official website.

Porch pirates steal packages once they have been delivered. If you are expecting a delivery, try to be home to receive it, or arrange for a neighbor or friend to hold the package for you. If you receive a lot of deliveries consider purchasing a secure, antitheft package locker.

Sign up for USPS Informed Delivery, this service sends a daily email with a preview of your incoming mail and packages and allows you to control your deliveries.

Bogus Deals on Hard-to-Find Items

Every holiday season there are “must have” toys and other items and they can be hard to find. Scammers target people looking for these hard-to-find items and people desperate to get them may overlook red flag warning signs.

Watch out for deals that seem too good to be true with the promise of an extremely low price.

Before purchasing anything online, check to be sure the site is legitimate it should be secure with a padlock symbol and the address should start with “https” search for them at the Better Business Bureau (BBB), and Google. Check Reddit to see if other users have commented on the site.

Seasonal Job Scams

Many retailers and others offer seasonal employment but watch out for scammers posting fake jobs to trick you into providing personal information. If you are looking for a seasonal job, be cautious, scammers often offer a position without an interview. They may ask for personal information such as your Social Security number or banking information. Never provide personal or financial information to secure a job.

Social Media Scams

During the holidays, scammers use social media to trick people by offering gift cards, prizes or other incentives for taking part in surveys or promotions. If you participate your personal and financial information may be stolen. Scammers also post fake online stores designed to steal money and personal information. Social media is a hotbed for scammers, be cautious of anything you see there.

Fake Account Problem Notifications

These happen all year but there is typically an uptick during the holiday season. Most of them come from someone impersonating a bank or credit card company notifying you that there has been fraudulent activity associated with your account. They attempt to get you to send money or personal information to secure your account.

Never respond to text messages, phone calls or email messages warning you of a problem with your account. If you are concerned call your financial institution directly.

Charity Scams

There is always an increase in charity scams during the holidays, fraudulent charities designed to steal your money. Don’t fall for them. If you want to donate to a charity, contact them directly not through a link, text message, phone call or social media.

Having a backup plan in place is extremely important, data loss will happen, it can happen due to hardware failure, malware, cybercrime or other looming threats. With a little planning you can ensure you will be able to recover your important data if needed.

What is a Data Backup Plan?

Data backup involves making copies of your data such as files, pictures, passwords and other information and storing it in a secondary location to protect against data loss.

What Happens if You Don’t Backup?

If you don’t have a backup plan in place and your data is lost you have no way to recover it, you can lose years of important information.

How Should a Backup Plan Look?

Your backup should be all inclusive and comprehensive. The backup should include anything that is of importance to you. That data will look different to everyone, but the backup should include all files and documents, passwords, emails, address book and media (photos, videos, etc.)

It should be automated and run on a regular schedule, consider how often your data changes and tailor your plan accordingly. Most would benefit from a daily or weekly backup and when it is automated you don’t have to remember to do it. Manual backups can be time consuming and are prone to human error. Automated backups guarantee you can access the most recent versions of your data, with minimal time and effort.

Keep it Secure

The backup should be secure and easy to access, use the 3–2–1–0 rule of backups. Three copies of the data, on two different kinds of media, with one copy offsite, and it should be fully automated with zero manual steps involved. See my article on 4 Ways to Backup your Data on the types of backup media to choose from. /2024/11/08/4-ways-to-backup-your-data/

Once you have made your backups, store them in a safe location, if you are using external hard drives, swap them out regularly and keep one in a fire-proof and water-proof safe.

Be Clear

Know exactly what data is being backed up, where it is being backed up to and how will you recover that data in the event of a loss. And update your plan as needed, as you add new data be sure that it is included in the backup.

Test It

Once the backup is setup and automated it is important that you test the backup before you need it. Check that the backup includes all of the data you chose to backup and then restore the data to another location to be sure it works properly.

When is the last time you backed up your computer? If the answer is not recently or not at all you are at risk. Data loss will happen, it can be due to hardware failure, malware, cybercrime or other looming threats.

