How to stay cyber-safe: Tips and tricks Par :Alana Reich October 1, 2024 Estimated reading time: 4 minutes. October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month in Canada, marking a time of year where we draw extra attention to the ways in which we can protect ourselves online. As we continue to rely more and more on the internet and technology in general, it’s important to stay vigilant as cyber scams and threats are increasingly running rampant. In fact, did you know that in 2022, 7 in 10 Canadians (70%) experienced a cybersecurity incident? In order to stay safe online and reduce our vulnerability to cyber incidents, it’s important to learn about and develop an awareness of what cyber attacks look like. This article will detail why it is crucial to stay cyber-safe, and will also explore a variety of habits that you can start implementing today to keep your digital information secure. Lastly, we’ll dive into options for launching a career in cybersecurity and how you yourself can become an expert by learning all there is to know about cybersecurity. Why you need to be cyber-safe Staying safe online is important for a variety of different reasons. First and foremost, cyber-safety is the key to keeping your sensitive data and assets secure, and ensures that your confidential information is not leaked or stolen. If your information falls into the wrong hands, you unfortunately could be subject to issues such as identity theft or financial loss through ransomware attacks. A ransomware attack is when a hacker blackmails or holds your information against you until some sort of ransom is provided (typically financial). Although cybersecurity is definitely important for any individual with internet access, staying cyber-safe is also particularly vital for large corporations, as they can also be subject to cyber attacks like ransomware. In big organizations, it is particularly crucial to keep sensitive information private, including financial data and employee records, as data breaches can compromise employee privacy and can also lead to financial loss. Having solid cybersecurity measures also helps corporations maintain a positive reputation, as clients or customers can trust that their personal data is being held safely and securely. Additionally, since cybersecurity has become such a common practice nowadays, many countries even have laws and regulations for how corporations need to go about protecting customer data. With this in mind, big organizations need to prioritize cybersecurity and make sure they are complying with regional or federal requirements so they can stay out of any legal trouble. Now that you know why it is so important to keep cybersecurity top of mind, let’s explore different strategies and tactics that you can apply in your daily life to help you stay safe online. How to stay cyber-safe 1. Think before you click! One of the most common forms of cyberattacks is phishing, where an attacker will impersonate a credible source, such as your bank or financial institution, to “bait” you into revealing private information. Because of this, it is vital to double-check any suspicious-looking links or attachments before clicking on or opening them. Make sure to verify the email address of any communications as well to ensure it is a legitimate communication. As a rule of thumb, if it sounds too good to be true, then it usually is! 2. Set up a multi-factor or two-factor authentication (2FA) A multi-factor or two-factor authentication is essentially an extra layer of security that you can add when logging into your personal accounts. Multi-factor authentications work to verify your identity usually by prompting you to enter a one-time code or sequence when attempting to log in. In turn, this decreases the chances of hackers entering your account, as even if your password becomes compromised, only you will have access to your authenticator. Two-factor authentications like Google Authenticator or Microsoft Authenticator are available for download on mobile and can be set up in a few easy steps. 3. Keep your passwords safe and strong On the topic of passwords, it’s important to make sure your passwords are stored in a safe and private place. Although you probably used to write down your passwords in a physical notebook, the better practice nowadays is to use a digital password manager that is embedded in your browser. Try your best to use different passwords for every account, and make sure your passwords are a strong combination of special characters and numbers (avoid using short or easily guessable sequences like 123 or ABC). It can definitely be hard to remember so many different passwords, but this is where a password manager comes in handy! 4. Be private on social media If you keep your social media accounts public, keep in mind that hackers can very well comb through your posts to try and find personal information that might be used as a password (e.g. the name of your dog, your middle name, etc). With this in mind, try to limit the amount of sensitive information you willingly release to the internet, or better yet, consider switching your accounts to private so that only your close friends and family can access your profile. 5. Install regular updates Software updates often come with bug fixes, so another best practice is to turn on automatic updates on all your devices. This will make sure your phone, laptop and/or tablet are up-to-date with the most secure software to protect against threats. 6. Leverage biometric security features If you haven’t already, be sure to turn on a fingerprint or face recognition security system so that only you can get into your devices. Since 4-digit PINs can sometimes be easily guessed (e.g. your birth date or year), using biometrics adds another layer of safety if your password becomes compromised. You can also consider using a 6-digit PIN or a unique letter sequence on top of facial/finger recognition to further protect your devices. 7. Use anti-virus software If viruses or malware finds its way into your laptop or computer, whether it be from a fraudulent USB or a suspicious website, your personal and private information can become at risk. This is why it is often suggested to download anti-virus software, such as McAfee or Norton 360, that can automatically detect and remove suspicious software before it harms your device. Although most of these programs require a paid monthly or annual subscription, it is definitely a worthwhile investment to keep your data secure. Plus, many programs offer free trials so you can decide which one is right for you. Become a cybersecurity expert If all this talk about cybersecurity peaks your interest, you can even take it a step further by becoming a cybersecurity expert yourself! Cybersecurity professionals help safeguard companies, public infrastructure and other organizations from cyber attacks, so it is definitely a meaningful and important job function. If you’re ready to launch your career in cybersecurity, you can enroll in Lighthouse Labs’ Cybersecurity Bootcamp to kick-start your learning. Whether you’re interested in our immersive, full-time program or our flexible, part-time program, there’s a learning option for everyone. Regardless of how you choose to complete the bootcamp, rest assured that you’ll come out with the essential tools and knowledge you need to become a cybersecurity pro. Download our curriculum to learn more about the bootcamp and to see how Lighthouse Labs can set you up for success.