October marks the beginning of Cyber Security Awareness Month in Illinois. The Department of Homeland Security in partnership with the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency wants to provide government agencies and citizens with resources, tools, and information to defend their cybersecurity during this awareness month. 

This month is designed to bring attention to the importance of online safety for Illinoisians. The Illinois Department of Innovation & Technology has been employed to provide practical advice and guidance to navigate the ever-changing online landscape. 

It is advised that protecting personal accounts is the single most important piece in protecting data. Two-factor authentication, complex and unique passwords, and never repeating passwords for different sites are the best ways to keep data secure and protected from hackers.  

Knowing what to look for in phishing emails and texts is also a vital part of online security. Phishing scams attempt to get personal information from people to use the data maliciously. Avoiding sketchy links and never giving out personal information to emails you don’t know can help avoid any loss of personal data and information.