Cybersecurity Awareness and Actions

october is national cybersecurity awareness month (ncsam) and the main theme is “our shared responsibility.” while we should be thinking about online security all year round, now is a good time to kick things up a notch.

often, when we hear the term cybersecurity, we think about corporations and governments that are at risk of mass data breaches due to hacking. however, cybercrime can happen at the most basic level, and is a concern at home, in the office, and on-the-go.

whether you’re using your work laptop, your smart home devices, or your tablet, cybersecurity should always be a consideration.

let’s look at a few statistics to see why:

• cybercrime was the second most reported crime in 2016, and in 2017 cost $600 billion .
  
• in the first half of 2020 data breaches exposed over 30 billion records .
  
• more than 60 percent of online fraud is carried out through mobile platforms.
  

see also: phishing statistics

as you can see, the fight against cybercrime stretches beyond businesses and governments and the risks are all around you. becoming complacent and leaving cybersecurity up to the experts would be fuelling the flames of online crime and paving an easier path for criminals. in reality, we all need to work together and share the responsibility of cybersecurity in order to have the best chance of winning the fight.

in this post, we’ll describe some of the simple steps you can take to protect you and your family from the criminals lurking online. we have already published various in-depth guides related to this topic, so you can follow the links to find our more, where appropriate.

you don’t have to be an expert to be a part of the crusade against cybercrime. but it does help to know what’s going on in the world of cybersecurity . you never know; once you get a taste for cybersecurity, you may even want to make a career out of it.

this post and our related guides will serve as a solid basis for your knowledge and understanding of cybersecurity. but remember that the landscape is always changing , so it’s a good idea to subscribe to a blog such as ours or similar, so you can stay abreast of the latest happenings.

Cyber defense begins with everyday vigilance

Install trusted antivirus tools as your first firewall

Free options like Bitdefender or Kaspersky Security Cloud

offer malware detection across multiple devices

Digital predators employ psychological manipulation tactics

Romance lures morph into financial traps

Phishing expeditions cast wide nets through

emails, texts (smishing), and voice calls (vishing)

Two-factor authentication strengthens login barriers

Regular software updates patch security vulnerabilities

Password managers prevent credential recycling risks

Financial scams wear endless disguises:

• Tax intimidation ploys exploiting government fears
  
  
• Cryptocurrency cons through fake mining operations
  
  
• Travel reservation frauds ruining dream vacations
  
  

Technical assaults require different countermeasures:

Ransomware encrypts files for extortion

Botnet armies overwhelm networks (DDoS)

Brute force algorithms guess weak passwords

Critical awareness practices:

Verify unusual payment requests through alternate channels

Inspect email headers for spoofed addresses

Avoid public Wi-Fi for sensitive transactions

Cybersecurity evolves through constant education

Participate in workshops during NCSAM initiatives

Report suspicious activities to protect the digital community

if you’re willing to pay a few bucks a month for a premium antivirus software, panda security and total antivirus (total av) are some solid choices.

this seems like such an obvious one, but it’s alarming how many people still don’t use strong passwords. in fact, almost one-third of network intrusions are the result of compromised user credentials (usernames and passwords). yes, it can be difficult to remember a different password for each of the dozens of accounts you have. but the risks involved outweigh the convenience factor.

here are a few tips for creating a strong password :

• use a different password for every account.
  
• use a mix of upper and lower case letters, numbers, and symbols.
  
• make the password as long as possible — at least eight characters.
  

if you’re having trouble, you can use our password generator tool to help.

and if trying to remember all of those passwords is too much, you might want to consider using a password manager , such as lastpass or dashlane . one perk of these is that they can help you protect against phishing sites. they won’t recognize the site and won’t autofill your information, which should raise a red flag as to the site’s validity.

while you’re at home, chances are you’ll feel safe and secure using your own network. but most people are increasingly using internet while on-the-go. and that often means connecting to a public wifi hotspot.

these might seem secure, especially if you’re at a mall, hotel, or reputable coffee shop, but the reality is these are prime spots for hackers to lie in wait .

when connecting to any public wifi network, you should always take precautions , including ensuring you connect to a secure network, avoiding sending sensitive information such as bank login details, and using a vpn connection (more on that below).

you may not have believed it a couple of decades ago, but the phenomenon that is social media is now an inevitable and integral part of our everyday lives. while there are countless benefits to using media, there are also a number of inherent risks. sites like facebook , snapchat , and instagram each have their own potential privacy and security issues .

the ability to post every detail about your life online for the world to see can be a dream for some. but every piece of information posted is ripe for the picking by cybercriminals. in fact, they don’t even need to do any hacking or otherwise to get the information.

