Homeland Security helps Idaho with cyber awareness

The state of Idaho is partnering with the United States Department of Homeland Security to raise awareness and offer advice about cyber security.

The goal is to protect citizens and their families from fraud and identity theft as part of a global campaign called Stop Think Connect. President Barack Obama declared October National Cyber Security Awareness Month.

“We will encourage all Internet users to be more vigilant about practicing safe, online habits; ensure that Internet safety is perceived as a shared responsibility at home, in the workplace, and throughout our communities; and transform the way the public and private sectors and the U.S. federal government collaborate to make cyber security a reality. The campaign’s goal is to raise awareness about cyber security among all digital consumers to help them to stay cyber safe and keep their information more secure online,” said the mission statement on the campaign’s website.

Coeur d’Alene is not immune from scammers.

“I received 22 calls from a man claiming to be from Microsoft,” said Victoria Barrett, a Coeur d’Alene woman who said cyber scammers attempted to fraudulently gain access to her home computer in early October. “They got my information from my 13-year-old son filling out online surveys.”

Barrett said the alleged hackers used a third-party Internet site that promised gamers coins for the online game Minecraft if they filled out a simple survey.

“The surveys just kept popping up, my son knows all of my information, so they got it all,” Barrett said.

No consumer or community is immune to cyber threats, according to the Idaho Department of Finance. The department recommends people take steps to protect themselves from becoming a victim:

• Set strong passwords, change them regularly and don’t share them with anyone.

• Keep your operating system, browser and other critical software optimized by installing updates.

• Use privacy settings and limit the amount of personal information you post online.

• Be cautious about offers online — if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Barrett said initially she believed the caller, who identified himself as Kevin, told her computer had been compromised and help was on the way. When she called Microsoft to verify the name and number, the software giant told Barrett that she was an apparent target for cyber scammers.

The extent, nature and timing of cyber incidents are impossible to predict. The state said if you are a victim of a cyber-incident take immediate action with your computer:

• Check to make sure the software on all of your systems is up-to-date.

• Run a scan to make sure your system is not infected or acting suspiciously.

• If you find a problem, disconnect your device from the Internet and perform a full system restore.

• Notify law enforcement immediately and file a report with the police to document the incident.

When Kevin called her again, Barrett told him that she believed he was acting fraudulently and things escalated from there.

“He (Kevin) said he was going to come to my house and show me what damage malware can do to me,” Barrett said. “So I called the police and filed a report.”

For more information about National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM) and how to participate in NCSAM activities, visit http://www.staysafeonline.org/ncsam.

Jamie Sedlmayer can be reached at jsedlmayer@cdapress.com