Cybersecurity and data privacy attacks are growing daily

Cyber crimes have reached an all-time high and are getting worse every day.

That’s why Ohio residents and businesses should take time now to prioritize their online security, according to the Ohio Department of Commerce, Division of Financial Institutions.

This is “Cybersecurity and Data Privacy Week” in the Buckeye State, followed on Feb. 1 with “Change Your Password Day.”

Safeguards against cyber thieves will forever be crucial for individuals, organizations, business and governments, Richland County Auditor Patrick Dropsey said.

“It’s been more important than ever for a while,” Dropsey said. “People would do well to be aware.”

‘Criminal actors are constantly evolving their techniques’

Electronic bandits spend every day searching for new ways to harm innocent people, Kevin Allard, superintendent of the Ohio Department of Commerce’s Division of Financial Institutions, said in a news release.

“Savvy criminal actors are constantly evolving their techniques to exploit new vulnerabilities in the digital world,” Allard said. “It is critical for individuals and families to take proactive steps to safeguard their personal data, finances, and identities to prevent devastating losses.”

Americans filed 880,418 complaints in 2023 with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center, with potential losses topping $12.5 billion. That was a 10% increase in complaints and 22% increase in losses over the previous year.

“The increasing interconnectedness of the digital world, while offering convenience, also exposes users to a variety of cyber threats,” the Dept. of Commerce noted. “Attackers often target sensitive data, identities, and financial information, threatening individuals and businesses alike.”

‘Be vigilant and use common sense’

Cybersecurity is so important that the Richland County auditor never discusses how his IT department protects the county government’s data.

“One of the rules of cybersecurity is that you don’t talk about it,” Dropsey said.

Even the smallest hint of how data is protected could help bad actors obtain valuable information.

County employees who have access to their government’s main network are required to take classes every month about the latest scams and other forms of digital attacks.

“It would benefit every Richland County resident to be vigilant and use common sense,” Dropsey said. “It would behoove people to use common sense and to stop and think.”

He said hospitals, banks, utility companies and the like will never call someone to collect personal information.

The auditor said a false sense of urgency is one of the most common tricks scammers use to convince people to hand over sensitive information — that can be through a well-worded email or a frantic phone call.

“That’s the way you should treat any phone call or any email you get,” Dropsey said. “Any legitimate business that you deal with is not going to ask you for personal information.”

Tips for enhanced cybersecurity

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s “Secure Our World” awareness program suggests that everyone recognize and report phishing attempts, turn on multifactor authentication whenever possible, and keep all of their software updated.

Ohioans should also mind the following tips when updating their passwords:

• Avoid using personal information in passwords

• Do not save passwords on devices unless they are encrypted

• Use multifactor authentication whenever possible

• Change passwords on a frequent basis

• Avoid using the same password across the board

ztuggle@gannett.com

419-564-3508

This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Cybersecurity and data privacy attacks are growing daily