Guides
- What to Do If You Witness a Crime?
- What Is Skip Tracing and How Does It Work?
- Common Venmo Scams to Look Out For and How to Avoid Them
- Can You Get Child Custody If You Have a Criminal Record?
- Common Amazon Scams and Ways on How to Avoid Them
- How to Find Liens on a Property?
- Multiple Bankruptcies: How Often You Can File One?
- How to Adopt a Child in the US?
- I Lost My Birth Certificate. What Should I Do?
- Warning Signs of Job Scams and How to Protect Yourself
- What Is a Ban the Box Law?
- What is Expungement?
- How to Transfer Property After Death Without Will
- What Is a Police Blotter?
- How to Appeal a Parking Ticket
- What Is a Clean Driving Record?
- What is Title Washing?
- What is Extortion?
- How To Run a Motorcycle Title Search
- What Is a Digital Footprint?
- What is Anti Money Laundering (AML)?
- Guide on How to Get a Death Certificate
- What is the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)?
- What is Multi Factor Authentication?
- What is a Citizen's Arrest?
- How to Know that You’re in an Obsessive Relationship
- Guide to Online Survey Scams
- 13 Different Types of Police Officers
- Full Guide on Work-from-Home Scams
- Is Private Browsing Really Private?
- Different Types of Felony Classes & Charges
- What is Juice Jacking?
- What are Romance Scams?
- Traffic Offenses and Violations
- What is Doxing and How to Prevent it?
- What are Spam Text Messages
- The U.S. Death Penalty: History and Modern Usage
- A Guide to Different Types of Bankruptcies
- Common eBay Scams to be Aware of
- What Happens When You are Booked in Jail?
- What Information Can You Get From A License Plate
- Different Types of Assets
- 8 Tips to Help You Find Family Members
- Car History Guide, Benefits, Importance
- Am I Dating a Stalker?
- How to Find out if Your Partner is Cheating
- What Is A Packet Sniffing Attack
- Intellectual Property Law and Rights
- Cyberstalking And Its Dangers
- A Guide to Phishing Scams
- What is Organized Crime?
- I’ve Lost My Driver’s License: What Should I Do?
- Misdemeanor Charges: Types, Classes, and Penalties
- A Complete Guide On Catfishing
- Vanity Phone Numbers: A Complete Guide
- What Happens When You Get Arrested
- Guide to Find Information About a Person Online
- How To Find And Claim Unclaimed Money
- What Happens if You Violate Probation
- Guide on How to Remove a Mugshot from the Internet
- How to Stay Safe on Public WiFi
- How to Deal with an Outstanding Warrant
- Different Types of Car Insurance
- What Is Cyptojacking?
- What Is Email Security?
- What Is the Deep Web and What Can Be Found There?
- What Happens When You Declare Bankruptcy
- How Divorce Settlements are Calculated
- What are Common Methods of Social Engineering
- What is the Difference Between a General Lien and a Specific Lien?
- How to Detect Odometer Rollback
- Different Types of Probation
- Finding forgotten life insurance policies
- What is Bearer Bond and Why the US Banned it
- Everything you need to know about small claims court
- Moral Turpitude: Definition, Examples, and Much More!
- Misdemeanor vs Felony
- How To Read VIN Number
- How to Find Out Who Hacked Your Cell Phone
- How Long Does a Misdemeanor Stay On Your Criminal Record?
- The Paypal Phishing Scam You Should Care to Avoid
- License Plates Types: USA Guide
- Effects of Cyberbullying: Complete Guide for Parents
- What is the DPPA?
- Petty Theft: Definition and Consequences
- What is a Life Sentence?
- How to Find Out if Someone Has a Warrant?
- Marriage License vs Certificate: Everything You Need to Know
- The Ten Most Popular Celebrity Mugshots
- How to Find Out if Someone is Married?
- How to Stop Phone Spoofing?
- How To Avoid Probate
- Dealing with abandoned vehicles in your neighborhood
- How to Find Someone's Cell Phone Number by Their Name
- Who Are the Worst Drivers in America?
- How To Find Unclaimed Money From Deceased Relatives
- What is a Digital License Plate?
- How to Find out if Someone Died?
- Murder vs Manslaughter: The Differences and Definitions
- How to Hire a Private Investigator?
- What Is a Number Neighbor?
- How to Find Out if Someone was Arrested
- How to Find Someone's Birthday?
- What is a Car Title
- How to Obtain a Police Report and Court Records?
- Filing a false police report
- Prison Valley: Look inside Prison Town
- How to Get Custody of a Child Without Going to Court?
- How to Find Someone’s Social Media Profiles?
- What to Do if Your Phone Is Tapped?
- What Is a Deed in Real Estate?
- Where Was The First US Federal Penitentiary Established?
- How to Find Someone's Location Using Their Cell Phone Number?
- What Is a Restricted Call?
- Who is the Most Dangerous Prisoner in the World?
- Poshmark Scams: How to Prevent and Report Them
- How to Find a Missing Person?
- How to Send Money to a Federal Inmate?
- DUI vs DWI: What're The Differences
- How Long After Buying a Car Do You Need to Register it?
