How Gen Z can step up their cybersecurity game

If you’re between the ages of 11-26, you’re more plugged in than any other generation. The bad news? Your information is more at risk of getting compromised than ever before. Between mobile devices, social media, wearable devices, online gaming platforms and more, it’s crucial for your generation to make sure that they’re staying safe and secure online, no matter what platform they’re sharing on. As a bank, we know how detrimental it can be to be scammed, and we want to help prevent this from happening. Read on to find out how to perform a cyber wellness check and safeguard your personal information.

You may be tech savvy — but are you cyber savvy?

According to the Forbes Advisor, 2023 saw a 72% increase in data breaches since 2021, which held the previous all-time record. Fraud and scams are constantly on the rise — and Gen Z might be tech savvy, but it’s important to be savvy about cybersecurity, too. In a survey by the National Cybersecurity Alliance, 34% of Gen Z have been victims of a phishing scam. This is evidence that the cyber landscape is ever evolving and there are new threats popping up every day. No matter how old you are, you’re always susceptible to these scams, so it’s vital to stay ahead of the game and have good cyber hygiene.

Why should you care? Besides personal information being leaked, not having good cyber hygiene could damage your career prospects, financial stability and even your reputation. Colleges and even job recruiters will likely check your social profiles, so it’s important that they’re squeaky clean. Being vigilant and learning how to recognize cyberthreats is key — whether you’re on a dating platform, a gaming site, messaging app or just checking emails.

Here are six important tips to keep in mind while being active on the internet:

1. Use strong passwords — This one may seem like a no-brainer, but when was the last time you took the initiative to update them? Not because they were involved in a data leak or may have been compromised, but just because you realized you hadn’t updated them in a while. If you’ve had your password for more than a few months, you should probably do that now. It’s also a good rule of thumb to make sure that your passwords are different for each site that you log in to, and don’t use common knowledge info such as your birthday, the name of your pet, or your mother’s maiden name. Security.org recommends using 12-16 characters, a combo of letters, numbers and symbols, and not repeating characters. You could also use a passphrase, which is a combination of 3-4 words, numbers and symbols.
2. Be wary of offers that seem too amazing — If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Be cautious of that random person who emailed you — chances are they don’t have millions of dollars that they’re going to send you if you give them your Social Security and bank account numbers. Phishing and fraud scams are extremely common, so it’s important that you learn how to spot them.
3. Always use secure websites — It’s so easy to get onto websites that aren’t safe while you’re online, particularly when you’re shopping. So, when TikTok directs you to a store for those new sneakers you’re dying to get your hands on, think twice before you click. When you’re browsing the web, make sure your browser has the little lock icon in the left-hand corner. That’s how you know the site you’re on is secure. If that site isn’t secure and you enter your credit card information, there’s a good chance your card could be compromised. If that happens, it’s not always easy to get that money back.
4. Set up multi-factor authentication — When you can, we recommend using this feature because it makes it a lot harder for hackers to access your accounts. If multi-factor authentication (MFA) is set up, it requires a multi-step login process, which keeps criminals at bay. With MFA, if someone tries to log in to your account, you’ll get a special code sent to your email, or a text that you would need to enter after your password is entered. So even if a hacker knew your password, they wouldn’t be able to log in to that account because they wouldn’t have the code that was sent to your phone. Consider using biometrics as well, like facial recognition or your fingerprint. This makes it even tougher for hackers.
5. Recognize phishing, malware and other scams — Some of these crimes can be easy to spot, and others can be tough. You may not fall for a blatantly obvious email scam, but when you get a real- looking text from your favorite retailer saying that you could win $500 by entering a legitimate- looking sweepstakes, it may be a little harder to spot. There are also a lot of online storefronts that look legitimate but aren’t, so it’s super important to keep your guard up. We’re not saying not to ever trust anyone, but take a step back and try not to give everyone the benefit of the doubt. This is particularly important on dating apps. There are lots of romance scammers out there who use social engineering to gain trust. Make sure you do your research about whether something is real or fake.

A few general, “common sense” cybersecurity tips to keep in mind are to never leave your devices unattended, always make sure they’re up to date with the latest software and always use a passcode. Only install apps from trusted sources like the AppStore® or Google Play™ and avoid completing sensitive transactions on public Wi-Fi networks and Bluetooth.

You should also be monitoring your credit report and bank statements regularly — this might seem like it’s unrelated, but it’s not. Doing so is a great way to see if you see any unfamiliar accounts, loans, etc. that could indicate identity theft. And last but not least, when shopping online, try to opt for using PayPal or your digital wallet to pay for things. The reason? Debit cards are linked directly to your bank account so it’s easier to steal your info, and your money. On the other hand, PayPal and your digital wallet are encrypted and makes it harder for hackers to get your financial information.

Share these tips with your parents — Gen X and baby boomers — or other family members who aren’t tech savvy to make sure they have good cyber hygiene, too.

Security matters to us

Security is a top priority for Citizens — whether it’s for your bank account or your personal accounts. Maintaining good cyber hygiene as a young adult can help you right now and in the future. It could also affect you when you’re looking for jobs, keeping your credit score up and getting a good rate on a loan.

Cybersecurity may not always be easy to understand, but we’re always here to help. The threat of cyber scams is always there, but once you know how to identify them and safeguard yourself, you’ll be set up for success as you start out your financial journey.

If you’re looking for a bank that always has your security top-of-mind, we’ve got you covered. From the Citizens best-in-class mobile app and online banking* platform that have all of the top security features to a library of learning articles to help you learn how to keep yourself and your financial data secure, we’re working around the clock to keep you as cybersecure as possible.