Stay Cyber Safe: Tips for Everyday Digital Security

Cybersecurity Awareness: originating from the need to remain updated about the present and potential dangers of being network/internet users, and even more how to remain safe from such dangers, will always be an ongoing process.

Following the recently concluded cybersecurity awareness month which we at TechSafe celebrated with our themed NOLOOSEGUARD program, where we held daily cybersecurity challenges, and hosted physical and school outreaches as well as organization outreach, we've decided to also create this article centered on creating more awareness on the need to remain digitally safe irrespective of this being a cybersecurity awareness month or not.

Being in a technologically advanced society comes with its own perks. The modern man has evolved from sending his written letters through the post office or post man for communication purposes to typing his messages out and sending them with a click. The internet is now an important and essential part of our society, from work to entertainment, with communication purposes as well, digital gadgets such as our phones, laptops, etc. has made everything seamless but with added risks such as storing valuable personal and work-related information. 

While continuing to rely on the internet and digital gadgets to manage our lives, we should also remain aware of the dangers of storing such information as well as risks such as phishing – attempts made to steal sensitive/important information using disguised emails, messages; Data breaches – theft of confidential or sensitive information by an unauthorized person: etc. and other known and unknown threats which we are exposed to daily. Hence the growing need to thoroughly understand cybersecurity – the ongoing process of remaining digitally safe of secure.

“John is your typical 30 years old man with existing social accounts tied to his physical Identity. Due to his negligence in taking appropriate security measures, someone gained access to his social and work accounts without his knowledge; this said someone was able to pose as him using his identity to scam his loved Ones of their hard-earned money.”

As internet users and network users, we must always remember that these risks, if not well taken care of can lead to outcomes such as financial loss, identity theft, etc. which is why to ensure basic security, here are a few tips:

- Always use strong and unique passwords for all your accounts and enable multi factor authentication. As internet and network users, we always find ourselves in instances where there’s need to create accounts in certain apps or websites; these could be personal or work related. The need for strong passwords and authentication in securing such accounts can never be overemphasized as failure to have those in place leaves us open to threats and risks such as data breaches.

- Avoid clicking suspicious links or opening email attachments from unknown senders. This phishing threat leaves us open to outcomes such as financial loss or even identity theft.

- Ensure to always update the software and systems of your gadgets; this is not limited to your phones, laptop, etc. This practice helps in creating added defense in your digital tools by ensuring security patches from updates, fix vulnerabilities/ risks that could be exploited.

Although these tips give a certain amount of security, they are not enough as cybersecurity is a continuous process. Cyber threats are and will always evolve. hence the need to educate oneself on cybersecurity. Here at TechSafe, we make it our sole aim to continually educate people on the need to remain digitally safe; and will always welcome members and people in need of such knowledge. While this article is now at a close, this subject matter will carry on another day.

Perhaps in our next issue but till then ensure to keep in mind these tips and remain

digitally safe!