{"id":171769,"date":"2024-11-01T06:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-11-01T11:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/?p=171769"},"modified":"2024-10-31T17:31:16","modified_gmt":"2024-10-31T22:31:16","slug":"boosting-cyber-literacy-6-essential-steps-for-staying-safe-and-savvy-online","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/2024\/11\/boosting-cyber-literacy-6-essential-steps-for-staying-safe-and-savvy-online\/","title":{"rendered":"Boosting cyber literacy: 6 essential steps for staying safe and savvy online"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><em>Thanks to the broad range of online threats that exist, increasingly, we are expected to be cyber literate. But what exactly is cyber literacy? In this article, we answer that question and provide some practical steps to enhance your cyber literacy and key areas to focus on.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In our increasingly digital world, There has been an emphasis on individuals becoming more digitally literate. However, improving cyber literacy is more important than ever.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To be clear, cyber literacy\u2019s focus is primarily on online safety, security, and responsible usage. On the other hand, digital literacy covers a broader set of skills, including the effective and critical use of digital tools, technologies, and online resources. Hence, cyber literacy could be seen as a specialised subset of digital literacy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In light of the breaches that have occurred in Barbados over the last few years, and more recently at the Barbados Revenue Authority, it should not come as a surprise that the country\u2019s Minister of Industry, Innovation, Science, and Technology, Marsha Caddle, expressed concern about citizens poor understanding of digital safety:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>\u201cI think most important [to] the cyber hygiene of your institution and of the country, is the people. What are the steps, what are the practices that individuals and organisations take every day to make sure that your last line of defence, the people who are using the software working in the institutions understand the risks and do not take unnecessary risks with information\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThere is this notion that the Internet is a place where knowledge happens, and so I will click on something and I will start to understand\u2026 not realising that that is one of the easiest ways to get access to things people should not have access to\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-right\">Source:\u00a0 <a href=\"https:\/\/barbadostoday.bb\/2024\/10\/26\/cyber-illiteracy-a-threat-warns-minister\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Barbados Today<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The views the Minister expressed on people\u2019s attitude to the internet and data security are not unique to Barbados. Although we all use the internet and enjoy the benefits of having such access, many of us are woefully ignorant about the associated risks and dangers and, more importantly, the steps we, personally, can take to reduce our risk and exposure. We outline six, which, if followed, would greatly boost your cyber literacy<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Understand basic cybersecurity concepts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A great first step to becoming cyber literate is familiarising yourself with essential cybersecurity concepts. These foundational practices are not new, as experts have been advocating their use and adoption for several years. However, by understanding and implementing them, you will be well on your way to a safer online experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Password hygiene.<\/strong> Use strong, unique passwords for each account and consider a reputable password manager. Ideally, passwords should be long \u2013 the longer, the better, and a combination of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers and characters. Further, passwords should not be repeated and should not be simple and readily recognisable words.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Two-factor authentication (2FA).<\/strong> Although enabling 2FA might be a bother \u2013 an additional step before you can fully access your account, it adds an additional layer of security beyond your password.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Data encryption.<\/strong> Encryption helps keep your data secure when it is stored or transmitted.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Antivirus and anti-malware software.<\/strong> Regularly updating security software is critical for protecting your devices, and it is also important to run a full scan of your devices regularly to ensure you are aware of any vulnerabilities that have been identified.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Be aware of social engineering attacks<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Social engineering is one of the most common types of cyber threats, relying on human psychology rather than software vulnerabilities. Phishing emails, phone scams, and other social engineering techniques aim to trick people into divulging personal information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Recognise phishing emails and messages. <\/strong>Look out for emails with odd sender addresses, poor grammar, urgent demands, or concerning matters of which you are not aware. Always verify before clicking links or sharing information.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Verify sources.<\/strong> When contacted by someone claiming to be from a reputable organisation, contact the organisation directly to confirm. Also, when questionable emails are received, checking the sender\u2019s email address may give you some clues as to the source. If unsure, independently research the organisation and contact it directly.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. Stay informed on privacy and data protection<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>To effectively manage your digital footprint, it is important to know what data you share online and how it is used. It is thus crucial to stay informed on privacy issues and your rights as the owner of your personal data and content, so you can make conscious decisions about the information you share.