How to Protect Yourself Online

Are you wondering how to protect yourself online? In this blog post, we will answer all your questions. 

As you may already know, October is Cyber Security Awareness Month. This campaign is internationally recognized and was created to inform the public about the importance of cyber security. This month of blogs is revolved around the themes that the Government of Canada is focusing on. The themes are focused on helping Canadians to be more secure online, be informed and know steps to protect themselves, families, work, and devices. 

The second theme that the Government of Canada has put together is how cyber threats affect you. 

It's important to stay cyber safe all year. Click here to read how you can do this. 

A common misunderstanding regarding cyber security it that you need to be an expert with a variety of tools at your disposal to be able to protect yourself against cyber threats. Everyone is capable of embrace simple behaviours that can protect them against most common cyber threats.

In some situations, you might already be aware of these behaviours, but you either undervalue their importance or you choose to ignore them because they're bothersome.

Also, you might be confused from the overwhelming amount of security advice received daily. 

For individuals, your personal behaviours online are just personal. How you manage accounts or what level of security is chosen is all your choice. At the very least, it should be an informed choice. 

The Canadian Centre for Cyber Security developed the below steps. These steps are simple to put into practice and are effective when implemented. 

Steps to Protect Yourself Online

       1. Practice good password etiquette

• Don't share passwords
• Make each password unique and complex
• Use two-factor authentication

       2. Accept updates to all devices: mobile, computers, applications

• Always accept updates to all devices - mobile, computers, applications
• Allow updates to install automatically

       3. Secure social media and email accounts

• Update your privacy and security settings
• Don't use social media to log into online accounts 

       4. Be on guard for phishing and spear-phishing messages

• Know how to spot phishing and spear-phishing messages
• Don't respond to suspicious emails or click suspicious links
• Use up to date anti-virus software

       5. Store your data securely and know backup procedures

• Use only new USB sticks purchased by you or someone you know
• Don't use USB sticks on untrusted computers
• Turn on security features for data stored online
• Back up your vital personal information

Some Stats

• 87% of Canadians don't share their passwords
• 80% of Canadians use passwords with random numbers and letters
• 36% of Canadians use multi-factor authentication
• 73% of Canadians keep security software up to date
• 98% of Canadians use email
• 82% of Canadians use social media
• 10% of Canadians have replied to a phishing email unknowingly
• 74% of Canadians save files on their computer's hard drive
• 53% of Canadians save files on an external hard drive
• 39% of Canadians save files in a virtual server or cloud

We hope that you have learned more about how to protect yourself online. If you have any questions, use the section below. 

Looking to make sure you are even more safe online? Download this free Security Awareness Kit. 

Sources:

Government of Canada. (2019). October 2019 Themes for Cyber Security Awareness Month. Retrieved October 16, 2019 from, https://www.getcybersafe.gc.ca/cnt/rsrcs/csam/thms-en.aspx

Government of Canada. (2019). Cyber Security Awareness Month How to protect yourself online. Retrieved October 26, 2019 from, https://www.getcybersafe.gc.ca/cnt/rsrcs/nfgrphcs/csam-2019/wk3-en.aspx