Cyber Safety

Nowadays, in the digital era, one should understand how to be safe on the internet. As we are using the internet as a tool of learning, entertainment, and communication, we should also be aware of the dangers that can happen. Cyber safety is everything about securing your personal data and taking smart decisions when using electronic equipment.

What is Cyber Safety?

Cyber safety refers to taking caution in what you are doing on the internet. It involves securing your computer, your personal data, and even yourself against such things as hackers, internet fraud, and malicious material.

Importance of Cybersecurity

The internet is used for many significant activities:

• Communicating with friends
• Completing homework
• Shopping
• Banking

Cybersecurity helps protect all these activities over the internet.

Without proper cybersecurity, you are exposed to:

• Information theft.
• Viruses or malware infections on your devices.

Types of Online Threats

• Malware: Unhealthy software, such as viruses or worms, which can damage your computer or steal your data.
• Phishing: Fraudulent emails or websites that attempt to deceive you into providing personal information.
• Ransomware: This is the software that encrypts your files, and it wants money to decrypt the files.
• Social Engineering: Fraudsters who swindle you into disclosing confidential data by masquerading as people you trust.

How to Protect Your Information

• Powerful Passwords: Use a combination of letters, numbers and symbols and come up with difficult passwords that are not easy to guess.
• Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): This is an additional security measure which will prompt you to confirm your identity by means of something you possess (such as your phone) together with your password.
• Digital Footprint: Be cautious about what you post online. Anything that you do online has a trail, so make sure that you keep your personal information to yourself.

Safe Online Behaviour

• Think Before You Click: Do not open emails or use links from strangers.
• Keep Your Privacy: Do not post personal information about yourself, such as address, phone number or school name, on the internet.
• Beware of Frauds: Beware of websites that offer too-good-to-be-true deals. Never make any purchases without checking.

Cyberbullying and Harassment

Cyberbullying occurs when one uses the internet to victimise or hurt other people. It may be via mean messages, rumours or making one feel excluded on the internet.

What to Do? In case of cyberbullying, communicate with an adult and inform him or her about it. Always speak against cyberbullying.

Security Tools You Can Use

• Antivirus Software: This will protect your computer against viruses and malware applications by installing antivirus software and updating it.
• Firewalls: A firewall assists in preventing unwanted information from entering your computer.
• Seed: Set aside a time to regularly update your software and operating systems to address security bugs and enhance protection.

QUIZ FOR CYBER SAFETY

1. What is principally meant by cyber safety?

A) Just browsing the internet as a means of amusement.
B) Keeping personal information and equipment safe on the internet.
C) Increasing internet speed
D) Installing new software regularly.

Answer: B) Keeping personal information and equipment safe on the internet.

2. What kind of malicious software locks your files and asks for money to unlock them?

A) Malware
B) Phishing
C) Ransomware
D) Spyware

Answer: C) Ransomware

3. By use of a fake site, a student is sent an email where they are requested to provide details of their bank accounts and passwords. What is the nature of this cyber threat?

A) Malware
B) Phishing
C) Firewall attack
D) Cloud hacking

Answer: B) Phishing

4. Which security option needs a password with added verification, such as mobile code?

A) Firewall
B) Antivirus
C) Two-Factor Authentication
D) Encryption

Answer: C) Two-Factor Authentication.

5. What is the type of software that would assist in identifying and eliminating viruses and malware on a computer?

A) Firewall
B) Antivirus
C) Browser
D) Cloud Storage

Answer: B) Antivirus

6. Social media often includes personal information posted by a user, such as their address and the name of their school. What is the concept of cyber safety that warns against this behaviour?

A) Network security
B) Digital footprint
C) Data compression
D) Encryption

Answer: B) Digital footprint

7. What security system watches and restricts illegal access to a computer or a network?

A) Firewall
B) Antivirus
C) Web browser
D) Search engine

Answer: A) Firewall

8. An unknown party sends a student a message about a free expensive device, but with a condition that they have to press a link right now. What is the safest action?

A) Click the link quickly
B) Forward the information to friends.
C) Deletes the message.
D) Response with personal information.

Answer: C) Deletes the message.

9. When an individual utilises the internet to send messages or rumours that are harmful and hurt someone, it is referred to as the following:

A) Phishing
B) Cyberbullying
C) Data theft
D) Malware

Answer: B) Cyberbullying

10. Why should we keep on updating software and operating systems regularly?

A) To modify the computer design.
B) To make the screen brighter.
C) To correct security vulnerabilities and enhance security.
D) To delete files automatically.

Answer: C) To correct security vulnerabilities and enhance security.