What’s your worst cyber nightmare? What is your plan to prevent this and should something happen, mitigate it?

Have you heard of something called cyber hygiene? Surely, brushing your teeth and taking showers isn’t something traditionally associated with technology. The term “cyber-hygiene” is a useful metaphor for needing to make smart decisions about your smart devices.

Good hygiene is something you’re taught as a child and something that generally sticks with you for the rest of your life. It involves three basic principles which include:

1. Using products and tools that fit your hygiene needs.
2. Performing these hygienic tasks correctly.
3. Establishing a routine.

But what is Cyber hygiene and what does it have to do with your laptop, desktop, and other connected devices?

Just like the way you maintain your body hygiene; Cyber hygiene is about training yourself to think proactively about your cybersecurity practices just like the way you do with your daily personal hygiene. This is purposed to encounter and resist cyber threats and online security issues.

Unfortunately, cybersecurity still isn’t taken as seriously as cavities and root canals. The vast people take cybersecurity for granted and as hearsay, in the new normal. A lot is showing a glimpse of revolution and the attitude of not minding about cybersecurity is yet to change. This is due to the great numbers of cyber threats that evolve every single digital minute.

Assurance of information security is no guarantee, there needs to be an establishment of solid cyber hygiene practices which should be as routine as brushing your teeth.

What worries?

As e-learning (Virtual learning) becomes the new normal, the Internet plays an integral part in a child’s life at home, in schools, libraries, and wherever they spend their free time. Though computers and mobile devices that connect to the Internet can be beneficial for learning, enhance social relations, and keep young users connected to their loved ones, they can also be a source of danger and concern for parents. Children are now discovering computers, smartphones, or tablets at an early age; as they develop and discover new experiences, it is important to protect them from everyday dangers of inappropriate contact, conduct, and content that they may encounter while online.

Cyber-crime in the digitally connected world is never predicted, it comes like rape; so many are victimized and cannot help themselves out, some are not even aware that they have been victims for long or that their data is flooded on public domains or black-markets on the Darkweb. The intensity of the matter is many victims never report to the Police due to the intrusive nature or fear for reputational impacts.

According to researchers globally, the average cost of cyber-crime is $13M and this will continue rising and rising due to the increased technological advancements. The best strategy is to empower your children, employees, and whoever possesses a digital assistant to access the internet and share information therein to be secure by practicing cyber hygiene. With Internet penetration in Uganda at 50% coupled with the COVID-19 pandemic, the problem is huge.

Awareness campaign

As a child pursuing your education virtually, your safety and confidence online are paramount. It’s your responsibility. Save yourself from potential reputation damage by adopting cyber hygiene norms. Cyberbully, reputation damage, and ransom requests are high. Request for training facilitated by Cybersecurity experts with case studies and experience sharing at the Institute of Forensics and ICT security and learn how to be secure while using virtual learning platforms and social networks like Whatsapp.

Let’s get out of the thinking that security is only for big organizations and IT people because the target base is wide and covers you. you are the target!!