You probably wouldn’t disclose personal details about your house being empty, being away on vacation, or your family’s schedule to a random stranger. But are you cyber-aware enough to help your family stay safe in our super-connected world? Do your family members also know how and when to be cautious?
Children may not understand the risks of the online world. It’s up to all of us to teach them. In fact, a 2026 report from Norton found that over half of parents whose kids play chat-enabled games said their child has communicated online with a stranger, and 29% said the stranger encouraged their child to continue the conversation on another platform.
Knowledge is power, so here are a few cybersecurity tips for you and your family:
Keep your personal information private.
Be careful about sharing personal information in text, email, and online.
If you are shopping online, make sure you are on a reputable site before entering any sensitive information.
Use a strong password, passcode, or biometric login to protect your accounts online.
Consider using a Virtual Private Network (VPN).
A virtual private network (VPN) is a tool that encrypts your communications when you're connecting to the Internet via Wi-Fi, and it can be used anywhere in the world. Set up is typically easy and affordable but be sure to use a trusted provider.
Please note, some companies block VPNs as part of their anti-fraud protections. If that happens, it may be best to wait until you can access the site through another secure and trusted connection.
Protect your home network.
Be sure to change the password on your router as soon as you install it.
Configure security and privacy settings on your devices and invest in reputable antivirus software for your computers. Set up automatic software updates on all the programs you use. Software companies often discover vulnerabilities before cybercriminals do and rush to fix them.
Consider the risks of using public Wi-Fi.
Most of us are so accustomed to using our devices everywhere that we don’t think twice about logging in to free public W-Fi anywhere it’s available. Some Wi-Fi connections can’t be trusted and are easy targets for cybercriminals. Instead, wait for a secure connection or use a VPN.
In addition, public USB charging stations can be manipulated to infect your devices with malware and pose a potential risk when traveling. Protect your devices when using public USB power stations by connecting with power-only cables.
Never plug an unknown storage device into your laptop or phone.
Have open, honest conversations about family-tech choices and rules.
No one can monitor every click, tap, or conversation. Set and convey ground rules that can work for your family’s needs. Remember, strict rules, prohibitions and monitoring are not ironclad. Kids are smart and known for getting around parental controls and tech solutions, so open, ongoing dialogue about boundaries can help them understand the inherent dangers to avoid. Topics should include scammers, cyberbullying, privacy, and the possibility of seeing adult content.
Thank you for reading about cybersecurity for your family. We hope you’ll use the tips to stay safe online. Now, here’s your chance to win a $300 Amazon gift card! Just answer the following correctly and you’ll be entered to win!
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