Governor Roy Cooper issued a release on Tuesday, urging North Carolina residents to be aware and cautious of potential cyberthreats following reports of increased likelihood.
The release followed a bulletin from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security warning about the potential of a response from Iranians over the American airstrike that killed Iranian General Qassem Soleimani on January 2. An unsecure federal webpage also saw pro-Iranian messages posted onto it by hackers following the airstrike, raising concern over cybersecurity.
“The best way we can keep our state’s cyber systems safe,” Cooper said in the release, “and help prevent crippling attacks is to pay attention. When in doubt, do not click. Cyber criminals have many reasons for trying to beat our systems, and I encourage everyone to do their part and be sure they understand online security practices.”
Cooper’s office encouraged North Carolinians to be suspicious of unsolicited emails from unknown addresses and to pay attention when clicking on web addresses. Other tips include keeping software up to date and avoiding sending sensitive, personal identifiable information or passwords in messages.
The release said large groups like businesses and government agencies are generally at greater risk for ransomware attacks. The new year poses an opportunity to remind employers and employees of cybersecurity best practices, as well as refreshing what controls and protocols are in place in the event of a cyberattack.
For more online resources on how to protect data, visit the N.C. Department of Information Technology’s website.
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