USA TODAY International Edition
Prepare for a cyberattack and launch a backup plan
In the very first days that the Russia- Ukraine war started, I warned you about 10 Russia- Ukraine cons to expect. We’re already seeing evidence of those scams in action. Be sure you’re keeping your digital guard up.
Smishing – the insider term for scam texts – is a popular route. Most people are less guarded scanning texts than emails. Misinformation and misleading posts are slamming social media, too. As sanctions increase and Russia’s tactics intensify, it’s easy to think that you will not be affected aside from high gas prices. This idea is exactly what will get you into trouble –— time to wake up.
Cyberattacks: What you need to know
In 2020, Russian hackers invaded several federal government agencies, including the nuclear weapons agency. That’s small potatoes of what could come. A Russian attack on our fiber optic cables or satellites would take down a ton of critical sectors, like internet traffic, banking, GPS, water treatment facilities, power plants, and the power grid.
Many cybersecurity experts predict large- scale Denial of Service attacks. This attack swamps a website with trillions of pings. The website is so busy answering each ping that it can’t respond to anything else. If this happens, government and private industry could take days or even months to sort out. Wait, there’s more. Russia could launch phishing and other attacks to plant dangerous malware and ransomware on business and individual computers and networks.
What if the internet goes down? Have a plan
Our minds jump to the worst- case scenario in times of distress. Say your internet goes out. Before blaming a large- scale attack, make sure the problem isn’t closer to home. You can check outage monitoring site Down Detector if only specific sites aren’t loading. If your internet is out and you have cell service, you can use your phone as a hotspot.
What if there’s no wireless service? Have a plan for that too
When Michael Jackson died 13 years ago, so many people were calling one another the nation’s mobile phone system became overwhelmed and unusable. Hurricane Sandy flooded lower New York City in 2012. Again, mobile phones were the first service to go.
If America is hit with cyberattacks, expect to lose reliable service. Now is the time to work on your personal plan of what you and your family will do without working smartphones. Nominate one person in your family ( maybe that person is you) to check in regularly. Maybe it’s once a day; perhaps it’s once a week.
If there’s no cell connection, but your internet is working, use your texting app, Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, or another messaging option to keep in touch. Work out with your family and friends on the chosen platform ahead of time.
Find alternative charging methods
Full disclosure: I have a backup generator at my home. At first, I thought it was a complete waste of money. Now that the generator has automatically kicked in a few times when the power goes out, I am happy that I made the investment.
Generators aren’t the only way to go. We recently reviewed a solar option at Komando. com that can power up to 85% of appliances. It’s expensive but powerful for longer- term needs. Alternatively, power banks are an affordable way to recharge your devices. Most power banks will hold a charge for a few months. A power bank from Anker has enough juice to charge two phones, and it’s around $ 20.
Solar- powered chargers work in a pinch. For about $ 50, one from BLAVOR takes around 13 hours to recharge, then can power up an iPhone up to 4.5 times. A ransomware attack could compromise medication supplies. Email your doctor and ask for a 90- day prescription to be filled. Have them email it to you to print it out and take a hard copy to the pharmacy.
Better yet, create an online account with your pharmacy. This way, you can monitor any activity and make special requests. Getting 90- day prescriptions will not only keep you covered in case of supply issues, but you might also be able to save some money too.
Security: Lock down your home network
Adjusting router settings can feel intimidating if you’ve never done it before. Start by logging into your router’s administration console. Every router has a different way of doing this; check your manual for specific instructions.
Don’t have a manual? Check the manufacturer’s site. You want to look at the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol Client List or Attached Devices section. This shows what gadgets are connected to your router, typically listed by IP address, MAC address and/ or name. Figure out which ones belong to you. You should recognize your main computer’s name, and your tablet or smartphone should have the name of the manufacturer or model. If you can’t make sense of the list or identify certain devices, turn off each gadget one by one.
Enable antivirus program if you’re not using it already
Much of today’s malware is sneaky enough to hide on your system without leaving many clues. There are signs of infection. Is your computer or phone using more data than usual? Are your devices getting hot to the touch for no reason? A solid antivirus program can spot the signs that you can’t. I advise regularly scanning your system for malware, spyware, and other threats. My pick is TotalAV.
Learn about all the latest technology on the Kim Komando Show, the nation’s largest weekend radio talk show. Kim takes calls and dispenses advice on today’s digital lifestyle, from smartphones and tablets to online privacy and data hacks. For her daily tips, free newsletters and more, visit her website at Komando. com.
The views and opinions expressed in this column are the author’s and do not necessarily reflect those of USA TODAY.