- How to Find out Where Someone Lives?
- What Happens If You Get Caught Driving a Car Without Interlock
- Situational Crime Prevention: Theory, Techniques and Examples
- How Can I Find Out Who Called Me for Free?
- Gun Free Zone Statistics and Facts
- Online Threats and Digital Security: Trends, Types and Most Common Examples
- Cold Cases: Best Practices For Police Officers and Investigators
- Court Order: Definition, Types and Examples
- What Does a Fingerprint Background Report Show?
- How to Check Your Criminal Record?
- What is Tort Law?
- How to Calculate Child Support
- Property Rights: Definition, and Characteristics
- 12 Common Reasons for Public Records Request
- What is Antitrust Law?
- Virginia Gun Confiscation Law
- How Do You Find Out Who Own a Property?
- Neighborhood Watch Program
- How to Perform a Mugshot Search?
- Crime Mapping
- Safest Colleges in Florida
- Veterans Guide to Cars and Driving
- U.S. Correctional System: Structure, Incarceration and Facts
- License Plate Laws in the US
- How to Locate Inmates and Access Jail Records?
- Email Hacking: Laws, Penalties and Protection
- Romeo and Juliet Laws
- Holiday Safety for Home and Family
- Differences between Criminal and Arrest Records
- Public Records and Property History: What is Public Information and What Isn’t
- How to Look up Immigration Inmates?
- Famous Prisons in the USA
- How to Find Out Who Owns a Vehicle Using Reverse Lookup Tools
- How to Search for Your Family Tree?
- The Federal Judicial Center
- Mass Incarceration in the USA
- What is COPPA (Children's Online Privacy Protection Act)?
- Data Safety After The Capital One Breach
- Scholarships Guide for Students
- Complete Guide to Student Safety
- What Is a Vehicle Identification Number?
- Determining Divorce: 5 Types of Divorce You Must Know
- Sex Offenders: Complete Guide to be Protected
- New Privacy Laws and Public Records
- Motor Vehicle Registration in the US
- Digital Token Age: Security Laws and Regulations
- Facial Recognition Technology and Legal Restrictions
- What Shows up in a Background Report
- Car Repossession Laws: Dealing with Car Dealers and Auto Fraud
- How to Protect Yourself from Phone Scams
- Human Rights in the Prison
- What are Business Competition Laws?
- What is a Hate Crime?
- Starting a Business and Business Licenses
- General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Guidance
- Criminal Justice Reform
- Tax Reform Impact and Changes To Know
- Self-Driving Cars: Laws and Regulations
- White-Collar Crime: Statistics and Facts
- Have You Been Arrested? Cases You'll Need a Lawyer
- How to Get a Driver's License in the US
- Car Theft in the US: Prevention and Facts
- Identity Theft Passport Program
- Changing your Name after Marriage: What You Need to Know
- Finding the Perfect Roommate: Dos and Donts
- What if You Get Into a Car Accident? A Complete Checklist
- Property Crimes: How to Burglar Proof Your Home
- Consumer Laws in the US: What Do They Mean for a Customer and a Business Owner
- Child Trafficking: The Scope, Understanding, and Prevention
- Business Assets: A Guide to the Financial Health of your Business
- Guide To The College Application: How, When and Where to Apply
- Which States Have “Stand Your Ground” Laws?
- Adolescent Depression Symptoms and Causes
- Things to Know About the U.S. State Department Travel Advisory System
- Inheritance in the US: With & Without a Will
- Online Dating Safety Guide for Men and Women
- Sexual Abuse in the U.S.: Laws and Statistics
- Supporting Children After Divorce: Child Custody Options
- Halloween Horrors Come to Life: Holidays Crimes in the U.S.
- Charity Scams in the U.S.: Be Aware and Protected
- Webcam Hacking & Spying in the US
- Sex Offender Search
- Freedom of Religion in the U.S.
- Senior Financial Scams: How are the Elderly Targeted and How to Avoid It
- Catcalling: Is it illegal? How to Deal With It
- A Complete Guide To Insurance Fraud: Common Types and Prevention
- Sextortion: What to Do if You Became a Victim of Blackmailing
- Concealed Carry: How to Protect Yourself on Campus
- Debt Collection Laws | Fair Debt Collection Act: What You Need To Know
- How Much Is My House Worth? Ultimate Guide to Home Buying and Selling
- What are the Traits of a Sociopath?
- Do You Know Who Your Neighbors Are?
- Learn How to Find Your Birth Parents
- The Importance of Public Records in Law
- Do You Know What's the Difference Between Jail and Prison?
- Homeowner’s Insurance, Is it a Public Record?
- The Disturbing Facts of Gun Violence in America
- How to Use Public Records in Marketing
- Best & Worst Cities for Driving
- LGBT Bullying
- What You Need to Know When Buying or Selling a Used Car?
- School Safety and Security Standards
- Making Your DMV Experience Fast And Easy
- How to Prepare For an Active Shooter Incident
- How to Report a Crime?
