Make Your Home a Haven for Online Safety
Helping to protect the internet is "Our Shared Responsibility" that begins at home.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 1, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Today marks the first day of the 15th annual National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM), an extensive online safety awareness and education initiative co-led by the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA) and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Each week throughout the month will highlight cybersecurity awareness by examining a specific theme. Focus areas include practicing good cybersecurity at home; building a capable cyber workforce; establishing a strong culture of cybersecurity at work and safeguarding the nation's critical infrastructure.
NCSAM efforts fall under the umbrella of Our Shared Responsibility, which recognizes that we all need to do our part to help protect the internet: when we do so, we make the internet safer for everyone. Underscoring this notion, NCSA invites you to view a special message from William O'Connell, chief business security officer at ADP® and chairman of the NCSA Board of Directors. In addition, NCSAM 2018 will shine a spotlight on the critical need to fill the millions of rewarding jobs in cybersecurity. You can actively support NCSAM, too, by becoming a Champion. All organizations and individuals are encouraged to sign up. NCSA is excited to announce that Intel is joining on to support NCSAM. Intel's innovation powers the smart and connected digital world. As a Champion, Intel will remind users that keeping computer software, applications, and systems updated helps maintain a safer computing environment for us all – at home or at work. Signing on is easy and does not require any financial support. Learn more here: https://staysafeonline.org/ncsam/ncsam-champions/.
Today, many households have parents, toddlers, tweens, teens and grandparents living under one roof. Each of these age groups is likely to have unique awareness levels and online habits. With consumer interest in smart home products increasing – 48 percent of U.S. consumers intend to buy at least one smart home device in 2018 ‒ ongoing education for all generations is critical. It is important to note that in spite of the spike in potential product purchase, there is great concern among consumers about privacy and security. By continuously learning about and practicing good cybersecurity at home, the entire household and online community at large will reap the benefits of a more secure, connected world.
Whether younger children are playing with their connected toys, mom is adjusting the thermostat remotely, or teen-age kids are engaged in social media, everyone must learn how to use the internet responsibly. Below is some tried-and true-advice to keep in mind when examining different groups and their knowledge base.
- Every child is taught basic safety precautions, like not talking to strangers and looking both ways before crossing the street. Teaching young kids easy lessons for online safety and privacy begins with parents leading the way. Click here for positive, age-appropriate advice that will set the course for a happy online life.
- As tweens and teens begin to rule the roost ‒ fully experiencing life online, connecting with friends and playing games ‒ it is important for them to continuously take safety measures, think about the consequences of their actions and connect knowing they are doing their best to protect their reputation. Learn more here: https://staysafeonline.org/resource/rethink-cyber-safety-rules-tech-talk-teens-2017/.
- The share of American adults who own smartphones is now at 77 percent – up from 35 percent in Pew Research's survey of smartphone ownership. In fact, one-in-five Americans are now "smartphone only" internet users at home. These devices contain significant information about you and your friends and family, including contact numbers, photos and locations and must be protected. Learn how to keep smartphones and other mobile devices safe and secure: https://staysafeonline.org/stay-safe-online/securing-key-accounts-devices/mobile-devices/.
- There has also been significant tech adoption in recent years among older generations – particularly Gen Xers and Baby Boomers who can now stay in touch with family and friends nationwide and across oceans. Learn more here: https://staysafeonline.org/stay-safe-online/managing-your-privacy/privacy-tips-older-adults/.
"The line between our online and offline lives is indistinguishable. In these tech-fueled times, our homes, families, friends and almost every aspect of our lifestyle is impacted by the internet," said Russ Schrader, NCSA's executive director. "This week, we will look at the general consumer audience and identify opportunities where everyone can make a change – starting at home ‒ and with a strong reminder that protecting the internet is Our Shared Responsibility."
NCSA's Top STOP. THINK. CONNECT.™ Tips
This week, and throughout October, follow these STOP. THINK. CONNECT.™ tips for a safer and more secure digital life. Additional easy-to-follow information is also available in the NCSAM 2018 infographic (hyperlink) – download and/or share on social media using the hashtag #CyberAware.
- Lock down your login: Your usernames and passwords are not enough to protect key accounts like email, banking and social media. Strengthen online accounts and use strong authentication tools like a unique, one-time code through an app on your mobile device.
- Keep a clean machine: Keep all software on internet-connected devices – including personal computers, smartphones and tablets – current to reduce risk of infection from ransomware and malware.
