The details about what happened when Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram all went dark are still unclear; however, it’s a great reminder for us to take a second look at our accounts online and consider taking extra cybersecurity steps today. So here are some tips for all of us!
1 Check yourself!
Different apps have different levels of protection. iOS apps require users to communicate through HTTPS, but that’s not the case for some Android apps. It’s best to either check the privacy policy of each tool or inspect the website for an official stamp from a data protection organization. While not the most relaxing read, consider reviewing the terms and conditions of your apps, games, and sites before you agree to them!
2 S+RoNg Pa$$word$
We know you love that dog, but even your favorite pet’s name can be hacked, and it only takes a computer pro or algorithm milliseconds to do so. Ensure your passwords are long, complex, and use a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols. Another great tool is a password manager that will create and encrypt password credentials for you
3 Encrypt that!
Did you know? The ‘S’ in “HTTPS” stands for ‘secure’ (encrypted), which means that any data leaked or gained by unauthorized people is unusable. Encryption secures and protects any data you send online from snoops and hackers.
4 Keep it to yourself
This may be obvious, but it’s easy to forget in a world of digital connection and sharing to keep some things under wraps. It only takes a tiny bit of personal info to allow someone to get your identity, bank transactions, or more. That includes sharing accounts, and you might want to reconsider swapping Netflix accounts.
Are you interested in cybersecurity? You should check out our
National Youth Leadership Forum: National Security program to get some rich insights into this growing field!
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