Cybersecurity Awareness Month & Library Title Feature

Library News - Cybersecurity Awareness Month & Library Title Feature 

Lucky for us, October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month! Although we hear it frequently, reminders to be careful on the internet and avoid suspicious links are important. As attackers continue to adapt and change their tactics, cybersecurity remains a conversation worth having. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) recommends four steps everyone can take to help protect themselves online.

Avoid and report phishing scams. Easy enough? That is, as long as you know what a phishing scam is. Phishing happens when criminals trick people into sharing sensitive information, such as passwords or even banking information. These scams can come through emails, text messages, and phone calls. 

Some red flags to watch for include messages that create urgency, wanting you to act immediately. Watch out for suspicious links that lead to misspelled or fake website addresses, and unexpected attachments that ask you to click or download something. If you spot a suspicious message, report it as spam or phishing rather than responding or clicking on any links.

Use strong passwords. Although we might be tempted to use the same password for all of our accounts so we can log in more easily, doing so also makes it easier for criminals to access multiple accounts if one password is stolen. As frustrating as it may be, it is best to use a different password for each account. 

A password manager can help by securely storing passwords so you do not have to remember them all. You only need to remember the strong password used to access your password manager! When creating passwords, length matters. Passwords with at least 16 characters are recommended. These characters should consist of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and special symbols.

Use multifactor authentication. Multifactor authentication requires users to provide two or more forms of verification before accessing an account. This is especially important for your email account, since it can often be used to reset passwords for other accounts!

Verification might include entering your password along with a code sent to your phone, approving a sign-in through an authenticator app, or using a fingerprint or facial recognition. These extra steps make it more difficult for someone to access your account, even if they manage to get your password. 

Lastly, update your software. Although you might think a software update on your phone is simply giving you new features you may not need, those updates often do much more behind the scenes. They can fix security weaknesses, correct system bugs, and ensure your apps continue working properly. Keeping your phone, computer, and tablets up to date is important to protect yourself. 

Although these steps might sometimes feel frustrating or inconvenient, we need to remain diligent when it comes to our devices and personal information. If you have any questions about these topics, stop in for a visit at the library. We will do our best to help!

We live in a digital age, and it comes with a price, but it also allows us to stay connected from afar, create new relationships, and expand our worldview. Taking a few steps can help us enjoy those benefits while staying safer online!

Library Title Feature - Partita, by Barbara Kingsolver

This unforgettable new novel reflects on class barriers, the risks of ambition, and the timeless, life-changing power of art. "Kingsolver presents an enrapturing, brilliantly plotted, deeply personal, and profoundly insightful celebration of the life of the land, the skills and struggles of farmers, and the transcendent power of art to bring us together, make us feel 'more alive,' and make us whole." - Booklist 

Library Hours:  Monday, Wednesday and Thursday: 8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m., Tuesday and Friday: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. 

Library Contact Information:  Phone: (906) 252-4316, Email: mspl@manistiqueschools.org, Website: https://www.manistiquelibrary.org.