We all know that cybersecurity is an issue that each person and company (i.e. practice) needs to deal with.  But how many of you have said...

• It won't happen to me
• I will take care of cyber threats tomorrow
• Anyone can hack passwords, so why bother?
• I have no idea where to start...

Sound like you?  I bet for most of you, it's hitting a bit close to home.  It seems like in this world of medicine and business, there are so many other things... that we simply don't put a priority on cybersecurity.  But you should.

Here are just some recent descriptions of various threats and attacks on health care facilities.  Some are prepared.  Some are not. What would an article say about your company if you were attacked by a hacker? 

• Malware attack disrupts operations at Indiana medical center
• Three Alabama hospitals halt admissions after a ransomware attack
• Indiana medical center alerts 106k patients of a ransomware attack
• Patient data from EHR...

Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity is something that we all need to be concerned about.  Regardless if we use our computers for casual use, business, fun, or all of the above, there undoubtedly are times when we need to enter usernames and passwords.  

The Password Problem

If you are like I am, I literally have a list of hundreds of passwords for various sites.  The best practice is that you have a different password for each site. But that can be very hard to do.  After a while, you just have a hard time even thinking up new passwords, let alone remember them.  And beyond that, truly secure sites often require you to change your password every 60, 90 or 120 days.  Use upper and lower case.  Add a number or two.  Then add in a few random symbols.  Sheesh! When will it end?  

Password Complexity And The Weak Link...

Yes, creating and using complex passwords is good practice, and you should do it. 

But there is a flaw in the...

Your smart phone. 

It's become "your life". It can do everything ... store your calendar, send messages, manage your email, map out your trips, entertain you, manage your pictures and videos, feed you news ... and on and on.   

There is SO much of your life on your phone.  Both public ... and private.   

Smartphones and privacy

You wouldn't give people your diary.  Or your calendar. Or your travel plans. Or finances. Or passwords.  But you might be giving others access to these if you keep these items on your smartphone.  

So Happy New Year!  It's time to put an end to some of the worst offenders that hijack, steal, monitor or just look at your public and private information on your smartphone.  

In this article, they provide you with some of the greatest offenders when it comes to your privacy.  And it's a great invitation to delete these from your smartphone and kick them out of your life.

Get These Off...