Security in a digital world

Whether you’re ordering groceries, playing games with friends, or delivering a presentation for work, life in 2021 happens online. Are your cybersecurity practices strong enough to keep up with the latest threats?

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month across Canada, making it a great time to brush up on your knowledge and pick up some new tips.

More of our personal information continues to move online as we embrace digital services. This isn’t a bad thing, but it does mean that we must become more aware of our digital presence and be better prepared to protect our data. Consider your account with your favourite retailer—it most likely has your full name, home address, and credit card number saved for convenient future use. Your email account may have even more sensitive information.

You owe it to yourself to protect that information through strong cyber-habits. Here are some easy ways to get started:

• Never recycle passwords. If an email and password combination is compromised, cyber-attackers often try to use the same combination on other popular websites in an attempt to gain access. Use a password manager to help you manage your accounts.
• Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) whenever possible. MFA requires users to provide at least two pieces of information to access an account. This often takes the form of a password and a code that is sent to a pre-approved device, such as your phone.
• Change account passwords if a device is lost or stolen. Any accounts that are connected to the pre-approved device could be at risk. Take no chances. Change your passwords.
• Always read app privacy permissions. Many of us use our phones to manage our online lives. Read the privacy policy before installing a mobile app or game, and make sure the permissions do not put your privacy or the privacy of your contacts at risk. A game shouldn’t need access to your camera or phone, for example. Nor should it need you to share the information in your contact lists.

Want more information? Check out our cybersecurity tips webpage. You can also follow Service Alberta on Twitter or the Consumer Protection Alberta Facebook page throughout October for more helpful tips from the Cybersecurity Services team that protects government systems and networks every day. Leave us a comment with your favourite cybersecurity tips.

Cybercriminals are getting more responsive, but so are you.

This Cybersecurity Awareness Month, let’s work together to stay ahead.