National Cyber Security Alliance Visits MN To Educate Online Consumers

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- In this day and age, hackers are finding more ways to compromise online security and steal information.

To prevent the future issues, the National Cyber Security Alliance is on a 10-city tour to educate consumers on ways to protect themselves. Tuesday, the group visited Minnesota.

The event, "Two-Steps Ahead: Protect your Digital Life," was held at the Union Depot in St. Paul.

The executive director, Michael Kaiser, said when it comes to buying a Christmas gift online, checking banking account information or social media, picking a strong password is only the beginning.

Kaiser adds that two-step verification" systems are a good way to block hackers.

He said it's an extra layer of security, beyond the typical username and password.

"Most of the major websites offer this—Google, Facebook—you put in your password and log-in and get a code texted to your phone. That's a big layer of protection and hurdle for bad guys to get in your account," he said.

Kaiser also cautioned people against using the most common password: 123456. He said passwords that are short and weak are targets for cyber criminals and easy to steal.

A recent study found last year 21 percent of internet users had an online account compromised.