1. Talk to your family on how to safely handle equipment like computers, mobile devices, laptops, etc.
Tips
a. Power on and off your device the right way according to the manufacturer’s manual specifications. Always power off or lock your device when not in use.
b. Safely plug and unplug accessories like chargers, USB drives, CDs/DVDs, cable, etc. A damaged equipment becomes an unused equipment, and an unused equipment is usually disposed along with your data, pictures and memories. Do not place your device on the bed or couch to charge. Ensure equipment is placed on a flat and safe surface. Apart from static electricity and heat that can damage the chips inside, accidental damage from sitting on them is equally significant.
c. Safeguard your equipment’s software with updated anti-virus protection.
2.Talk to your family on how to be a good digital citizen.
Tips
a. Stop and think before you download any software from the internet onto your device. Beware it could be or have a virus!
b. Stop and think before you open or click links in email, instant messaging, and text message. Watch out, it could be a social engineering attack called phishing. Hackers use phishing emails to steal Personal Identifiable Information (PII), e.g. name, address, date of birth, phone, email address, Social Security Number (SSN), bank account number, credit card number, biometric record, medical record, financial information, etc. Do not share PII online because the information you post online cannot be retracted.
c. Always use strong passwords and take advantage of two-factor authentication, if offered.
3. Let your family know that cybersecurity is a shared responsibility.
Tips
a. Everyone is responsible for the safety and the functionality of a shared device. A damaged equipment is not useful to anyone.
b. Make sure you back-up all your data periodically. If the device is damaged or lost, you can restore it from your backup.
c. If you are going to dispose of a device, make sure you erase all your information off the storage drive. If you don’t know how, seek help from appropriate professionals.