In recognition of the importance of cybersecurity, the State of Illinois has proclaimed October as Cybersecurity Month. Take 10 minutes to review your online security habits. Your future self (and your retirement funds) will thank you!
1. During Cybersecurity Awareness Month, it’s a good time to review your SURS account! Update your account and contact information, as well as beneficiaries. Log in to the SURS secure Member Website at any time to view your most current account information via your personal Member Summary page. Staying current with your account details helps protect your information and ensures we can reach you securely.
2. Protect other online accounts, especially those tied to your financial institutions. Do this by reviewing privacy settings and updating passwords regularly and practice good password hygiene. That means creating strong and complex passwords or using password phrases or password managers. Do not share your PIN number with others.
3. You’ve worked hard for your retirement — keep your information safe! Use strong, unique passwords for all accounts. If anything comes with a default password, make sure to change it to something only you know and have access to.
4. Scammers don’t retire! Stay alert to phishing emails and fake websites asking for your personal info. Cybercriminals often pretend to be trusted sources, like your bank or retirement system. Always go directly to the official website instead of clicking links in messages, both email and text messages. When in doubt, contact SURS directly.
5. Staying safe online is important. Protect your personal and financial information by using multi-factor authentication (MFA) when possible. MFA is a security method that requires users to provide two or more verification factors to log in to an account, making it more secure than just a password.
6. Keep your devices up to date. Software updates often include security patches that protect you from the latest threats. Automate software updates and periodically restart your devices to ensure that updates are fully installed.
7. Secure your home network. Install the latest firmware for Wi-Fi routers, switches, cable modems and firewalls. Make sure to create a strong password to protect your router or cable modem and inform only trusted family members. You can also use Wi-Fi protected access encryption protocols such as WPA2 or WPA3 to block hackers.
8. Safeguard your devices! Make sure you have an auto lock on your screens and ensure your devices have a privacy screen to reduce the risk of prying eyes. Never leave your laptop or tablet unattended, especially in public.
9. Keep what is private, private. Refrain from logging into financial accounts or using passwords on unsecure public networks commonly found in coffee shops, libraries, and airports. If you do go online in public, always use a VPN solution to encrypt the communication channel. Cyber criminals often ‘surf’ there for personal information.
10. Charge carefully! Don’t use publicly available charging cords or USB ports with your devices. These can be used to deliver malware onto your device or steal your data. Always be sure to plug your cord directly into the power source.
At SURS, protecting member information is a top priority. Make sure you stay informed and keep your information secure.