Safer Internet Day 2023 (Safer Internet Day – SID) is a new edition of the international event that takes place every year on the second Tuesday in February with the aim of promote safe and positive use of digital technologiesespecially among children and youth. In Spain, it is promoted by the network of the National Institute for Cyber ​​Security (INSAFE/INHOPE), with face-to-face and online activities, interactive workshops and finally as a way to raise awareness of the need to improve our computer security.

SID targets children and young people, parents and carers, teachers, educators and social workers, as well as businesses and policy makers, and encourages them to take an active role in creating a better internet.

And there are threats every day older and more dangerous. The deployment of malware on all kinds of platforms that we’ve seen in the last five years has taken off. Viruses, trojans, worms and all kinds of increasingly better programmed specimens are finding holes to sneak in and enable Ransomware and Phishing attacks being the most used. There is no shortage of data breaches and leaks, as well as abundant campaigns of falsehoods and misinformation that ultimately impact security as another online risk.

Ten protection tips for Safer Internet Day 2023

Internet users can participate in this event, and the best way is to adopt a culture of cyber security, ensure as much equipment and networks as possible for safe browsing. Outlined threats they require proactive behavior and a lot of common sense from the userthey understand that virtual life must be protected today as much as physical life, and that domestic tasks have become dangerously mixed with professional ones.

We understand that guaranteeing 100% security and privacy is not possible on the global network, there are a number of measures we can take to improve it. We’ll leave you with the main ones once more.

1. Common sense. Prudence is the preferred barrier against malware, so we must be especially careful in the section about downloading and installing applications from dangerous sites; when browsing certain websites; when opening unsolicited emails or attachments; in those originating from social networks or messaging applications, or in the use of operating systems and applications that have not been updated, which contain vulnerabilities that cybercriminals can exploit for malware campaigns.
2. Beware of misinformation. The internet has prioritized the arrival of a number of characters that we must prevent. disinformation, half-truths, outright fake news or those with a clear intention to manipulate are our daily bread. They are getting more dangerous and coming in more numbers. Let’s be responsible. Let’s look at different sources. Let’s not help spread all this garbage that is used to distribute malware and worse.
3. Protect web browsers. All web browsers contain advanced security features that we need to check and configure for activation because they are the applications we use to access the Internet and its services. In addition to checking end-to-end encryption when synchronizing or sandboxing, we need to pay attention to warnings about insecure pages displayed by browsers. Also check your installed extensions, as some are a common source of malware installation, and consider using “Private Mode” (or Incognito Mode) to improve privacy.
4. Take care of passwords. Never ending story… Yes, their usability is terrible, but until we have mass adoption of advanced biometric identification techniques, we will have to use them safely. You know, it has to be random, long and complex and different for every website, especially for online banking and e-commerce. Appreciate using password managers capable of doing the work for us, reducing human error in using them, and automating the generation and management process.
5. Updating systems and applications. All operating systems have tools to keep your device up to date. And their use is mandatory because they contain security updates against known threats. Just as important – or more – than the above is updating your installed apps to the latest versions, as these usually contain security patches. When the versions are older, they are more vulnerable to attack by cybercriminals who find vulnerabilities in the program.
6. Appreciate the use of security solutions. There are several providers that offer both commercial and free security solutions that should be evaluated for use. The same with the native anti-malware applications that some operating systems include, such as Microsoft Defender. No matter how careful we are, it’s hard to be safe from all the malware that finds its way onto the Internet. At the professional level, the use of a comprehensive commercial security suite is mandatory, which includes tools such as a firewall and specialized tools against Ransomware, Phishing, adware or spyware attacks.
7. Use two-factor authentication. 2FA, which is supposed to reinforce the use of passwords, is an access control method that you will know as “two-factor authentication”, “two-factor authentication” or “two-step verification”, which has become one of the most effective security mechanisms. in the technology industry when it comes to user authentication and identity protection. This feature is already available on most major internet services and should be used whenever possible using a verification code sent via a mobile app or SMS.
8. Appreciate the use of encryption. BitLocker Drive Encryption is an operating system data protection feature available in Professional and Enterprise editions of Windows 10 and 11, among others. BitLocker allows you to encrypt or “encrypt” data on your computer to protect it from threats such as theft or exposure data in case of lost, stolen or improperly removed device and ultimately improve online security.
9. Beware of free wireless networks. Free access points have spread to many areas in cities, restaurants, airports, train or subway stations, hotels and all kinds of businesses. Security researchers have demonstrated the inherent insecurity of public wireless networks. They are generally easy to hack, so we should only use them for occasional browsing.
10. Use a hardware security key for vital accounts. For vital accounts, especially in professional and business environments, it is worth protecting them with a hardware security mechanism. It is generally a device in the form of a pendrive that is connected to a USB port and contains a highly secure encryption module. The entire process is done in hardware, which significantly increases overall security compared to software solutions.

Institutional Law Safe Internet Day 2023