- When in doubt, throw it out: Links in email, tweets, posts and online advertising are often how cybercriminals try to compromise your information. If it looks suspicious, even if you know the source, it's best to delete or, if appropriate, mark as junk.
- Back it up: Protect your valuable work, music, photos and other digital information by making an electronic copy and storing it safely. If you have a copy of your data and your device falls victim to ransomware or other cyber threats, you will be able to restore the data from a backup.
- Personal information is like money. Value it. Protect it.: Be thoughtful about who gets that information and how it is collected.
Here are simple actions that everyone can do to help support the concept that helping to protect the internet is Our Shared Responsibility:
- Use #CyberAware and share a tip on social media.
- Download and share the NCSAM 2018 social media graphics for Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. https://staysafeonline.org/resource/ncsam-2018-social-media-graphics/
- Sign up as a NCSAM Champion.
- Join our weekly #ChatSTC Twitter Chats each Thursday in October at 3 p.m. EDT/Noon PDT.
Resources
- STOP. THINK. CONNECT.™: View The Internet's Most Wanted video.
- Symantec: Security is non-negotiable and security awareness isn't limited to the workplace. Watch and share Symantec's FREE Security Awareness Quick Tip video series for brief, actionable information to share with your friends and family! Be sure to talk to your friends and family about the inherent risks associated with their actions at work, at home and at school whether they're online or not.
- How to Keep Your Kids Safe
- VPNFilter - Malware That Targets Your Router
- Don't Let Your Social Network Profile Get Hacked!
- How to Spot a Bogus URL!
- Pew Research Center's new report finds that 59 percent of U.S. teens have personally experienced at least one of six types of abusive online behaviors. The most common type of harassment teens encounter online is name-calling; indeed 42 percent of teens say they have been called offensive names online or via their cellphone and 32 percent of teens say someone has spread false rumors about them on the internet. Fully 90 percent of teens believe online harassment is a problem that affects people their age, and 63% say this is a major problem. But majorities of young people think key groups, such as teachers, social media companies and politicians are failing at tackling this issue. By contrast, teens have a more positive assessment of the way parents are addressing cyberbullying. These findings are drawn from surveys of 743 teens and 1,058 parents living in the U.S. conducted March 7 to April 10, 2018. http://www.pewinternet.org/2018/09/27/a-majority-of-teens-have-experienced-some-form-of-cyberbullying/
Virtual Events
- Make Your Home a Haven for Online Safety Webinar, Wednesday, Oct. 3, 1 p.m. EDT/10 a.m. PDT ‒Kick off National Cybersecurity Awareness Month (NCSAM) with Symantec's program partners, the National PTA and ConnectSafely to discuss the basic essentials the entire family can deploy to protect their homes against cyber threats. Speakers include: Paige Hanson, Chief of Identity Education, Symantec; Collin Robinson, National PTA and Larry Magid, CEO, ConnectSafely.org.
Please Join Us, Register Today! https://www.symantec.com/about/webcasts?commid=330285&mkt_tok=70138000001FdZ6AAK&es_p=7646126#featured - CyberSecure My Business™ Webinar – Small Business Scams: What to Look Out For and How to Protect Your Small Business From Them, Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2 p.m. EDT/11a.m. EDT ‒ Join NCSA and our partners at the Federal Trade Commission for our NCSAM CyberSecure My Business™ webinar, where we'll be discussing small business scams and how small business owners and employees can identify them and protect themselves against such scams. To register visit https://staysafeonline.org/event/csmb-webinar-small-business-scams/.
- #ChatSTC Twitter Chat: Make Your Home a Haven for Online Safety, Thursday, Oct. 4, 3 p.m. EDT/noon PDT ‒ Every day, parents and caregivers teach kids basic safety practices ‒ like looking both ways before crossing the street. With all family members using the internet to engage in social media, adjust the home thermostat or shop for the latest connected toy, it is vital to make certain that the entire household ‒ including children – learn to use the internet safely and responsibility. This #ChatSTC will discuss online safety in the home and how to instill best practices for family members of all ages. Use #ChatSTC and #CyberAware to join!
