Technology is snowballing, attacks are innovating, and users’ vulnerability is increasing. Even though security is also growing and being developed by cybersecurity analysts, the job is not done. It is important to understand that security doesn’t start or end with the professionals fighting for good; it also counts on the people who use the technology every day, like all of us.

Now, what can you do to prevent these massive attacks that are ruining people’s lives and big companies around the whole world? Simple, make the decision – play smart! Now, you’ll probably want to know how to do that? Right?

Every October, cybersecurity awareness month serves as a timely reminder for companies and individuals to check their cybersecurity practices after a tumultuous year of cyberattacks across industries.

In 2021, the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) will continue using the overarching theme:

Do Your Part. #BeCyberSmart.

Each week of this fantastic month will be based on a different topic. This article will guide you through it and help you be Cyber Smart at the same time. Let’s go!

Week 1. Cybersecurity First.

To protect your data, such as passwords, files, or information, cybersecurity needs to be the first thing in your life.

The best way to protect yourself first is to do the basics without using any tools, like making strong passwords, having different passwords for different platforms, or avoiding putting your personal information on untrusted links. These actions may seem so basic they don’t help – but they do. They are really helpful as they make it a lot more difficult for attackers.

Week 2. Phight the Fish.

You might have heard the word phishing, but what’s that exactly? Around the world, some people fish daily, and it is curious to see the fish just getting trapped repeatedly and how the fishermen use and improve their techniques to get their prey.

“I don’t know why the fish keeps being caught like that,” you may think, but millions of users fall into the trap every day with just a click. It’s incredible how much information you can give through a link. That’s why you must be aware of the causes and consequences of phishing – because it’s your job to fight it.

Do not open every link you see. Even if you like cats a lot, you don’t need to open every file about cats you see. Hackers know that you might love cats (or dogs), and because they do, they’re going to use that to your disadvantage, so your job to protect yourself starts today: fight phishing!

Week 3. Explore. Experience. Share.

Right now, you may be in the step of your life in which you are discovering new things, such as visiting new places and moving forward, so… have you ever wonder what a day in the life of a cyber professional is like?

Cybersecurity professionals, or infosec analysts, have a wide range of responsibilities, but the goal of their job is to protect data online from being compromised. As more of our personal information is stored online, it becomes more important to step up security.

Explore new ways to protect yourself, experience putting them into practice, and you could also consider a career in cybersecurity. There are 500.000 open cybersecurity jobs across the United States, a field with a 0% unemployment rate since 2010 and an average starting salary for entry-level employees of $82,500.

We can not only raise awareness about cybersecurity but also work to make our communities safer.

Week 4. Be Cyber Smart.

What does it mean to be cyber smart? We just talked about it – make it harder for those who want your data. Increase those basic security measures that are so crucial for you. As we said, users don’t usually pay attention to having a strong password or checking before clicking because they see them as “basic” and don’t think how these measures could protect them. That’s precisely why the attackers can and will take advantage of the situation.

Raising cybersecurity awareness is more crucial than ever. You can’t leave everything to the cybersecurity professionals and assume your personal information “doesn’t matter to strangers.” This is your time to make a choice.

So, what are you waiting for? Do your part “#BeCyberSmart.”

If you want to learn more about this interesting topic, contact us.