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The Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services is using cybersecurity awareness month to remind residents to take proactive steps to protect themselves from scammers and cyberattacks.

Some steps that consumers can take to protect themselves and their personal information online include:

• Use strong, unique passwords. Create passwords with at least 12 characters and never reuse them across accounts. Consider using a password manager.
• Enable multi-factor authentication. Add an extra layer of protection with a code, fingerprint, or security key.
• Think before you click. Never click on suspicious links, pop-ups, or attachments unless you can verify the source. Verify emails by contacting the sender directly – not by replying to the email or using contact information contained in the email.
• Update software regularly. Install updates on phones, computers, and apps to fix security vulnerabilities.
• Stay alert to scams. Financial institutions will never call, text, or email asking for your passwords or account numbers. If in doubt, contact your bank or credit union directly using the contact information on your statement or their website.

DIFS also regularly reminds banks, credit unions, and other financial services entities to review, update, and test their data protection processes.

Additionally, the Department has set forth data security requirements for licensed insurers and producers under the Michigan Insurance Data Security Law, which requires insurance licensees to establish information security programs and notify DIFS of a cybersecurity event involving nonpublic information.

Topics Cyber Michigan