You might not realize how critical your data is until it is lost. Here are 4 ways to back up your computer and ensure you have a copy of your data if the original is lost.

External Hard Drives

External hard drives are an excellent choice for backups. They can be small and compact with a lot of storage space, they are easy to connect and disconnect and can be stored in a fireproof home safe or other secure location. When choosing a drive, the most common options are SSD and HDD drives. SSDs use flash memory, while HDDs use magnetic disks. SSD drives have no spinning parts and are faster than traditional HDD drives so if data transfer rates matter to you choose an SSD drive. When choosing a drive select one large enough to hold all your data with room to spare because as time goes by your current backup size will most likely increase so selecting a drive that allows for that growth is wise.

NAS

A Network-Attached Storage (NAS) device acts as a mini-server that allows any device on the same wireless network to access the stored data. These are an excellent choice when you have multiple devices to backup, and they allow you to easily move data from one device to another over the network and share data between devices.

NAS devices connect through hard-wired ethernet cables or Wi-Fi. They connect to a router and can be slower than backing up to an external hard drive because files are being transferred over the network. But the benefit of multi-device access is worth a slower transfer rate.

Cloud Backup

Almost everyone has a cloud account since free storage often comes with email accounts like Gmail and Outlook. When you backup to the cloud your data is stored on a remote server with the company. Security is always a priority when you are trusting someone else with your personal data so be sure to choose a highly reputable company that uses the best security and encryption. Most accounts offer a limited amount of free storage, and you may need to purchase a plan if you have more data than the free storage allows.

Another benefit of cloud storage is that you can access your data from all your devices at home and away and share documents with others. And you can easily restore your information in the event of data loss.

USB Drives

I left USB drives for last as these are not an ideal backup location. They are not the most dependable for long term storage and are best used to move data from one location to another. Generally, the storage size on USB drives is limited and may not be large enough to hold an entire backup. They are also more prone to failure than the other types of backup choices I have mentioned. And they are easily lost or misplaced which can lead to data loss and theft. In a pinch you can use one but for the long term go with something more stable and reliable.

Choose a backup method that works best for you and then use it regularly to ensure your important data is protected. Ideally you should have three copies of all your important data, the original copy and two other copies in separate locations and when using online storage never depend on that as your only backup. You are at the mercy of the company that is hosting that data, and you can never be certain that it is 100% safe.

Imposter scams are increasingly common, in 2023 the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) said there were over 330,000 reports of business impersonation scams and nearly 160,000 reports of government impersonation scams. Losses from these scams topped $1.1 billion, that’s more than three times what consumers reported in 2020.

Imposter scams typically start with a phone call, text message or email message posing as a legitimate company, a government agency, or a person you know and trust. They can use official-looking emails, websites, or phone numbers to deceive victims. The scammer most often tries to create a sense of urgency or fear to prompt you to take action quickly without thinking. Their intent is to steal your money and personal information which can lead to financial and identity theft.

How to Protect Yourself

Education is the best defense. Stay informed about common scams.

Be cautions of any type of communication that wants you to provide personal, financial, or sensitive information. Never respond to these requests and never share your confidential information with anyone. Any request for this type of information should be a huge red flag.

Be leary of unsolicited phone calls, text messages or email messages.

Never allow anyone to remotely access your computer.

Don’t answer calls from numbers you don’t know.

Beware of any communication that tries to instill a sense of urgency or panic.

Always take the time to verify the identity of the person contacting you. Legitimate businesses and government agencies will never contact you out of the blue asking for confidential information or pressuring you to act quickly. Even if they are posing as a friend or family member be suspicious. Reach out to the person directly at a number you know to be true.

Watch for communication that contains unusual grammar, poor spelling, or strange language. Carefully examine email addresses and URL’s. Scammers often change just one letter in an address that makes it slightly different from a legitimate address.

Don’t click on links or attachments which can direct you to malicious sites or infect your device with malware.

Always use secure payment methods, scammers often request payment via wire transfer, gift cards, debit cards tied directly to your bank account, P2P payment apps and cryptocurrency.