MADISON — Wisconsin agencies are urging residents and organizations to take basic steps to protect their personal information and digital systems during Cybersecurity Awareness Month.
The Wisconsin departments of Administration, Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, and Military Affairs are emphasizing the importance of strong passwords, caution with links and regular software updates.
Officials recommend using long, unique passwords for each account and enabling multi-factor authentication whenever possible. A password manager can help users securely keep track of their login information.
Residents also should be cautious when clicking links or opening attachments in emails, text messages and social media posts. Scammers may pose as businesses, family members, employers or government agencies to pressure people into providing money or personal information.
Officials recommend pausing to verify unexpected requests and accessing frequently used websites through saved favorites or by typing the web address directly into a browser.
Keeping phones, computers, applications and other software updated also can help protect against cyberattacks. Updates often include security patches that address vulnerabilities criminals could exploit.
“Strong, unique passwords are a frontline defense,” Wisconsin Adjutant General Matthew Strub said in a news release. “Good password discipline, including multi-factor authentication, not only protects personal data, but it also strengthens the cyber readiness of the systems Wisconsinites rely on every day.”
The agencies also encouraged organizations to follow the “3Rs of Cybersecurity”: reduce vulnerabilities, replace outdated devices that are no longer supported and recover quickly after an incident.
More cybersecurity information is available at cisa.gov/cybersecurity-awareness-month.
