Tips on staying safe online (a cyber security special)

Written by Asa Sargeant | 01/11/23 14:00

October was cyber security month and last weekend it was International Internet Day. Therefore, we felt it would be useful to explore some tips on staying safe online in our latest blog. Most of us surf the web to some degree, so these ‘nuggets’ are well worth a look.

The Internet: The Greatest Invention Of Them All?

A subjective question for sure, and one that depends entirely on how “the greatest” is defined. Another thing for sure though is the profound and transformative impact the internet has had on the world. In simple terms, it has revolutionised the way people communicate and access information. Umpteen new business models have been facilitated, as has the exchange of knowledge and ideas on an unprecedented scale.

Think for a moment about your activities over the past 24 hours; how many interactions have you had with an online device? A Google search here, a YouTube video there – and that probably doesn’t touch upon your working processes. In essence, the internet is undeniably one of the most influential inventions of the modern era. However, with all the positives come certain negatives – such as cyber security risks.

The Importance Of Cyber Security

Cyber security is designed to protect individuals, organisations and even nations from online threats and risks. Here are some key reasons why it is crucial:

- Cyber security protects sensitive data
- It prevents data breaches
- Security measures can help to protect the privacy of individuals by preventing unauthorised access to personal information.
- At an organisational level, it delivers business continuity by minimising disruptions caused by cyber-attacks

Cybersecurity is essential for safeguarding our digital lives. It offers protection for the critical systems and information that underpin modern society. Through a combination of technology, policies, education and best practices, the evolving landscape of cyber threats can be addressed.

Stay Safe Online With These Top Tips

You do not have to be an expert in cyber security to stay safe online. Just consider the following tips from our friends at CRIBB Cyber Security:

- Protect your email by using a strong and separate password or pass phrase (try using three random words for either)
- Consider using password managers
- Install the latest software and app updates (these contain vital security updates to help protect your devices from cyber-criminals)
- Back up your data
- Turn on 2-step verification (2SV) / 2-Factor authentication (2FA) / Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

For additional details on these tips and more, feel free to get in touch with CRIBB. Alternatively, you can visit the NCSC website as another good source of information.

If you enjoyed ‘Tips on staying safe online’, then you might like to read this article:

Tips to stay safe online (from CRIBB Cyber Security)

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