Social Media Safety Tips

any gathered information can be used in wide range of scams and attacks (including physical ones). clearly, you want to keep you and your family safe from such situations, so it’s important to follow best practices when using social media.

be sure to adjust your privacy settings for each platform and check back regularly in case the options have changed. always think twice about posting any kind of personal information such as your phone number, address, and current location. remember that even photos can give away too much information about you and your family, for example, where you work or where your kids go to school.

on that note, it’s not just you who needs to have their wits about them while online. your kids need to be educated about cybersecurity and know how to protect their privacy too. a 2017 australian study found that kids as young as eight years old have shared things like their last name, address, and phone number on social media.

here are some tips for navigating social media with your child:

• set up your own account on each platform and “follow” and “friend” your child where possible.
  
• get them to avoid using social logins for other platforms as they may be mining data from their social media accounts.
  
• help your child adjust their privacy settings for each account, remove as much identifying information as possible, and even use fake information if needed.
  
• consider using built-in parental controls or purchasing parental control software, especially if you have younger kids.
  

how you help your child will depend on their age, maturity, and experience level with social media, but it’s good to keep this an open discussion topic in the home.

if you want to be extra vigilant about keeping the digital information in your home safe, you may want to consider encryption. when data is encrypted, even if it falls into the wrong hands, it will be unreadable.

encryption can happen at various levels and there are plenty of methods and tools out there to help you. you can encrypt your files and folders using tools such as hider 2 for macos or bitlocker and efs for windows . you may choose to encrypt your email too, by adjusting the settings within your account.

one more encryption method which we recommend everyone use is a vpn. we’ll explain this in the next section.

a vpn, or virtual private network , will encrypt all of the internet traffic flowing to and from your device. this means that even if someone does manage to intercept it, it will be unreadable. this stops hackers from snooping, but it also prevents your isp, network administrator, or a government agency from tracking what you’re doing online.

when you connect to a vpn, your traffic flows through an intermediary server before reaching its destination. as a result, it appears that it’s coming from a different ip address, and your real ip address is masked. most vpn providers operate servers all over the world and you can choose the location of the one you want to connect to.

because of the location spoofing effect, a vpn also enables you to bypass geo-restriction measures put in place by many different types of platforms. this means you can gain access to sites that might otherwise be blocked due to your location. this includes popular streaming platforms like netflix and hulu , sports streaming sites , and gambling websites .

Multi-Device Security Solutions

most services will allow you to connect multiple devices — anywhere from three to ten, depending on the provider — under one plan. you can even configure a vpn to your home router so that every connected device is automatically protected.

cybercrime is a reality for everyone, not just governments and businesses. by doing your part, you can not only protect yourself and your family, but also help in improving security for the general population. simply follow the advice in this post, and you’ll be well on your way to becoming a true crusader in the fight against cybercrime.

What is a Netflix VPN and How to Get One

A Netflix VPN is a specialized virtual private network designed to help users bypass geographical restrictions and access a wider range of content on the streaming platform. By connecting to servers in various countries, it enables viewers to watch shows and movies that might not be available in their own region, enhancing their overall viewing experience.

Why Choose SafeShell as Your Netflix VPN?

If people want to access region-restricted content by Netflix VPN, they may want to consider the SafeShell VPN . 1. SafeShell VPN provides high-speed servers specifically optimized for seamless Netflix streaming, ensuring uninterrupted and high-definition playback. 2. It allows you to connect up to five devices simultaneously, supporting a wide array of operating systems like Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and more, making it versatile for all your devices. 3. The exclusive App Mode feature lets you unlock and enjoy content from multiple regions at the same time, giving you the freedom to explore a diverse range of streaming services without restrictions. 4. With lightning-fast connection speeds and no bandwidth limitations, SafeShell VPN ensures that you can stream, download, and browse at unparalleled speeds, eliminating any buffering or throttling issues. 5. Your online privacy is protected with top-level security features, including advanced encryption and the proprietary "ShellGuard" protocol, ensuring your data remains safe. 6. Additionally, SafeShell VPN offers a flexible free trial plan, allowing users to experience its robust features without any commitment, making it an ideal choice if your current Netflix vpn not working .

A Step-by-Step Guide to Watch Netflix with SafeShell VPN

To utilize SafeShell Netflix VPN , begin by creating an account through the official SafeShell website. Select a subscription plan tailored to your streaming needs and complete the registration. Once signed up, download the app for your preferred device (such as a smartphone, tablet, or computer) and install it following the on-screen instructions. After launching the app, log in using your credentials and navigate to the mode selection menu. For seamless Netflix streaming, opt for the dedicated APP mode, which optimizes server connections for video platforms.

Next, access the server list within the app and pick a location matching your desired Netflix library—like Japan for anime or the UK for British dramas. Initiate the VPN connection, then open Netflix via your browser or app. If the VPN is active, you’ll automatically see content from the selected region. Ensure your SafeShell Netflix VPN remains connected during streaming to avoid geo-restrictions. For optimal performance, test different servers if buffering occurs or if certain titles remain unavailable.