It’s October, which means that it’s Cybersecurity Month. In light of that, I want to share five tips you can use to increase your online safety:

1. Verify to clarify. Be suspicious of emails and text messages from unknown parties that have links in them, as well as phone calls that create a sense of urgency for you to respond. There’s probably not some crisis going on that means you need to click a link or respond to a phone call right away. If you’re concerned, contact a trusted source you think might know a little more about what’s going on.

2. Know your red flags. Anyone online can tell you that you have to pay for something over the phone or via wire transfer, but if they do, it’s likely a scam, so end the conversation immediately. We all know about that one Nigerian Prince who needs $10,000 to get out of jail, after which, he’ll pay you $10 million.

"When it comes to passwords, length trumps complexity."

3. When in doubt, throw it out. This refers to links in emails, tweets, text posts, social media messages; all of those are easy ways for cybercriminals to get your information, so be wary about clicking on them or downloading any of that information.

4. Lock your devices. You lock the front door to your house when you leave, right? Do the same thing with your devices. Require a passcode to unlock your phone, tablet, or computer to keep prying eyes out.

5. Make long and unique passwords. Remember: When it comes to passwords, length trumps complexity. A strong passphrase is a sentence at least 12 characters long. Focus on positive sentences like, “ilovecountrymusic,” switch out some of the letters for numbers, like trading the ‘o’ for a ‘0’, and make capitalize some of the letters.

If you have any questions about this topic or anything else to do with real estate, don’t hesitate to give me a call or send me an email. I’d love to hear from you.

The information contained in this blog does not purport to be a complete description of the securities, markets, or developments referred to in this material. The information has been obtained from sources considered to be reliable, but we do not guarantee that the foregoing material is accurate or complete. Any opinions are those of the author, and not necessarily those of Raymond James. Expressions of opinion are as of this date and are subject to change without notice. There is no guarantee that these statements, opinions, or forecasts provided herein will prove to be correct.

Every investor's situation is unique and you should consider your investment goals, risk tolerance, and time horizon before making any investment. Investing involves risk and you may incur a profit or loss regardless of the strategy selected. The foregoing is not a recommendation to buy or sell any individual security or any combination of securities. Be sure to contact a qualified professional regarding your particular situation before making any investment or withdrawal decision.