© Mark Ollig
Along with October’s cooler temperatures, we continue to enjoy the beautiful brown, yellow, orange, and red fall foliage.
The good folks at the US Department of Homeland Security use the month of October to call our attention to National Cybersecurity Awareness Month (NCSAM).
It is the 15th anniversary of NCSAM.
The Department of Homeland Security began NCSAM in 2004 to remind us of keeping our online digital devices and information safe and secure from cybercriminals.
“Internet users at home are not as safe online as they believe,” advised an Associated Press newspaper article published Oct. 25, 2004.
The article talked about some 600 pieces of spyware found inside a home computer monitoring a family’s online activities. The story described how computer users could protect their privacy.
NCSAM is a collaborative effort between the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA), along with other organizations, both public and private.
Cisco Systems, Inc. defines cybersecurity as “the practice of protecting systems, networks, and programs from digital attacks.”
For me, cybersecurity is the protection of computing devices, websites, and networks from those attempting unauthorized entry to disrupt services or steal data.
Cyberattacks can happen over the networks of government agencies, utility companies, Fortune 500 corporations, small businesses, or the internet-connected devices of people in our local community.
Our internet-connected digital devices; computers, smartphones, tablets, and digital assistants such as Google Home, Amazon Alexa, Apple’s Siri, and Microsoft’s Invoke, are susceptible to cyber-attacks.
Also vulnerable to cyberattacks are internet-connected smart TVs, digital wearables, home appliances, home-internet connected security camera systems, and automobiles with an internet connection.
Also open to cyberattacks are digital IoT (Internet of Things) information devices like smart electronic sensors, and the assortment of digital gadgets monitoring, reporting, and sharing information over the internet from homes, businesses, utilities, and governmental municipalities.
A cyberattack of an internet-connected device using targeted hacking can result in the device’s service disruption, manipulation, and control of its operation and theft of information the device contains.
The number of IoT devices connected to the internet continues to grow, and as far as I can determine, there is no end in sight.
By 2020, there will be 30 billion IoT devices networked over the internet, according to a recent report by Statista.
By 2025, I believe 5G wireless connectivity will be built-in within many digital gadgets; IoT devices are projected to reach 75 billion.
Beyond 2025, the sky’s the limit on what the number of IoT devices there will be.
This year’s NCSAM is Information Technology-themed: “Own IT. Secure IT. Protect IT.”
The National Initiative for Cybersecurity Careers and Studies (NICCS) is a US government website providing many consumer and business resources to defend against cyberattacks.
Cybersecurity includes using a long password or password phrase and limiting your personal information posted to social media sites.
An example of a phishing attack is when cybercriminals lure you to “clickbait” links with messages such as “We suspect an unauthorized transaction on your account. To ensure that your account is not compromised, please click the link below and confirm your identity.”
Also, beware of fraudulent internet schemes, including identity theft, imposter deception scams, and debt collection swindlers.
Software apps on our smartphone can control many of the digital devices and home assistants we use. Be suspicious of unfamiliar apps running in the background or using permissions you don’t recall approving.
Other suggestions to defend against cyberattacks and theft of personal information include:
• Disconnect internet access for a computing device not in use.
• Limit conversation near voice monitors, audio recordable toys, and digital assistants.
• Cover toys, laptops, and monitoring devices’ cameras when not in use.
• Disable wireless connections for digital devices not in use.
Our home and business wireless routers are the primary entrance for cybercriminals to access our digital devices. Keep the Wi-Fi network secured by changing the router’s factory-set passwords and usernames.
A wealth of information is available for protecting your smartdevices and personal data at the National Cybersecurity Awareness Month 2019 website. I created a shortened link to it: https://bit.ly/2m4zsTb.
The Department of Homeland Security has a cybersecurity toolkit filled with suggestions and help for students, parents, educators, industry, small business, law enforcement, older Americans, and young professionals at www.dhs.gov/stopthinkconnect-toolkit.
Use the Twitter hashtag #BeCyberSmart to share your comments and see what others are posting about cybersecurity.
Our awareness and preventive action against cyberattacks is something we should be mindful of not only during October, but year-round.
