I’ve been thinking about Q’s warning. How can we prepare for massive cyber attacks following the election? Put digital photos, music, and Important documents/records on thumb drives?
What will happen to our bank records and retirement investments? Should we print everything out in October? Is the Cloud safe from attacks?
This article has tips for individuals to follow, but I’m not sure they are adequate for a massive attack:
https://us.norton.com/internetsecurity-emerging-threats-cyberattacks-on-the-rise-what-to-do.html
What will happen to our bank records and retirement investments? Should we print everything out in October? Is the Cloud safe from attacks?
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FYI-a few of my thoughts on this question:
As a general rule, I print out all significant data monthly. I also save all deposit tickets-anything you might need as proof of your holdings. For my main accounts, I do not get E-statements-I make them send me statements which I keep filed.
Also, give consideration to taking out a stash of cash to last when the ATM machines go down, or the Banks declare a “holiday” ie you won’t be allowed to withdraw money-this has happened in other countries, when their financial system went down the tubes.
When I worked at a large bank, we were required to save everything on a disk weekly and that was stored on site in a fire proof safe. Monthly backup was performed by the IT team, and it went from our location to 3 other offsite locations in other states.
That way in case of catastrophic events, the bank would have within 24 hrs. all data accessible for the last month. Within 3 days, all the weekly data would be available, and that would just leave 7 or less days of reconstruction to be done.
The goal was to be reopened within 3 days for customer service at alternate locations-staffed by essential personnel. All of this contingency planning took place as mandated by the Federal Examiners in case of an Earthquake on the New Madrid or some other event.
The bank had to find locations within the area that would likely remain untouched by local disaster — it had all the utilities, desks, etc. so that within an hr. or so it could be staffed and recovery of data to begin. Turnkey so to speak.
Is the Cloud safe from attacks?Offline means offline. NO CLOUD! Get it on a hard or thumb drive, burn it to DVD, copy to floppies, or print it. Whatever you gotta do to get it off the internet.
I've been taking a screen shot of my bank accounts every three days or so. It's not a bad idea. Also download your statements offline.
If you have a Twitter account, there is a way to download your entire history. Do it monthly. On desktop in the left nav go to More --> Settings & privacy --> Account --> Your Twitter data. You'll get an email link to download.
