Most families have their own set of rules, like not watching TV during dinner, finishing homework before play time or setting a curfew. Just like having rules for keeping everyone at home safe, there are also rules for staying safe online.
Here are some simple cyber security steps and rules you can add to your existing family rules to help everyone in your home stay secure online.
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Use strong passwords and passphrases
- Passwords should be at least 12 characters long and include a mix of letters, numbers and symbols
- Passphrases should be 15 characters or more and include at least four random words
- Use a password manager to securely store your credentials and make sure your passwords are all unique
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Avoid sharing personal information online
- Keep your personal information like your address, phone number, or locations (like your school’s address) offline to avoid identity theft
- Avoid sharing any personal information and security credentials on social media
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Double check before you click
- Learn how to spot phishing messages by looking out for suspicious signs like typos
- If you receive a suspicious message, reflect before you click on links or download attachments
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Stay current with updates
- Keep all your devices and software up to date with the latest security patches
- Enable automatic updates on all devices and applications where possible
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Use preventative security tools
- Use anti-virus software and a firewall on your network and devices
- Use a virtual private network (VPN) on devices like a phone or laptop when connecting to public Wi-Fi
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Secure your home network
- Change your router’s username and password from the default settings to something unique.
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Back up your data
- Protect your family’s data, like important photos and videos, from threats like malware by performing regular backups on your devices
- Decide on what data storage options work best for your family, like using a hard drive or cloud storage
Following these cyber security family rules can help keep your loved ones safe online. Feel free to customize the rules to suit your family’s needs!
