Mia's security advice to thwart cybercriminals

In today’s digital world, protecting your personal and work-related information is more important than ever as cybercriminals are constantly looking for ways to steal passwords, hack accounts and access sensitive data.

Marks & Spencer, Harrods and the Co-op are among the major retailers that have recently been targeted by cyberattacks, and some of our own practices and businesses have also been hit.

The good news is that you don’t need to be a tech expert to stay safe online. By following a few simple security habits, you can protect yourself from scams, hackers, and cyber threats.

Whether you’re using a computer at work or a smartphone at home, VetPartners Director of Information Security Mia McGuigan shares some easy-to-follow tips to help keep your information secure and give you peace of mind....

Use strong passwords and don’t reuse them

Create passwords that are long and unique. Avoid using 123456 or the word password. 

Use a mix of words, numbers and symbols – for example, Coffee!Mug$987.

Don't use the same password for multiple accounts as if one gets hacked, others will too.

Turn on extra security (two-step verification)

Many sites offer a second layer of security, such as a code sent to your phone.

This makes it much harder for hackers to break into your accounts. 

Look for Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) in your account settings. 

Think before you click

Scammers send fake emails and texts that look real. If an email or message asks for personal info or urges you to click a link—STOP! 

Hover over links before clicking and, if it looks strange, don’t click it. 

Keep your devices and apps up to date

Updates fix security holes that hackers can use to break in. Set your phone, computer, and apps to update automatically. If you see an update notification, don’t ignore it.

Be careful on public Wi-Fi

Never log in to bank accounts or enter passwords on public Wi-Fi such as in coffee shops.

Hackers can steal your information on public networks. Use your phone’s hotspot or wait until you're on a trusted Wi-Fi network. 

Back up important files.

Computers and phones can break, get lost, or be attacked by viruses. Save copies of your important files on a USB drive, external hard drive, or cloud storage (like Google Drive). 

Lock your devices and log out

Always lock your phone, tablet and computer when not using them.  Use a PIN, password, fingerprint, or face unlock. 

If you’re finished using an important account, like banking, log out when done.