- How to Protect Yourself Against Cyber Attacks
- 50 Things to Know When Filing for Divorce
- What to Do When You Are Stopped By the Police
- Tips for Back-to-School Safety and Security
- Guide to Filing for Bankruptcy
- How to Appeal the Court's Decision
- A User's Guide to Warrants
- How to Fight a Traffic Ticket?
- Keeping Your Neighborhood Safe For Your Family
- A Parent's Guide to Keeping Your Child Drug-Free
Protecting Yourself Against Cyber Attacks

There is no denying that modern technology can make our lives more convenient, more efficient and even fun. However, living in this digital world poses some real danger with the threat and the impact of cyber attacks.
Protect Yourself with Common Sense
No longer is our cell phone the only "smart" device we own. Now our homes, our cars and most of our daily gadgets are connected to the Internet. This connectivity poses a risk of invasion or destruction. However, the good news is, there are things you can do and cybersecurity solutions you can use to protect yourself and your family from hackers or anyone trying to obtain access to your personal information.
- Make sure your home network is secure and entirely password-protected.
- Do not use open networks to log in or access any sensitive information. For example, if the coffee shop WiFi has no password, do not log in using your smartphone and do some banking, you will be putting your information at risk.
- Never open attachments in emails you receive from anyone you do not know or did not expect.
- Do not give personal information when talking through a phone with a person you don't know personally. First of all, check the phone number via phone lookup tool, and understand does this person has any suspicious behavior.
- Do not click on links within emails.
- Type web addresses (URLs) in instead of clicking on links.
- If you receive an email asking you to verify your personal information, do not send anything via email. First of all do email lookup to understand who is the person. Contact the bank or company by phone to inquire if it is legitimate or not.
- Do not share your network passwords or private information with anyone you do not know well and especially if they ask for it by email or phone.
- Be sure to password-protect all your Internet-connected devices especially tablets and cell phones, which can be lost or stolen.
- Don't re-use passwords and change them often. Make passwords complicated and store in a password vault.
- If you feel like something you have received or witnessed is illegal, contact the proper authorities.
- Keep your computers and other devices up to date with security patches and installed with virus protection.
- Be aware of spamming techniques or suspicious texts, block the sender and delete them; do not click on any links.
- Secure your web browser by following these steps.
- Keep an eye out on threats coming from social media platforms such as Facebook scams.
Tips For Creating Secure Passwords
Generally, people use simple passwords that they can easily remember. This practice is dangerous and makes it easy for a hacker to guess or crack. Instead, use different memory techniques or mnemonic devices to help you remember so you can create more complex passwords that are more difficult for criminals to exploit.
- Always use a combination of lower and upper case letters, at least one number and a special character.
- Acronyms for full sentences work well and are easy to remember. For example, say you are a fan of football. You might use the phrase "I love the Patriots" and combine it with your favorite player's lucky number. So a good password would be "IlTp12!" - This way you are creating a difficult password with alternating capitalization, a number and a special character which is very difficult to guess, but easy for you to remember.
- You may also spell out words using a combination of numbers and symbols. For example the word Treehouse, you could rewrite it like this "Tr3Eh0u53@," to make a very complex password but one you could easily remember.
What to Do If You Are a Victim of a Cyber Attack
Even if you take every precaution, there is still a chance you or a loved one may be a victim of a cyber attack. If this happens, you do have some recourse you can take. Follow the steps below to ensure you are doing all you can to help authorities find and apprehend the culprit.
- Make sure all your devices have the most current version of software, security patches, and virus protection updates.
- Scan your system often to look for any infections and clean them regularly.
- If you think your device has been compromised, immediately disconnected it from the Internet.
- Report the incident directly, and if infected, you can do a full system restore to eliminate the threat on your device.
- Change all your passwords immediately.
- Contact banks or credit card companies to issue you new cards.
- Close any compromised accounts and open brand new ones using different, more secure passwords.
According to homeland security, a cyber attack is "the violation of an explicit or implied security policy." Some examples of this might be:
- An attempt to gain access to a private account, website or unauthorized system.
- A denial of service attack.
- Unauthorized use of your account or a system you use.
- Changes to settings, hardware or software without your permission.
Phishing
Phishing is when you get an email from what looks like a legitimate company that you may or may not do business with, but it is from someone else impersonating that company or person. They are attempting to entice you into giving them log in, security or personal information. Be acutely aware of this type of scam and report it immediately. Then delete the email. Do not click on any links or follow any instructions contained in the email. You can report phishing incidents here.
Malware
Malware is a program or virus-type software that is illicitly installed on your computer when you click on an infected website or malicious link. Malware can do things like scan your computer for sensitive information, copy files, upload things, monitor your browsing history, change settings and more.
Always keep your computer virus and malware scanners up to date. This advice applies to mobile devices also. Security patches come out frequently so be sure to install it whenever there is an update available.
You can report malware incidents and vulnerabilities that you are aware of by contacting the DHS at cert@cert.org and soc@us-cert.gov.
Stop. Think. Connect.
Stop.Think.Connect is a national public awareness program developed to help individuals understand the risk of using Internet-connected devices and offering them information and guidance on how to be safer and more secure when using online resources.