Cybersecurity: Education, Prevention, and Response Strategies

Protect yourself from Cyberattacks

With so much of our lives online, are you aware of the risks you face?

Despite only 5-10% of people reporting fraud, the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre received fraud and cybercrime reports totaling a staggering $530 million in victim losses in 2021. From phishing scams to ransomware and identity theft, the responsibility ends up on us as individuals to ensure we protect ourselves from cyberattacks as far as possible.

Today Marcelo is joined by cybersecurity expert James Fournier to talk about protecting yourself against cyber threats and what to do if you fall victim. James has been in the industry for over 20 years, and he’s seen it evolve and the different trends that crop up over time. As a technology expert, he has an emphasis on cybersecurity, and he’s a wealth of knowledge in the field.

In this episode, James and Marcelo discuss what cybersecurity really means, the foundations everyone should have to protect themselves, online security’s do’s and don’ts, why you need to use two-factor authentication and password managers, red flags to avoid, and so much more!

James has been instrumental in training us at TMA on what to be aware of what to do and what not to do, and we think you’ll learn a lot from what he has to share.

Thank you for listening!

Educate yourself on Cybersecurity

• Why every Canadian needs to educate themselves on cybersecurity (2:06)

• Scary statistics on the prevalence of fraud and cybercrime in Canada (4:17)

• James’ background and journey into the IT industry (6:01)

• Our approach to cybersecurity at TMA (8:08)

• What is cybersecurity? (9:35)\

• The most common cybersecurity pitfalls (11:53)

• Red flags that can signal a phishing attack (14:54)

• Different types of cyber attacks that can impact investors (18:31)

• Why preventative systems are crucial (24:07)

• Steps to take if you think you’ve been scammed (26:32)

• How two-factor authentication (2FA) works and why you need it (29:18)

• Why James recommends using a password manager (31:16)

• How to think about using antivirus software (36:32)

• Why training yourself on the potential risks and best practices is essential (39:36)

• And much more!

Mentioned in this Episode:

• James Fournier’s Website | JFITS.ca
• Tulett, Matthews & Associates
• Keith Matthews’ Book | The Empowered Investor: A Guide to Building Better Portfolios