Living in a world of technology and advancement requires total awareness of navigating life in such a world. With the significant increase in cyber threats and cyberattacks, it has become crucial to educate and empower users on the importance of cybersecurity and the steps to take to be safe in the digital space.
As a volunteer at Nogofallmaga, an initiative of the Cybersafe Foundation and an enthusiast of Cybersecurity, I commenced a virtual Cybersecurity Awareness Task in commemoration and support of the Cybersecurity Awareness Month in October 2022, wherein I shared cybersecurity tips on my social media handles.
The Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the National Cybersecurity Alliance have mapped out the month of October every year to raise awareness of the importance of Cybersecurity – Cybersecurity Awareness Month.
My initial plan for the 2022 Cybersecurity Awareness Month was to collaborate with cybersecurity volunteers in my area to conduct a physical sensitization march, but the difficulty in identifying fellow volunteers and cybersecurity enthusiasts around me truncated the birth of my idea. This, however, led to my decision to engage in an online movement, contributing my quota in sensitizing netizens to promote a secured cyberspace.
My virtual awareness task was centered on the following-
1. Strong/Unique Password for your devices–
This entails the importance of using a strong and unique password for your devices, tips for creating a strong password, disadvantages of writing down your password, and enabling your two or three-factor authentication.
For every account you own, it is crucial that you use unique passwords. Your password is your first defence against unauthorized access to your computer, mobile device or personal information.
Tips for creating strong and unique passwords –
- Your password should contain lots of characters. Always prioritize the length.
- Characters should be a mixture of upper and lower cases, letters, numbers and symbols.
- Do not include your personal information (name or address) while creating your password, as same can be readily ascertainable and leave your information vulnerable to attacks.
3. Downloading apps from trusted app stores-
Always ensure to download apps from trusted apps stores. Check the apps ratings, reviews and policy before you download. Many apps from untrusted sources contain malware that’d steal your information and install viruses once downloaded.
The truth is, in our society, most people and their businesses are not privy to information about their safety in the digital space and therefore remain vulnerable to cyberattacks.
This year, for the Cybersecurity Awareness Month in October, I intend to sensitize more people on the importance of cybersecurity, and I wish to meet like-minded people who I can work with to achieve this goal.
Do you wish to join the Cybersecurity Awareness March 2023?
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