Conservatively Speaking
State Senator Mary Lazich (R-New Berlin) represents parts of four counties: Milwaukee, Waukesha, Racine, and Walworth. Her Senate District 28 includes New Berlin, Franklin, Greendale, Hales Corners, Muskego, Waterford, Big Bend, the town of Vernon and parts of Greenfield, East Troy, and Mukwonago. Senator Lazich has been in the Legislature for more than a decade. She considers herself a tireless crusader for lower taxes, reduced spending and smaller government.
Protect Your Family with these Cyber Security Tips
The internet grows more powerful, and more pervasive, every day. It is not constrained by Ethernet cables or routers, many of us take web access with us on the go. With all that convenience, it is easy to let your guard down. That is the reason Governor Walker declared October to be Cyber Security Awareness Month.
Throughout the month, the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection will work with Wisconsin Emergency Management to educate Wisconsinites about staying safe in cyberspace. Useful tips are:
-Pay attention to your method of connecting to the internet. When you log on to an unsecured public network, make sure to restrict access to your personal computer.
-When banking or shopping online, make sure the website is secure. Addresses with "https://" or "shttp://" are utilizing additional security features for your safety.
-Enable protection beyond mere passwords for your online accounts, and make your passwords long and strong by combining capital and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Use different passwords for different accounts.
-Keep your anti-virus and anti-malware software up to date. Even the most prudent user can fall victim to a cyber-attack. If you have the latest updates it may ward off would-be attackers.
For smart phone users:
-Enable the password or locking mechanism on your phone. If your phone gets into the wrong hands, this will at least slow an attacker while you notify your phone company.
-Make sure you trust the source of an application before you install it. Read the privacy policy, because some apps include intrusive features you might not know about, such as changes to system settings, the installation of deceptive or confusing icons, or even permission to send your personal information to outside parties.
-Watch out for malicious text messages. You would not want to click on a link from an unknown email address – so do not click on links from unknown phone numbers either.
Of course, the best way to protect yourself from online attackers is also the simplest: turn off, unplug and get outside. Winter is right around the corner. Spend some time enjoying a crisp autumn day without any worry about malware, hackers, or identity theft.
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