According to the Pew Research Center's Americans and Cybersecurity report, a majority of Americans—64%—have personally gone through some type of data theft. While figures like this prove the importance of cybersecurity, that same report also indicates that many Americans don't follow security best practices when it comes to their own digital lives. This illustrates another important fact about the subject: We know how important it is, we just rarely actually do anything about it.
October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, so use this as an excuse to make some really quick moves, like updating your passwords or privacy settings. Need some guidance on the topic? Here are some good ideas.
Websites
Have you done any learning on Chicago DigitalLearn? It's our website full of short, simple and interactive video lessons on digital topics. One of the most important aspects of using a computer is knowing the ins and outs of security. We have a whole section called Being Safe Online where you can take lessons in Accounts & Passwords, Internet Privacy and Online Scams in less than 15 minutes. You can learn about keeping your home computer secure in under 25 minutes.
For tips to reduce the risk of identity theft and stop unwanted phone calls and emails, check out Privacy, Identity & Online Security from the Federal Trade Commission.
Books
Once you have a good understanding of the basics, explore 200+ Ways to Protect your Privacy, which covers life online and offline. With chapters like "How to Enjoy Social Media While Retaining your Privacy" and "Strategies for Protecting Yourself and Your Private Data on Mobile Devices," you're sure to come away with a lot of helpful nuggets.
Are you curious about the world of cybersecurity from a wider perspective than your personal habits? What do cyberthieves do with the information they steal? And who goes after them after they steal anyway? Kate Fazzini is a cybersecurity professional turned journalist. In Kingdom of Lies, she tells the connected stories of cybercriminal enterprises around the world throughout the 2010s.
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