Cyber Security Awareness Month
Week 3: Computer Week

You and your computer: a friendship that clicks

Sure, smartphones are great. But can they really compete with the almost 30 years of memories we have with our computers? Chances are, a computer has been with you for a lot Of your firsts: your first email, your first social media account, and maybe even your first job!

Show your computer how much all those memories matter by giving it the care it deserves.

Our phones may be with us all day, but our desktops and laptops are the devices closest to our hearts.

85% of Canadians own a computer ^{Note i}
51% of Canadians use computers to connect to the internet more than any other device ^{Note ii}

They’re there for the fun things.

57% of Canadians have played a video game on a computer in the past 4 weeks ^{Note iii}
73% of online purchases in Canada are made on a computer ^{Note i}
69% of Canadian internet users use online video streaming services

And the slightly-less-fun things.

20% of Canadians conduct online banking on a computer ^{Note i}
54% of Canadians use computers to work from home due to covid-19 ^{Note i}

But as great as computers are, they don’t come risk-free.

58% of Canadians are concerned about malware ^{Note iv}
2 in 5 Canadians have been a victim of a virus, spyware, or malware on their computers ^{Note iv}

That’s why we need to protect them.

Take simple steps to show your computer you care:

• Set operating system updates to automatic
• Install antivirus software
• Set your antivirus software to run scans on a schedule
• Avoid sharing personal information online
• Don’t access sensitive data while connected to public Wi-Fi
• Only download files from sources you trust

GET MORE TIPS ON HOW TO APPRECIATE YOUR DEVICES AT GETCYBERSAFE.CA

Footnotes

1. i

   Digital 2020 : Canada, Kepios, We Are Social, Hootsuite Inc., 2020

2. ii

   Canada’s Internet Factbook 2020, Canadian Internet Registration Authority, 2020

3. iii

   Essential Facts About the Canadian Video Game Industry, Entertainment Software Association of Canada, 2018

4. iv

   Get Cyber Safe Awareness Tracking Survey, EKOS Research Associates Inc., 2020