Cyber attacks are becoming more common, and anyone can be targeted. It may come as a surprise, but your personal information is highly valuable to attackers. As with many risks, prevention is the best approach, which is why we’re encouraging all Pacific communities to increase their cyber resilience so they’re less vulnerable to attacks.
So, step up your digital safety and security by taking these four steps – they’re known to improve cyber security and are pretty straightforward to implement. By following these four simple steps, you can help us to become a Cyber Smart Pacific.
Step 1. Use a password manager
Having strong and unique passwords for each online account is so important. The easiest way to keep track of them all is with a password manager. It’s like an online safe that stores and manages your passwords for you. You’ll only have to remember the one master password for your password manager, and it’ll do the rest.
Set up a password manager
Step 2. Turn on two-factor authentication
Turning on two-factor authentication (2FA) to your login process is an easy way of adding an extra layer of security to your accounts.
It’s a simple extra step after you log in, such as entering a code from an app. You can enable 2FA on most of your online accounts, and your devices. You’ll usually find the option to turn it on in the privacy settings.
Turn on two-factor authentication
Step 3. Update your devices
When you're alerted to a new software version for your device, don’t ignore it — install it as soon as possible. Updates not only add new features, they fix bugs and vulnerabilities attackers can use to issues to gain access to your information.
Set updates to happen automatically whenever a new version is available. Then you don’t have to think about it!
Update your devices and software
Step 4. Check your privacy
To maintain your privacy online, it’s important to know and control who can see your stuff. Attackers could use your information to access your data or steal your identity. Lock down your accounts – starting with social media.
Check that requests for personal information are legitimate before you give any details. If you’re not sure, don’t provide it.
Protect your privacy
Report It
If you, or a friend, family member or colleague experiences an online incident, report it to your local PaCSON Member. PaCSON is a Community of cyber security professionals from across the Pacific region who collaborate together to identify cyber security issues and support each other to find a resolution. By reporting, you are contributing to the lessons that can be shared with other Pacific countries and assist in raising awareness of cyber security.
Special thanks to CERT NZ for their assistance with producing this information.
Cyber Smart Pacific material is licensed for re-use under a Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial 4.0 International Licence. For more information visit: https://www.cert.govt.nz/about/copyright/