- EDUCAUSE Live! Webinar: Campus-Wide Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) Saturation Campaign, Thursday, October 11, 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. EDT ‒ This presentation by Robert Jorgensen of Utah Valley University will discuss how Utah Valley University partnered with NCSA to promote the adoption of 2FA for the student population using a multifaceted saturation campaign. https://events.educause.edu/educause-live/webinars/2018/campus-wide-two-factor-authentication-2fa-saturation-campaign
In-person Events
- CyberNextDC, Thursday, Oct. 4, Venable LLP, 600 Mass. Ave. NW, Washington, D.C., 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. ‒ In honor of National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, the Cybersecurity Coalition, the Cyber Threat Alliance and the National Security Institute at George Mason University's Antonin Scalia Law School invite you to join us for the second annual CyberNextDC. This year we are excited to welcome confirmed speakers Deputy Assistant Attorney General Adam Hickey from the Department of Justice, Rapid7 CEO Corey Thomas, Tenable CEO Amit Yoran and many more. It will be an exciting day of discussion and debate on the most critical and pressing issues in cybersecurity today. Please keep an eye on our website for updates to the agenda at https://www.cybersecuritycoalition.org. We hope you can join us and look forward to seeing you on October 4!
- Cyber Safety Day – New Orleans, Wednesday, Oct. 10, New Orleans (multiple locations) Cyber Safety Day–New Orleans is a one-day event created by the nonprofit Center for Cyber Safety and Education, to provide free cyber safety materials to elementary schools who otherwise wouldn't receive digital citizenship education during Cybersecurity Awareness Month in October. Thanks to our partnership with Congressman Cedric Richmond, the New Orleans Visitors Bureau, (ISC)² Security Congress and the donations of local organizations, materials for over 1,000 kids have been secured so far.
- 2018 Florida Cyber Conference, October 10 ‒ NCSA will host a CyberSecure My Business™ pre-conference session at the 2018 Florida Cyber Conference. The Florida Cyber Conference, presented by the Florida Center for Cybersecurity (Cyber Florida) at the University of South Florida, will convene stakeholders from industry, government, the military and academia to share information, network, explore ideas, and learn about emerging trends and today's hottest cybersecurity topics. To learn more and register visit https://flcybercon.com/
Learn more about upcoming NCSAM events (and submit your own events to the calendar) at https://staysafeonline.org/event_category/ncsam/.
About National Cyber Security Awareness Month
National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM) was created as a collaborative effort between government and industry to ensure every American has the resources they need to stay safer and more secure online. Now in its 15th year, NCSAM is co-led by the Department of Homeland Security and the National Cyber Security Alliance, the nation's leading nonprofit public-private partnership promoting the safe and secure use of the internet and digital privacy. Recognized annually in October, NCSAM involves the participation of a multitude of industry leaders ‒ mobilizing individuals, small and medium-sized businesses, nonprofits, academia, multinational corporations and governments. Encouraging digital citizens around the globe to STOP. THINK. CONNECT.™, NCSAM is harnessing the collective impact of its programs and resources to increase awareness about today's ever-evolving cybersecurity landscape. Visit the NCSAM media room: staysafeonline.org/about-us/news/media-room/.
About the National Cyber Security Alliance
NCSA is the nation's leading nonprofit, public-private partnership promoting cybersecurity and privacy education and awareness. NCSA works with a broad array of stakeholders in government, industry and civil society. NCSA's primary partners are DHS and NCSA's Board of Directors, which includes representatives from ADP; AT&T Services Inc.; Bank of America; CDK Global, LLC; CertNexus; Cisco; Cofense; Comcast Corporation; ESET North America; Facebook; Google; Intel Corporation; Marriott International; Mastercard; Microsoft Corporation; Mimecast; NXP Semiconductors; Raytheon; Salesforce; Symantec Corporation; Visa and Wells Fargo. NCSA's core efforts include National Cyber Security Awareness Month (October); Data Privacy Day (Jan. 28); STOP. THINK. CONNECT.™, the global online safety awareness and education campaign co-founded by NCSA and the Anti-Phishing Working Group with federal government leadership from DHS; and CyberSecure My Business™, which offers webinars, web resources and workshops to help businesses be resistant to and resilient from cyberattacks. For more information on NCSA, please visit staysafeonline.org/about-us/overview/.
About STOP. THINK. CONNECT.™
STOP. THINK. CONNECT. is the global cybersecurity education and awareness campaign. The campaign was created by an unprecedented coalition of private companies, nonprofits and government organizations with leadership provided by the National Cyber Security Alliance and the Anti-Phishing Working Group. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security leads the federal engagement in the campaign. Learn how to get involved at stopthinkconnect.org.
SOURCE National Cyber Security Alliance
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