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Read privacy policies.<\/strong> Often, we are eager to access the services we want and so accept the terms of service and privacy policy without reviewing them. However, privacy policies help you understand how companies use your data, so it is important to familiarise yourself with the terms of any services you use.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Control permissions.<\/strong> Regularly review permissions on mobile apps and social media accounts to limit data access. Disable access to unnecessary information like location or contacts.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Use Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) when necessary.<\/strong> If you\u2019re using public Wi-Fi or a network where you are uncertain of the security that is in place, a VPN adds an extra layer of security, making it harder for others to access your data.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. Manage digital health and information literacy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Cyber literacy goes beyond technical skills; it includes understanding how to engage with information online responsibly. Awareness of possible traps and pitfalls is key.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Practice information verification.<\/strong> With the rise of fake news and misinformation, double-check facts before sharing. Use reliable sources and cross-reference information.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Understand algorithms.<\/strong> Social media platforms use algorithms to suggest content to keep you engaged and on the platform for as long as possible. Being aware of this can help you moderate your exposure, avoid confirmation bias and broaden your perspective.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5. Practice safe digital communication<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Communicating online involves risks, especially when sharing sensitive information. Social media platforms, in particular, can give us a false sense of security, and we may divulge matters to our network or followers that we otherwise would not do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Be cautious with personal data.<\/strong> Avoid sharing sensitive information like your social security number or financial details over email or text.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Use secure communication platforms.<\/strong> Opt for messaging platforms with end-to-end encryption, like Signal or WhatsApp, for personal conversations.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Understand the risks of social sharing.<\/strong> Social media can make you more vulnerable to identity theft or other threats if you overshare personal information, such as your birth date, address or even your location in real-time.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">6. Keep up with technology and security trends<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Finally, it is crucial to keep in mind that the digital landscape is constantly evolving. The onus is on you to keep abreast of the changes, the ways you could be affected and how to better protect yourself. By staying informed, you will be better prepared to handle emerging threats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Follow reputable cybersecurity sources:<\/strong> Websites like the Electronic Frontier Foundation, and government sites like the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), regularly update about current threats.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Participate in cybersecurity training:<\/strong> Many online courses, often free, are available on platforms like <a href=\"http:\/\/coursera.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Coursera<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/learning\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">LinkedIn Learning<\/a>. Many of these courses are not intensive and will not result in certification but will help you to deepen your understanding and keep your skills up to date.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">To wrap up\u2026<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Whether for personal use or professional security, a strong foundation in cyber literacy helps protect against data breaches, identity theft, and misinformation. However, improving your cyber literacy is an ongoing process that requires vigilance and adaptability. Remember, the more informed you are, the better equipped you will be to navigate and enjoy all that the digital world has to offer\u2026 safely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Image credit: \u00a0onlyyouqj (<a href=\"http:\/\/freepik.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Freepik<\/a>)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Thanks to the broad range of online threats that exist, increasingly, we are expected to be cyber literate. But what exactly is cyber literacy? In this article, we answer that question and provide some practical steps to enhance your cyber literacy and key areas to focus on.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":171770,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"off","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[11],"tags":[105],"class_list":["post-171769","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ict-tech","tag-cybercrimecybersecurity","et-has-post-format-content","et_post_format-et-post-format-standard"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Hand-pressing-security-button-on-touch-screen-internte-cyber-attack-security-onlyyouqj-Freepik.jpg?fit=1024%2C722&ssl=1","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p2iE1G-IGt","jetpack-related-posts":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/171769"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=171769"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/171769\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":171771,"href":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/171769\/revisions\/171771"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/171770"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=171769"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=171769"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=171769"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}