IS ONLINE SAFETY ULTIMATELY OUR RESPONSIBILITY?
Blog Is Online Safety Ultimately Our Own Responsibility?
Is Online Safety Ultimately Our Own Responsibility?
The recent media coverage of the Sony and Citibank cyber attacks focused on the sheer magnitude of the threat to online safety. However, sitting beneath the media exposure surfaces lurks a much more disturbing trend. The rapidly increasing number of cyber attacks-especially on personal accounts- has information technology experts worried. “What you’re seeing now is hackers gone wild,” says Hemanshu Nigam, founder of the online security company SSP Blue. “It’s time for America and the world to wake up to this horrible situation.
A number of research studies demonstrate the lack of awareness that Internet users have about online safety issues. Innovations such as Web 2.0 have left people grasping for online safety straws. The introduction of myriad applications outpaces the regulations from Washington D.C. Despite constant exposure to technology, most Americans possess low digital literacy levels, such as understanding how web browsers function and which online sources to trust. The Internet’s constantly changing complexion forces people to adopt the “It will never happen to me” mindset, which as we know, does not help us prepare for emergencies that include natural disasters and vehicle accidents. We need to change the mindset of trusting the government to protect our online safety.
Online safety is ultimately our own responsibility.
You don’t have to be a technical wizard to buttress your online safety. Just follow a few easy to implement steps to start your journey towards digital self-reliance.
Many websites prompt you to create hard to breach passwords by requiring you to add symbols and numbers to each password that you create. Another strategy that online safety experts recommend is to alternate between small and large case letters. Never use easy to guess passwords, such as the name of your dog or favorite recording artist.
Viruses and worms self-install in your computer by attaching to files and computer programs. Emails also act as carriers for viruses and worms, especially whenever online users open tainted emails. Some viruses destroy file folders by expunging data, although the recent trend is to send viruses to spy on computer users. We recommend that our clients install the latest anti virus software to prevent this severe threat to online safety.
If you have children, the answer to the question “is online safety ultimately our own responsibility” is a resounding yes. Monitoring social media use and email accounts prevents strangers from gaining access to your children’s lives. Make sure to keep a child’s computer within your viewing range, preferably in the living room far removed from the child’s bedroom.
Computer programs often referred to as Trojans install malicious software on computer hard drives. Trojans can install mass mailing programs the prompt sudden surges in spam mail. Trojans that are more nefarious reduce computer speeds or wipe out entire hard drives. The best method for keeping Trojans at bay involves only downloading and running software from verifiable trusted sources. Anti-Trojan programs conduct routine scans to verify software sources.
Before leaving on vacation, a mother posted on her Facebook page the dates of the vacation. She posted the information for the world to see, including criminals that eventually broke into her home. Make online safety your responsibility by keeping your personal life outside the realm of cyberspace.
You can no longer ignore the rapidly growing threats to your online safety. hide.me provides several services that bolster your online safety and keeps your private digital data out of the hands of unscrupulous snoops.