Cybersecurity is Our Shared Responsibility
Since my debut novel,
Who R U Really?
, features an Internet predator, I'm often asked to speak to groups of all ages about online safety. Here are a few tips I share with everyone:
NAVIGATE SOCIAL MEDIA SECURELY• Manage your settings both on your devices and social media platforms to control who sees your profile, photos, comments, and more.• Be selective and only accept friend requests from people you know in real life. Then monitor your list of friends to regularly reassess who has access to your information.
PROTECT SENSITIVE INFORMATION • Never share it via email or instant messaging. • Beware of contests and “free” offersthat require your personal information. • Use caution when entering information on websites.o SECURE = web address begins with “https” or has a closed padlocko TRUSTED = the official website of the organization
AVOID FRAUD ON THE INTERNET • Practice research strategies by considering the source, utilizing multiple websites, and relying on current information. • Exercise shopping strategies by using a single, dedicated credit card and monitoring your statements regularly.
UTILIZE ADDITIONAL RESOURCES• www.stopthinkconnect.org• www.aarp.org/technology/safer-internet • www.microsoft.com/security• AND check out my previous posts: Safer Internet Day Resources, Get CyberAware this October, Stop.Think.Connect., and 8 Ways to Use Gadgets Safely & Securely.
BECOME INVOLVED • Impress your friends by posting online about cybersafety. • Encourage your local community center, library, or school to host a cybersecurity program. • Discuss the importance of Internet safety with your family. • Distribute Stop.Think.Connect. materials in your neighborhood and community. • Report if you are the victim of online fraud to the Department of Justice at: www.justice.gov/criminal/cybercrime/reporting
Stop.Think.Connect. is a national public awareness campaign aimed at increasing the understanding of cyber threats and empowering the American public to be safer and more secure online. The Campaign’s main objective is to help you become more aware of growing cyber threats and arm you with the tools to protect yourself, your family, and your community.
NAVIGATE SOCIAL MEDIA SECURELY• Manage your settings both on your devices and social media platforms to control who sees your profile, photos, comments, and more.• Be selective and only accept friend requests from people you know in real life. Then monitor your list of friends to regularly reassess who has access to your information.
PROTECT SENSITIVE INFORMATION • Never share it via email or instant messaging. • Beware of contests and “free” offersthat require your personal information. • Use caution when entering information on websites.o SECURE = web address begins with “https” or has a closed padlocko TRUSTED = the official website of the organization
AVOID FRAUD ON THE INTERNET • Practice research strategies by considering the source, utilizing multiple websites, and relying on current information. • Exercise shopping strategies by using a single, dedicated credit card and monitoring your statements regularly.
UTILIZE ADDITIONAL RESOURCES• www.stopthinkconnect.org• www.aarp.org/technology/safer-internet • www.microsoft.com/security• AND check out my previous posts: Safer Internet Day Resources, Get CyberAware this October, Stop.Think.Connect., and 8 Ways to Use Gadgets Safely & Securely.
BECOME INVOLVED • Impress your friends by posting online about cybersafety. • Encourage your local community center, library, or school to host a cybersecurity program. • Discuss the importance of Internet safety with your family. • Distribute Stop.Think.Connect. materials in your neighborhood and community. • Report if you are the victim of online fraud to the Department of Justice at: www.justice.gov/criminal/cybercrime/reporting
Stop.Think.Connect. is a national public awareness campaign aimed at increasing the understanding of cyber threats and empowering the American public to be safer and more secure online. The Campaign’s main objective is to help you become more aware of growing cyber threats and arm you with the tools to protect yourself, your family, and your community.
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