Expressing it is part of something big that has a less mystical meaning nowadays. 59% of the world’s population, almost 4.57 billion people, are active users of the Internet.
One minute on the Internet in 2020 means 404,444 hours of Netflix videos uploaded by users, 2,704 installations of TikTok applications, 6,659 packets sent by Amazon, 208,333 Zoom Meetings, 500 hours of YouTube videos uploaded by users, 347,222 Instagram stories and 41.7 million WhatsApp messages (source: Statista).
Most of us are online and spend more time online, but are we safer?
What else does the year 2020 teach us about cyber security?
Because the Internet has become the most important space for interaction between people and the most important means of working, communicating, learning and supporting each other, it has become even more insecure. One of the lessons of the Covida 19 pandemic is that hackers focus on the growing dependence on digital tools, fears, hopes and new habits. The pandemic has opened up new opportunities for hackers. It all started with the coronavirus scam and phishing in March, when we discovered nine times more coronavirus-related malware messages than in previous months. According to a recent survey, 32% of consumers claim to have been affected by digital fraud involving the Covid-19.
So what can we do?
The main theme of Cyber Security Awareness Month 2020* is Do Your Part. ~ BeCyberSmart ~ That’s exactly what we did in other areas of our lives this year, and it worked. This will certainly make our networked world safer and more resilient for everyone.
Let’s uncover the four most common myths about online safety and take action:
Myth: Antivirus belongs to the past.
It’s true: What is called an antivirus has evolved over the years into a multi-layered security package. Although the usual antivirus has been considered dead for several years, a complete set of security tools should be created for all devices connected to it today. To leave a device unprotected is to leave the front door open to see if a burglar enters. In short, when you plug it in, you protect it. Most antivirus software subscriptions involve more devices. Install protection on each of them to protect your family.
Myth: A possible password is sufficient.
It’s true: A weak password can turn your life upside down. If hackers can guess, they have full access to your emails, personal documents, bank accounts, photos and videos. Choose strong, complex, unique passwords and enable two-factor authentication for all your Internet accounts that support this feature. If possible, you should choose to provide two-factor codes in the application instead of SMS. This way you can avoid logging in with stolen or lost usernames and passwords when shopping online, watching streaming videos, attending online trainings, working or sending emails.
Myth: VPN doesn’t really protect my privacy on the internet.
It’s true: Yeah, that’s it. The VPN encrypts your computer traffic and transmits it across multiple geographic locations, hiding your IP address and protecting you from the massive data collection typical of cybercriminals and your local ISP. This can be useful in many situations – for example B. if you use public WiFi – because it means that nobody shares the network with you and you cannot see the information you are sending over the network. If you are unsure who manages the open network you are trying to connect to, make sure VPN is enabled before you send anything of value remotely.
It’s true: Every 39 seconds an alleged cyber attack takes place, which makes it more likely than we think. Reports show, for example, that you have a one in four chance of becoming the victim of a data breach, and often you haven’t done anything wrong, but you have subscribed to a popular but vulnerable service. In comparison, the average citizen has a chance of 1 in 50 to steal a house, a chance of 1 in 14,600 to be hit by lightning, a chance of 1 in 2.7 million to be hit by a grizzly bear and a chance of 1 in 175 million to win the lottery.
Today, we can no longer imagine a world without the Internet. It’s hard to predict exactly what the future of the online world will look like, but one thing is for sure.
* Cyber Security Awareness Month was launched in October 2004 by the National Cyber Security Alliance and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. It is designed as a partnership between government and industry to provide every American with the resources he needs to be safer online. For more information, please visit https://staysafeonline.org.
*** This is a syndicated blog from Christina Popov’s HOTforSecurity blogger network. The original message can be found at the following address: https://hotforsecurity.bitdefender.com/blog/cybersecurity-awareness-month-2020-the-perfect-year-to-talk-think-and-act-cybersecurity-24260.html.
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