STOP. THINK. CONNECT.TM Cybersecurity is a shared responsibility. The line between our online and offline lives is indistinguishable. The internet is impacting our homes, societal well-being, and economic prosperity. Parents teach kids basic safety practices – like looking both ways before crossing the street. Online safety and privacy begin with parents leading the way. Learn to use the internet safely and responsibly and ensure that networks and mobile devices are secure.
Here are some basic cybersecurity essentials the entire family can deploy to protect homes against cyber threats:
Wi-Fi – Routers – Switches
- Change manufacturer's default admin password to a unique strong password.
- Enable guest accounts.
- Use a VPN for secure connections.
- Enable Firewalls.
- Use network monitoring apps to scan for unwanted users.
- Restrict remote administrative management.
- Log out of administration console after configuring.
- Keep device firmware up-to-date.
- For more information visit Home Network Security.
Surf with Care
- Use safe and secure browsers like Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Microsoft Edge.
- Avoid visiting unsafe websites.
- Avoid clicking on links displayed in ads.
- Check for “HTTPS” and the image of a lock when browsing websites.
- Keep web browsers up-to-date.
- Avoid installing unknown web browser extensions or plugins.
- Configure browser privacy settings.
- Share with care.
- Monitor your accounts for suspicious activity.
Malware
Malicious Software (Malware) can infect computers or mobile devices and cause harm. Malware can spread, and infect other machines causing harm to a network environment. It is important to “keep a clean machine”, by maintaining a safe environment for yourself and others.
- Avoid downloading illegal software or content onto your device.
- Click with care, beware of links in emails, or social media posts.
- Use and keep Antivirus software up-to-date.
Internet of Things (IoT)
The Internet of Things or IoT is a term that describes internet-enabled devices, electronics, computers, home appliances, vehicles, and much more. These devices are entering homes more frequently. Most notably are devices from Amazon Alexa (Echo), Google Home, Nest, Samsung SmartThings, and Logitech. While these devices improve our day-to-day experiences, they also have inherent cybersecurity risks.
- Secure your device, use unique passwords.
- Keep device firmware up-to-date.
- Keep device on a separate network, if possible.
- Disable unused features.
- Enable Multi-Factor Authentication, if available.
- Avoid connecting to public Wi-Fi.
