5 tips to prepare for a cyberattack

In the old days, war meant men (and maybe some women) marching off to do battle in fields, mountains, or at sea. That was bad enough. But these days, there’s a lot of talk about a cyberwar. Nobody really knows exactly what a cyberwar would entail, but one purpose could be to cripple the economy and communications of a country. Given the global rhetoric, it seems likely that cyberattacks are already underway. The real question is, who will be affected? The answer? Anyone who’s not prepared. In that spirit, here are 5 tips to prepare for a cyberattack.

Tip #1: Be smart about what you share.

Limit the amount of information you provide online. This is more than just not giving out your birthdate or social security number to companies or individuals you don’t know. This also includes being aware of what you share on social media. Hacking social media accounts is big business—and a great way for the bad guys to leverage your friends. Don’t let them become victims because you got careless!

Tip #2: Be skeptical

Just because you see it in print doesn’t mean it’s true. Got an email that’s offering you a special deal? Or how about one that claims to have hacked your devices? According to Tech News World, the number of people victimized multiple times online grew in 2021. In the event of a cyberwar, you could probably expect to see a ramping up of these activities to disrupt normal business activities and sow distrust. You’d also see a lot of ‘fake news.’ (Oh, no, do we really have to do that one again?)

Tip #3: Tighten down those passwords!

You may have good passwords for your online accounts, but what about your home computer network? A strong password for your home network will prevent hackers from using your network to increase their computing power. According to Ready.gov (part of FEMA), good passwords include upper and lowercase letters, numbers and special characters. I’ve recommended the use of a password manager for years. It’s no small coincidence that the experts recommend one, too. Remember, if someone hacks one of your accounts, change all of your passwords immediately. (I know, huge job, and a real pain!)

Tip #4: Report suspicious activity immediately.

Contact your bank as soon as possible if you see an unauthorized transaction on one of your accounts. This can be a bit of a challenge with smaller banks, who may not have 24/7 customer service availability. Remember, part of the purpose of a cyberwar could be to disrupt the economy—and that could include your bank account.

Tip #5: Stock up on water.

Bet you weren’t expecting this one. But the reason is simple. In the event of a cyberwar, the power grid and other essential services may be interrupted. Are you ready to go for a few days without water, electric, and gas? The CDC recommends storing a gallon of water per person per day for up to at least three days. A simple solution is to buy a gallon of bottled water a week until you reach your quota, then use and rotate periodically.

Much like those soldiers in the old days, we need to be prepared. Unfortunately, that preparedness now includes the digital world.