Cyber Security
October 2024 is Cyber Security Awareness Month
October is Cyber Security Awareness Month (Cyber Month) in Canada and we at the University are proud to be a Get Cyber Safe champion working to help Canadians stay safe online. Cyber Month is an important time to reflect, as individuals and as an organization, on how we can protect ourselves and our loved ones online.
What does it mean to be a Cyber Month champion? It means that the University of Winnipeg will be engaging with Get Cyber Safe’s online campaign and sharing expertise on cyber safety – we would love for you to get involved. As many of you know, cyber security is a shared responsibility. Here’s what you can do to help:
- Promote Cyber Month on your own personal social media channels
- Follow cyber security best practices at work and at home
- Talk about cyber security with friends and family – here are resources to help you (simply select the topics that mean most to you)
Thanks in advance for your help in keeping Canadians safe online. We wish you a very safe and happy Cyber Month!
The most secure generation: Cyber Month Week 1
October is Cyber Security Awareness Month in Canada and this year we’re ushering in a new generation: Generation Cyber Safe.
Online security affects all Canadians, regardless of what year they were born. That’s why this year’s theme, Generation Cyber Safe, celebrates the unique strengths each of us has when it comes to staying safe online. This generation is all about attitude: being committed to keeping yourself secure online and making the internet a safe place for everyone.
Being a part of Generation Cyber Safe means understanding the importance of securing your accounts – which is something that 95% of Baby Boomers are leading the way in! This week, we’re exploring the various ways to improve your account security. Here are some topics we’re covering during week one:
Strong passwords and passphrases
Passwords and passphrases are your first line of defence when it comes to protecting your accounts. This week, find out how to create strong and unique passwords and passphrases for your accounts and why it’s so important. To get started, make sure your passwords are at least 12 characters long and include random numbers and characters. Your passphrases should be at least 15 characters long and include four or more random words.
Password managers
Creating (and remembering) strong and unique passwords and passphrases for each of your accounts can feel overwhelming. Password managers can help! Learn how to choose the best password manager for you and how password managers can save you time and effort when it comes to account security.
Multi-factor authentication (MFA)
Multi-factor authentication (MFA) adds an extra layer of security to your accounts by requiring a second form of verification in addition to your password or passphrase . This can be a PIN, a biometric (like a fingerprint or facial recognition) or an object you own, like a token. Be sure to enable MFA whenever possible to improve your account security.
Credential Stuffing
Credential stuffing is an automated cyber attack that uses stolen credentials from one website to gain unauthorized access to other accounts sharing the same username, email and password combination. It’s one of the main reasons why you should use unique passwords and passphrases for each of your accounts. Using unique passwords, MFA and password managers can help prevent these attacks.
Limiting the information that you share online
Cyber criminals are experts at stealing information. One of the ways they do this is by looking at your social media accounts or searching information about you online, like discovering where you work and who you’re connected with online. Limiting the information that you share online can help to avoid your accounts from getting compromised.
Conclusion
Join Generation Cyber Safe by learning how to secure your accounts with MFA, password managers, strong passwords and passphrases and more!
The most resourceful generation: Cyber Month Week 2
Every generation needs the right tools to succeed, especially when it comes to staying safe online. Becoming part of Generation Cyber Safe means getting familiar with the tools and resources needed to protect yourself from cyber threats. This is a great time to talk to the Gen Zs in your life, as 88%Footnote 1 of this generation uses tools like multi-factor authentication (MFA) regularly! Here are some of the topics for this week.
Anti-virus protection
Anti-virus software is one of the best ways to protect your computer against viruses and malware . It works by scanning your devices to detect, identify and remove malicious files. Some anti-virus software can also warn you of malicious websites and monitor suspicious program behaviours. Discover how to choose the right anti-virus software for your needs.
Automatic updates
Keeping your operating system and software updated is one of the easiest ways to protect your devices and your information from cyber threats. Updates fix security issues and add new features that allow you to get more out of your device. Find out why enabling automatic updates for all software on your devices can make cyber safety even easier.
Virtual private network (VPN)
A virtual private network (VPN) is a secure connection between your device and the internet. A VPN provides you with additional security and privacy while you’re online by securing and encrypting your data. This can be helpful when you’re connecting to an unsecured network , like the free Wi-Fi at your favourite coffee shop. Discover how and why a VPN is a critical tool to help you get cyber safe.
Cyber security awareness training
Cyber security awareness and training is important at home, school and work. You can become a cyber champion by encouraging challenges or activities that get everyone involved – like seeing who can report the most scam emails in a month. This week, be sure to look into cyber security training resources like the Cyber Centre’s free online training course.
Malware and ransomware
Malware, or malicious software, is a common method that cyber criminals use to infect systems and devices. Ransomware is a form of malware that infects your computer or device and locks you out of accessing the system and files. Cyber criminals will trick you into downloading ransomware by disguising links or downloadable files to look legitimate. Find out about the methods and tools you can use to protect yourself.
Conclusion
The right tools and training can help you become part of Generation Cyber Safe! Learn more about anti-virus protection, automatic updates, VPNs and how to protect yourself from threats like malware and ransomware.
The most social generation: Cyber Month Week 3
Something all generations have in common is the desire to stay connected. When it comes to being online, however, there are a lot of threats like phishing that can make staying social difficult. Need help staying secure? Millennials can help – in fact, 82% of this generation is confident in knowing how to identify a phishing email or malicious link ! Here's a glimpse of what we're covering in week three to help you become part of Generation Cyber Safe.
Phishing
Phishing is a common tactic that cyber criminals use to steal personal and financial information. Phishing messages are unsolicited messages from cyber criminals who pretend to be someone they are not, like your bank. Cyber criminals have become increasingly sophisticated in their phishing campaigns, which is why it’s so important to learn the signs. This week, we’re discussing different ways you can spot phishing and how to be cautious online.