Along with October’s cooler temperatures, we continue to enjoy the beautiful brown, yellow, orange, and red fall foliage.
The good folks at the US Department of Homeland Security use the month of October to call our attention to National Cybersecurity Awareness Month (NCSAM).
It is the 15th anniversary of NCSAM.
The Department of Homeland Security began NCSAM in 2004 to remind us of keeping our online digital devices and information safe and secure from cybercriminals.
“Internet users at home are not as safe online as they believe,” advised an Associated Press newspaper article published Oct. 25, 2004.
The article talked about some 600 pieces of spyware found inside a home computer monitoring a family’s online activities. The story described how computer users could protect their privacy.
NCSAM is a collaborative effort between the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA), along with other organizations, both public and private.
Cisco Systems, Inc. defines cybersecurity as “the practice of protecting systems, networks, and programs from digital attacks.”
For me, cybersecurity is the protection of computing devices, websites, and networks from those attempting unauthorized entry to disrupt services or steal data.
Cyberattacks can happen over the networks of government agencies, utility companies, Fortune 500 corporations, small businesses, or the internet-connected devices of people in our local community.
Our internet-connected digital devices; computers, smartphones, tablets, and digital assistants such as Google Home, Amazon Alexa, Apple’s Siri, and Microsoft’s Invoke, are susceptible to cyber-attacks.
Also vulnerable to cyberattacks are internet-connected smart TVs, digital wearables, home appliances, home-internet connected security camera systems, and automobiles with an internet connection.
Also open to cyberattacks are digital IoT (Internet of Things) information devices like smart electronic sensors, and the assortment of digital gadgets monitoring, reporting, and sharing information over the internet from homes, businesses, utilities, and governmental municipalities.
A cyberattack of an internet-connected device using targeted hacking can result in the device’s service disruption, manipulation, and control of its operation and theft of information the device contains.
The number of IoT devices connected to the internet continues to grow, and as far as I can determine, there is no end in sight.
By 2020, there will be 30 billion IoT devices networked over the internet, according to a recent report by Statista.
By 2025, I believe 5G wireless connectivity will be built-in within many digital gadgets; IoT devices are projected to reach 75 billion.
Beyond 2025, the sky’s the limit on what the number of IoT devices there will be.
This year’s NCSAM is Information Technology-themed: “Own IT. Secure IT. Protect IT.”
The National Initiative for Cybersecurity Careers and Studies (NICCS) is a US government website providing many consumer and business resources to defend against cyberattacks.
Cybersecurity includes using a long password or password phrase and limiting your personal information posted to social media sites.
An example of a phishing attack is when cybercriminals lure you to “clickbait” links with messages such as “We suspect an unauthorized transaction on your account. To ensure that your account is not compromised, please click the link below and confirm your identity.”
Also, beware of fraudulent internet schemes, including identity theft, imposter deception scams, and debt collection swindlers.
Software apps on our smartphone can control many of the digital devices and home assistants we use. Be suspicious of unfamiliar apps running in the background or using permissions you don’t recall approving.
Other suggestions to defend against cyberattacks and theft of personal information include:
• Disconnect internet access for a computing device not in use.
• Limit conversation near voice monitors, audio recordable toys, and digital assistants.
• Cover toys, laptops, and monitoring devices’ cameras when not in use.
• Disable wireless connections for digital devices not in use.
Our home and business wireless routers are the primary entrance for cybercriminals to access our digital devices. Keep the Wi-Fi network secured by changing the router’s factory-set passwords and usernames.
A wealth of information is available for protecting your smartdevices and personal data at the National Cybersecurity Awareness Month 2019 website. I created a shortened link to it: https://bit.ly/2m4zsTb.
The Department of Homeland Security has a cybersecurity toolkit filled with suggestions and help for students, parents, educators, industry, small business, law enforcement, older Americans, and young professionals at www.dhs.gov/stopthinkconnect-toolkit.
Use the Twitter hashtag #BeCyberSmart to share your comments and see what others are posting about cybersecurity.
Our awareness and preventive action against cyberattacks is something we should be mindful of not only during October, but year-round.
