Personal Lessons in My Cybersecurity Journey, Part II

Happiness, it turns out, requires three things: (1) wealth, (2) health, and (3) the security of one’s wealth. This is based on the pioneering study at Princeton University by Talya Miron-Shatz. Money and physical well-being are not enough; we humans require predictability and safety.

This article addresses how you can control negative events and distance yourself from the fear of entering “survival mode.” Your small everyday choices and actions accumulate over time to protect these three essential foundations of your happiness. Here are ten things you can do to make that happen. My suggestion: if you haven't already, read Part One that was published recently.

Part Two: My 10 Personal Cybersecurity Tools to Prevent Becoming a Victim

1. Use a Password Manager. There are many available options, such as LastPass, 1Password, and Keeper. The best one for you will depend upon your computer’s operating system and your personal needs. You’ll be asked to memorize one main master password, which then gives you access to all your accounts, usernames, and passwords. They can also generate complex passwords for you. It doesn’t matter if the string is 20 digits since you simply copy and paste it when logging into a particular website. They make it easy and safe.
2. Protect your email. Treat your primary email like a master key. Lock it down with a very strong password and add recovery methods such as phone numbers and other email accounts.
3. Two-factor authentication is essential! Turn it on for all your accounts. Codes texted or emailed to you are basic but far less protective today. Authentication apps such as Symantec VIP/access or Google Authenticator are far better because they generate a code without a text message. The best options are passkeys and biometric recognition.
4. Freeze your credit with Equifax, Experian, Trans Union and ChexSystems, and Innovis. It’s not difficult or time-consuming. Also use an Identity Theft Protection Monitoring Service. Top-rated are Aura and Lifelock. Apparently, less than 25% of Americans freeze their credit and Social Security numbers. It’s one of the most effective tools we have to prevent fraudsters from opening a new credit card account or applying for a loan in your name.
5. Install antivirus software to decrease the probability of malware finding a home on your computer. Some of the most popular programs are Intego, Norton, and BitDefender, but your operating system will determine what’s most appropriate for you.
6. Contact your cell phone company to have a “SIM SWAP LOCK” installed on your mobile phone number. This prevents criminals from transferring your number to a different carrier (for example from Verizon to T-Mobile) and thereby gaining control of your phone. This problem is serious and growing.
7. Use a Personal Data Removal service such as Optery, Incognito and Aura. These companies will search out and delete your personal information from online “data broker sites” that sell your profiles to scammers. It will reduce the number of phishing calls and texts that you receive.
8. Create official government accounts. Be proactive and set up accounts on SSA.gov and/or IRS.gov before a scammer can do it. For tax filings, use the IRS Identity Protection PIN for an extra layer of protection.
9. Secure your home wi-fi network. Use strong passwords (not the default settings) and do the firmware updates regularly.
10. Turn on Alerts to monitor all your financial accounts, whether with brokerage houses, credit cards or banks. It’s not difficult but just takes a bit of time and commitment.

The final PART III of my Cybersecurity Journey will deal with the biggest risks and the new behaviors that we humans must learn to embrace in today’s digital world to minimize becoming a victim.

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Trade well; trade with discipline!

Gatis Roze, MBA, CMT

StockMarketMastery.com

• Author, "Tensile Trading: The 10 Essential Stages of Stock Market Mastery" (Wiley, 2016)
• Developer of the "Stock Market Mastery" ChartPack for StockCharts members