Social media
Social media platforms are a great way to stay in touch with family and connect with friends. But if you aren’t careful online, social media can also be an easy way for cyber criminals to learn more about you so they can steal your information. There are different ways to stay safe online, like spotting phishing, reviewing privacy settings and keeping your personal information private.
Social engineering
Social engineering is a form of phishing used by cyber criminals to steal sensitive information by manipulating victims. For example, a cyber criminal may contact you by email or over the phone using facts that you have made public (like posting where you work on social media) to make their request seem legitimate. This week, find out how to spot social engineering and how to protect your personal information from being exploited.
Identity theft and protecting your digital identity
Your digital identity is an online record of your personal information. It could include something as simple as your email address or social media account, or more sensitive information like your social insurance number (SIN), passwords and even your financial information. Explore ways to protect your digital identity like knowing how to spot phishing, keeping your information private, securing your accounts and more.
Artificial intelligence (AI) generated content
The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) generated content can make it more difficult to determine whether something you see online is real or fake. Even if you don’t believe what you see, disinformation can create doubt and cause confusion. There are tools that can help fact check disinformation like reverse image searching and tips on how to spot spoofing and other scams.
Conclusion
You can be part of Generation Cyber Safe by learning how to stay safe while connecting with others online! Learn more this week by getting familiar with the signs of phishing and social engineering, safe social media habits and learning how to spot AI-generated content.
The most proactive generation: Cyber Month Week 4
Staying a step ahead of cyber criminals is one of the best ways to embody the spirit of Generation Cyber Safe. Let’s look to Gen X for guidance on this one: they know it’s one of the easiest ways you can avoid online threats, especially in professional settings where the stakes are high. In fact, 59% of Gen X business owners say their company files are backed up regularly.
Let's dive into how you can follow in their footsteps and be proactive about online threats as part of Generation Cyber Safe.
Schedule and automate backups
In the event of a cyber attack like ransomware , backups are your first line of defence against losing data. Set up automatic backups on your personal and business devices to ensure that your data is always saved somewhere safe. Schedule these backups to run regularly to maintain updated copies of your critical information.
It’s equally important to test your back ups regularly to make sure they can be restored without issues. Make it a habit to verify that your backups are working correctly and that you can recover your data when needed.
Store data safely
Whether you use cloud storage , external hard drives or a hybrid approach, finding one or more ways to store data that works for you is an important part of protecting your information. Cloud storage offers easy accessibility, while physical storage provides a secure offline backup. Consider your needs and choose the best combination to keep your data protected.
Make your business more cyber safe
Informing yourself and your team about cyber security threats and best practices is essential. Regular training sessions can help everyone recognize and respond to cyber threats like phishing and ransomware. Make use of resources such as online courses, workshops and webinars to stay informed about the latest cyber security trends and techniques.
Having an incident response plan is important for any small or medium business. Make sure your incident response plan includes the processes and procedures to follow to detect, respond and recover from a cyber incident . Regularly update and test your response plan to make sure it works for you.
Remember that remote or hybrid work introduces additional cyber security challenges. Ensure employees use secure Wi-Fi connections, a virtual private network (VPN) and follow company your cyber security plan when working remotely. Provide them with the necessary tools and training to maintain a secure work environment regardless of their location.
Conclusion
Being proactive in your cyber security practices is all about awareness and being prepared to respond effectively. By securing your backups and maintaining good cyber security, you can protect yourself and your business as a member of Generation Cyber Safe!
The most helpful generation: Cyber Month Week 5
Being part of Generation Cyber Safe means knowing that cyber security is a shared responsibility. Did you know that 1 in 3 Canadians have family who rely on them for cyber security advice? That's why one of the most important aspects of being part of Generation Cyber Safe is passing on what you know to friends, family and colleagues. By helping others out with their online safety, you help create a safer digital space for everyone.
Let's explore the key topics that make this week all about helping others stay cyber safe.
Share what you know
One of the simplest yet most impactful ways to promote cyber security is by sharing your knowledge with those closest to you. Talk to your friends and family about common threats like phishing and ransomware. Show them how to set up strong passphrases, enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) and recognize suspicious emails. Your guidance can help them avoid cyber attacks.
Not sure what to say? Get Cyber Safe and the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security have many resources designed to help Canadians stay secure online. Promoting these resources can make a significant difference in your community's cyber security. Share links to our website, tools and guides and encourage others to follow along on social media channels for the latest updates and tips.
Don't forget to SCRUB
S.C.R.U.B. stands for secure, curate, review, update and block. It's an easy way to help you remember how to keep your devices and data secure by reminding you to:
- secure your accounts and devices with strong passphrases and MFA
- curate your content by managing the information you receive, share and are connected to online
- review your resources and stay in the know with the latest cyber security best practices
- update your software and systems frequently by enabling automatic updates where possible
- block cyber threats by deleting contacts you don't know and blocking spam and phishing messages
Share the S.C.R.U.B. method with others to help them maintain good cyber security habits.
Keep up with new technology
Technology and artificial intelligence (AI) are constantly evolving and so are the threats associated with them. Staying informed about the latest developments can help you be aware and maintain good cyber security practices. Share information on AI-generated content and emerging technologies with your friends and family to spread awareness and be prepared. By keeping up to date with current cyber security trends, you can help yourself and others prevent cyber security attacks.
Conclusion
Being part of Generation Cyber Safe is about more than just protecting yourself — it's about helping others stay safe, too. By promoting resources, sharing the S.C.R.U.B. method, staying informed about emerging tech and spreading your knowledge, you can help yourself and others stay cyber safe.