The Ultimate Guide to Staying Safe Online This Holiday Season

As the holiday season approaches, the excitement of online shopping and the increased use of digital tools in our professional lives, especially in dental practices, brings with it the need for heightened cybersecurity awareness. Online cyber scams are set to steal millions of dollars from unsuspecting victims over the next few weeks.

Every day 350,000 new pieces of malware are created. That’s about 4 new threats every second, and the holiday season is the perfect time to become a victim.

Whether you’re managing patient records at your dental office or hunting for the perfect gift online, staying safe in the digital world is crucial.

Here’s your ultimate guide to navigating this festive season securely.

1. Strong Passwords: Your First Line of Defense

In the Office: Ensure that all systems, especially those containing patient information, are secured with strong, unique passwords. Avoid common words and include a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols.

At Home: The same rule applies. For personal accounts, especially those used for online shopping, use unique passwords for each online account. Consider a password manager to keep track of them all.

2. Beware of Phishing Scams

In the Office: Educate your team about the dangers of phishing emails. These deceptive messages often appear as urgent requests or offers, sometimes pretending to be from known vendors or healthcare partners. Take advantage of myla’s online dental cybersecurity course for your team.

At Home: Be equally cautious. Scammers often create fake holiday deals or charity donation requests. Always verify the source before clicking on links or providing personal information.

3. Keep Software Updated

In the Office: Regularly update all software, including security programs. This ensures that any known vulnerabilities are patched, keeping your dental practice’s data secure. You can buy cybersecurity-as-a-service to ensure your security is monitored and maintained.

At Home: Don’t ignore those update notifications on your personal devices. These updates often include critical security enhancements.

4. Secure Your Wi-Fi Network

In the Office: Use a secure, encrypted Wi-Fi network. Consider a separate network for guest or patient use to protect sensitive office data.

At Home: Secure your home Wi-Fi with a strong password and consider using a VPN (Virtual Private Network) for an extra layer of security, especially when entering payment details for online purchases.

5. Train and Educate

In the Office: Regular cybersecurity training for your dental team is vital. Make it fun and engaging, ensuring everyone understands the importance of protecting patient data. Myla’s online dental cybersecurity course is fast, affordable, and easy.

At Home: Stay informed about common cyber threats. Share your knowledge with family and friends to help them stay safe too.

6. Back-Up Data Regularly

In the Office: Regular backups of patient and office data can be a lifesaver in the event of a cyberattack. Ensure these backups are secure and easily accessible in an emergency. Make sure you test your backup systems by conducting bi-annual fire drills to ensure the restoration will work when needed.

At Home: Back up important personal data, like photos and documents. Use cloud services or external hard drives for this purpose.

7. Monitor Your Accounts

In the Office: Regularly check the office systems for any unauthorized access or unusual activity. Early detection can prevent significant breaches. Alexio Defender is a dental cybersecurity solution that will do this for you.

At Home: Keep an eye on your bank and credit card statements, especially after making online transactions. Report any suspicious activity immediately.

8. Use Secure Payment Methods

In the Office: When purchasing office supplies or services online, use secure payment methods and ensure the websites are legitimate and encrypted (look for “https” in the URL).

At Home: The same applies to personal online shopping. Use credit cards or secure payment services like PayPal for added protection.

Final Thoughts

Staying safe online, both in your professional life at the dental office and in your personal life, is more important than ever during the holiday season. By following these tips, you can enjoy the festivities without the worry of digital threats. Remember, cybersecurity is a team effort – at work and at home. Stay vigilant, stay informed, and have a safe and joyous holiday season!

Stay Safe – Get Training From Canada’s Dental Cybersecurity Experts

If you haven’t already, take the Cybersecurity Essentials for Dental Teams course to ensure you have the skills and confidence to navigate safely online to protect patient and personal data.

Anne Genge, Certified Information Privacy Professional, Certified Healthcare Cybersecurity Professional, Certified Healthcare Security Risk Assessment Specialist

Anne is the founder of Myla Training Co., Canada’s first-ever online privacy and cybersecurity training platform for dental professionals. With over two decades of experience, Anne has become a leading expert and trainer in this field. Anne collaborates closely with practice owners, managers, dental teams, and IT providers to ensure the safety of patients and practice data while enabling compliance with privacy regulations.

Anne can be reached at anne@myla.training or call 877-363-9229 x702