The word cybersecurity has come to the fore in recent years. This is even more so as more leaks of sensitive information, fraudulent activities and cyber-attacks occur. The term cybersecurity refers to the protection of systems, networks and programs from digital attacks. Cybersecurity is primarily addressed by organisations, but the average user may also experience fake news, fraudulent emails, stolen social network profiles, misuse of sensitive data, password cracking or online banking hacking. Therefore, it is important to familiarize yourself with the most common types of attacks targeting ordinary users.

Cybersecurity basics for everyday users:

The UK’s National Cyber Security Centre provides practical tips for everyday users on how to navigate the online world safely. Let’s take a look at the basics:

✅ How to create secure passwords?

• Simple passwords can also be easily cracked. That’s why it’s important to create complex passwords that combine upper and lower case letters, numbers and special characters. Avoid using identical passwords for different online services. Breaking one password can put your other accounts at risk. To make your passwords easier to remember, you can use a piece of a sentence, a song, a saying that you combine with someone’s special character. It is also useful to use a password manager to store your passwords securely. Popular tools include LastPass, 1Password, KeePass Touch, where you only need to remember one password for that app.

✅ What is two-factor authentication (2FA) and how do I activate it?

• Many services offer or directly require so-called two-factor authentication. This means that in addition to your password, you also need to enter a code that will be sent to your mobile phone or email. We often see 2FA with email clients, online and mobile banking and social networks.

✅ Updates are worthwhile!

• Perhaps our computer occasionally reminds us that we should update the software we use and we tell ourselves that there is plenty of time. It’s a good idea not to ignore such prompts because we expose ourselves to malware. A good tip is to set up so-called automatic updates that can update our device, for example, at night.

👉 What other tips are good to know in order to prevent security risks and move safely in the digital world? Let’s find out!

✅ What is phishing and how to spot it?

• The word phishing refers to a fraudulent attack whereby the perpetrator tries to extort money from us or steal our identity by tricking us into revealing personal information. By various tricks, the perpetrators try to get access to, for example, our banking login details or our bank card number. Phishing attacks are often carried out via fraudulent emails, but also on social networks and chat applications. So watch out and learn how to spot phishing. Look out for grammatical errors, suspicious email domains and URLs, excessive urgency or requests to fill in personal details.

✅ Back up your data

• If you don’t want to lose important data such as documents, photos, videos, contacts, etc. it is important to back it up regularly. One option is to use an external hard drive. Today, cloud backup is very popular with trusted companies such as Google, Microsoft and Apple.

✅ How do I secure my social networks?

• Social networks are an immeasurable source of information about us and our behaviour. Therefore, share with discretion, avoid informing when you will be away from home or away for long periods of time. Also, adjust your privacy settings so that only people you trust see your posts. Check your privacy settings regularly. Also, don’t accept friend requests from strangers or click on links from suspicious accounts.

✅ What is a VPN and how do I use encryption?

• VPN stands for virtual private network. Connecting to a VPN is made possible by connecting to a remote server owned by the VPN provider. This encrypts our personal data and masks our IP address. It’s also a good idea to avoid using public Wifi networks and learn how to create a hotspot on your phone that you can use to connect to your own mobile internet while working on your computer.

Other useful resources can be found on the learning platforms we have introduced in the previous section. You can also take a look here:

✅ Google Security

• https://safety.google/
• Tips on how to navigate the online world safely, ensure the security of the technologies you use and prevent security threats

✅ National Cybersecurity Alliance

• https://www.staysafeonline.org/
• A rich information platform with articles and other resources that educate on Internet security.

✅ GDPR

• https://gdpr.eu/
• A complete guide to compliance with GDPR, the General Data Protection Regulation.

👉 Now you’re a little better equipped with useful knowledge to help you prevent security risks and feel safer online. This is an important prerequisite for developing further and using digital tools confidently. In the last part, you will have the opportunity to put all the knowledge you have gained into practice and create your personal digital development plan.