Improve Your Family’s Cyber Security

As parents are working from home and children are distance learning, it is important to strengthen your family’s cyber security. Here are some tips to protect your home network and provide more safety while using the internet:

Protect Your Home Wireless Network
Change the name of your router to a name that is unique to you and won’t be easily guessed by others.
Change the default password to a sentence or phrase that is easy to remember.
Set up a guest network if your router allows.
Use a firewall to block hackers from accessing your system and sending out personal information.

Protect Your Computer
Use an antivirus software to scan your computer for viruses, malware, and spyware.
Keep your antivirus software, operating system, and other applications updated.

Protect Your Cellphone, Gaming Systems, and Other Devices
Take similar precautions to protect other web-enabled devices from viruses and malware.
Use strong passwords and encryption.

Protect Your Children
Teach your children about online safety and keep an open dialogue about their online usage.
Talk to your children about how to be selective with the information they share to apps, websites, or other online users.
Consider using parental controls and restricted modes when applicable on certain websites, apps, or devices.

Protect Your Wallet
Be aware of online scams and common schemes.
If a situation seems too good to be true, it probably is.
Do online searches and talk to someone you trust before sending money or sharing personal information.
Look to see if the web address is secured.

Find more information about cyber security at the following websites: 
National Cyber Security Alliance
National Children’s Advocacy Center
OnGuardOnline