National Cybersecurity Awareness Month (NCSAM), launched in October 2004, continues to raise awareness about the importance of cybersecurity, ensuring that we all have the resources we need to be safer and more secure online. Cleburne ISD is proud to support this online safety awareness and education initiative which is co-led by the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA) and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency (CISA) of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
The overarching theme for Cybersecurity Awareness Month 2021 is “Do Your Part. #BeCyberSmart.”
If everyone does their part – implementing stronger security practices, raising community awareness, educating and training vulnerable audiences – our interconnected world will be safer and more resilient for everyone. When we all take simple steps to be safer online, it makes using the Internet a more secure experience for everyone.
STOP: make sure security measures are in place.
THINK: about the consequences of your online actions.
CONNECT: and enjoy the Internet. For additional information on
Get Familiar with the Cyber Basics
At a time when we are more connected than ever, being “cyber smart” is of the utmost importance. This year has already seen more than a fair share of attacks and breaches. Luckily, there are several steps that we can take on a daily basis to mitigate risks and stay one step ahead of malefactors. Here are a few quick tips:
Enable MFA
Multi-factor authentication (MFA) adds that necessary second check to verify your identity when logging in to one of your accounts. By requiring multiple methods of authentication, your account is further protected from being compromised, even if a bad actor hijacks your password. In this way, MFAs make it more difficult for password cracking tools to enable attackers to break into accounts.
Use strong passphrases/password manager
This may seem obvious, but all too often securing strong passphrases/password managers is overlooked. People spending more time online during the pandemic has certainly contributed to more bad actors prowling for accounts to attack. Using long, complex, and unique passwords is a good way to stop your account from being hacked, and an easy way of keeping track and remembering your passwords is by using a password manager.
Perform software updates
When a device prompts that it’s time to update the software, it may be tempting to simply click postpone, and ignore the message. However, having the latest security software, web browser, and operating system on devices is one of the best defenses against online threats. So, don’t wait - update.
Do your research
Common sense is a crucial part of maintaining good online hygiene, and an intuitive step to stay safe online is to do some research before downloading anything new you are downloading to your device, such as apps. Before downloading any new learning app on your device, make sure that it’s a by checking who created the app, what the user reviews say, and if there are any articles published online about the app’s privacy and security features.
Check your settings
Be diligent to double-check your privacy and security settings, and be aware who can access your documents. This extends from Google docs, to Zoom calls, and beyond. For meetings on Zoom, for example, create passwords so only those invited to the session can attend, and restrict who can share their screen or files with the rest of the attendees.
Being cyber smart and maintaining stellar online hygiene is the best way to protect yourself and others from cyber attacks. No single tip is foolproof, but taken together they can make a real difference for taking control of your online presence. Following these tips is also easy, and free. By taking preventive measures and making a habit of practicing online safety, you can decrease your odds of being hacked exponentially - and prevent lost time and money, as well as annoyance.
We encourage you to set aside time to discover what your children are doing online, to discuss how each member of the family can help keep personal computers and devices safe from cyber attacks, and to teach them about their digital footprint.
