In 2017, over 1 million children were victims of identity theft fraud (shockingly, two thirds of those victims were age seven or younger). And by 2021, the number of smart homes in North America is expected to hit 73 million, making up more than 50 percent of all households.
Against this backdrop, it is imperative to teach families how to stay safe online when introducing children to their first phone or when bringing new smart toys/appliances into the home.
Now in its 15th year (!!), National Cybersecurity Awareness Month is co-led by Department of Homeland Security and National Cyber Security Alliance to bring awareness to the latest cybersecurity issues of the day for consumers, industry, schools, government and nonprofits.
I had a chance to interview Tiffany Schoenike, Director of Campaigns and Initiatives for the National Cyber Security Alliance.
What are some of the easiest steps to take against hackers - and why do some people still not do them?
One of the easiest things to do is protect your email by locking down your login, or turning on stronger authentication, (sometimes called 2-step verification or multi-factor authentication) which usually involves a unique one-time code sent to your mobile phone. This provides an extra layer of security beyond your username and password so that if a hacker finds out your password it will be substantially harder for them to access your email account. Your email holds the ‘keys to the kingdom’ because it includes a lot of your personal and financial information, so it’s really critical to protect. Also, keep a clean machine – that is, update your software on your computer and devices such as your mobile phone. It’s the best way to protect your personal information from being compromised and helps protect against ID theft. As moms, we’re very busy and updating software and implementing stronger authentication are probably very low on our list of priorities! However, it doesn’t take long, and it’s fairly simple and free. You can read more about stronger authentication at Lock Down Your Login. You can learn about other tips for staying safe online athttps://stopthinkconnect.org/tips-advice/general-tips-and-advice
People do not take these safety precautions because they have other priorities that seem more immediate. It’s really easy to put off. I think they also have a hard time understanding the consequences. It’s an easy thing to ignore and think, ‘It won’t happen to me.’
Are there potential dangers from smart toys and other smart devices?
Not all smart devices are created equal, so it really depends on the device – like cars, some are safer than others. However, there are in general a lot of security and privacy concerns around smart toys and devices. In addition, the risk is not always from the toy itself, but from the network. If a toy is connected to an unsecured network, there is the risk that a hacker may be listening in on your child’s conversations (if there is a microphone) or tracking their information or movements (if geo-tracking is enabled). The best thing parents can do is make sure their home network is protected – connect all IoT devices to a separate network from the network you use for your laptops and PCs and keep all software up to date (see more here). Parents should also ask themselves, what are the benefits of having a toy that is connected to the internet? Would the functionality of the toy be just as good without having to worry about that vulnerability? Do I want these devices to collect and share personal information about my child?
How can families be sure their elderly relatives or family members who aren't tech-savvy are also protected?
Those who aren’t tech-savvy can be more vulnerable to breaches and the elderly are particularly vulnerable to online scams. Grown children need to have ongoing conversations with their parents and other elderly family and friends about cybersafety the same way they would with younger members of the family. If you live near your elderly relatives it would be a good idea to visit and make sure they are following basic cyber hygiene, such as using strong passwords (12 characters or more), keeping a clean machine by automating software updates and learning how to recognize suspicious emails. They should also understand that what they post online can last forever and can share personal details about themselves that they may not be aware of. We recommend that older adults follow these tips for staying safe online: https://staysafeonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/STOP.-THINK.-CONNECT.-Online-Safety-Tips-for-Older-Adults.pdf
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