We are kicking off CAM by taking stock of our current cybersecurity knowledge and practices. How do you think you’ll fare? Take the Cyber Safe Checkup created by the Government of Canada to see if you need to change the way you think about cybersecurity. This self-reflection quiz is a great start to help you learn more about cybersecurity issues you may have never even considered before. We think you’ll be surprised by what you learn!
Today, most people have many digital accounts—from financial accounts, to social media accounts, to health accounts, and more—and many hold a lot of personal data. Digital accounts are the most important digital assets when it comes to cybersecurity. The breach of a digital account may lead to cybersecurity risks that have a direct impact on privacy and safety.
With several digital accounts to manage, it is often tempting to use the same password for all accounts. The problem with this is that if any of these accounts is compromised, the same password can be used to access other associated digital accounts. Millions of people have been victims of data or privacy breaches—but just don't know it.
You can check if any of your accounts has been compromised in a data or privacy breach by visiting the website Have I been pwned. The best way to secure your accounts is to have a unique, long, and complex password, also known as a passphrase, for each account. A passphrase is a sequence of words or other text that is generally easier to remember but harder to crack!
Do you use simple passwords? Have you ever wondered how long it would take for hackers or other malicious people to determine your passwords? Try out some simple passwords (not your current passwords!) on this password strength meter, then try out some passphrases to see the difference.
The cellphone/smartphone is the most common device used for connecting to the Internet today. Phones are used as cameras, maps, credit cards, watches, and more—thereby sharing personal, financial, and location-based data. It is critical to secure your phone.
Screen patterns, biometric authentication, and enabling rapid auto-lock on your phone can go a long way in deterring cyber criminals from accessing the information on your phone if you lose it. Remember to use longer and complex passwords, also known passphrases, for any digital account information stored on your phone. Learn how to create a good passphrase here.
Computing devices are universally used for work, learning, and day-to-day interactions. The need to secure the information on these computing devices should be taken seriously. You can lock down your login by using a passphrase, but even the strongest passphrase cannot be 100-per-cent foolproof.
Multi-factor authentication (MFA) adds an extra layer of security for your accounts and keeps the information on your devices secure. Most services and organizations offer the option to use MFA in their security settings and most phones support the implementation of MFA. Athabasca University is moving toward requiring MFA authentication on all devices. Learn more about MFA here.
Because we carry technology everywhere today, the distinction between our online and offline lives is increasingly becoming blurred. This persistent connectivity creates both opportunities and threats for individuals and organizations. One of the ways this connectivity is constant is the use of Wi-Fi networks. Almost everyone connects to a Wi-Fi network every day.
With this heavy reliance on Wi-Fi networks, it is critical to ensure that the networks are protected. If the Wi-Fi network is attacked or otherwise negatively compromised, it could not only affect your ability to get your work done, but also your privacy and safety. Learn more on how to protect your Wi-Fi network and how to use Wi-Fi safely.