October is cybersecurity month. To make sure you are protecting yourself and your information online, here are some important facts you need to know:
What does cybersecurity mean?
Cybersecurity covers a range of tools and best practices to keep your information safe from online threats. With so much of our personal and business information stored on servers, hard drives and in the cloud, it is important to take the necessary steps to safeguard your data.
Cybersecurity – where to start
The world of cybersecurity can seem daunting, especially if you’re not that tech-savvy. But, there are simple things you can do protect yourself from cyber threats:
- Choose strong passwords and make sure you have a different one for each site. The more difficult the password, the harder it is to crack. And, by using different passwords for different applications, you can minimize your risk if a password is compromised.
- Implement software updates. Developers are always on the lookout for security flaws in their systems, and updates often contain patches that help keep you safe.
- Use caution when opening an email from an unknown sender. If an email is asking you to click a strange link, send your password or initiate an e-transfer, it could be malicious.
For more tips, check out the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security.
Why cybersecurity is important
The number of online tools we use is only increasing, especially now as many of us work and study from home. There are also increasing numbers of cyber threats out there, and it doesn’t look like that will change anytime soon. By implementing a few key measures, we can make sure we all stay safe online.
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Check out Fanshawe's Cyber Security advanced diploma program.