Cyber Security for Families
Back in the late nineties and early two thousands, when internet was first becoming a fixture in virtually all American households, cyber security for families was in the news all the time.
Back in the late nineties and early two thousands, when internet was first becoming a fixture in virtually all American households, cyber security for families was in the news all the time. People were (understandably) anxious about this new technology that they were bringing into their homes, and they wanted to take every possible precaution in order to protect themselves and their children from any potential threats. In today's world, the internet has become so ubiquitous and pedestrian that many people no longer have the same wary attitude that they did in the past. The internet is now viewed as a simple utility and nothing more. What you should realize, however, is that our acclimation to the dangers of the web has been somewhat paradoxical. Cyber crime has not declined -- in fact, it has skyrocketed. A good illustration of this fact: CNBC reports that, worldwide, cyber theft cost the global economy more that $450 billion dollars in 2016. This is not to say that you should be afraid of the internet -- after all, the benefits that it offers greatly outweigh the risks. Every technology, from automobiles to space heaters to cleaning chemicals, poses at least some threat. But we accept them because we understand that they are useful, and that smart, conscientious use is unlikely to cause harm. In the case of the internet, virtually all cyber threats can be avoided with smart cyber security practices. The key to achieving this, of course, is education. So without further ado, we invite you to review this quick rundown of cyber safety basics that every family should know about. Understand the Threats. The most common internet threat is a identity theft. By exploiting insecure e-commerce sites, utilizing phishing scams, and by finding personal information that has been carelessly exposed on social media, cyber thieves are able to steal your identity and use it to access your bank account, your credit card, etc. Other internet threats include viruses (which can ruin your machine) ransomware (which ´kidnaps´ your computer or your personal information) and online predators. Talk With Your Kids. Sheltering your children to the dangers of the internet will only leave them vulnerable. The best policy is to be open and clearly explain the dangers that the internet can pose. Encourage them to be honest with you about any problems or doubts that they have. And keep them updated as the landscape of cyber security changes. Use Security Software and an Internet Filter. Those these tools cannot protect against every threat, they do provide a helpful first line of defense against dangerous and/or inappropriate websites. Configure Wifi Carefully. WiFi protected access version 2 (WPA2) is the best configuration for protecting your security. If you are unsure about how to achieve this level of encryption, then this tutorial can help. Your ISP Choice Matters. Internet service providers also play an important role in protecting cyber security. In addition to laying the hardware-based groundwork for online safety, these companies oftentimes offer additional perks -- Xfinity, for example partners with a number of cyber software companies in order to offer their customers the most powerful options available. To learn more about choosing the best ISP available in your region, visit Bundle Your Internet online today.