Cyber Security Awareness

Simple Steps to Online Safety with Stop.Think.Connect.™ 

The Stop.Think.Connect. Campaign is a national public awareness effort that increases the understanding of cyber threats and empowers the American public to be safer and more secure online.

Even small actions can make a huge difference in keeping you safe online. As cyber crimes like scams, frauds, identity theft, and network breaches continue to increase, it’s more important than ever to know how to protect yourself in the cyber world.

Cyber-security Tips:

  • Set strong passwords. Make them long and complex, change them regularly, and don’t share them with anyone.
  • Secure your most sensitive accounts. When it is available, use multi-factor authentication to keep your accounts more secure.
  • Treat personal information like money. Information about you, such as your purchase history and location, has value, so be cautious about how your information is collected by apps and websites.
  • Protect Your Privacy. How much information about you exists online? Take a look at all of your social media platforms to be sure they aren’t revealing too much information. Your birthday, address, phone number, and email address should all be kept private, and your photos and posts should only be visible to friends. Make sure your privacy options are set to the strictest level.
  • Keep a clean machine. Regularly update the software on your Internet-connected devices, including PCs, smartphones, and tablets, to reduce the risk of infection from malware.
  • Maintain an open dialogue. Talk with your family, friends, and community about Internet safety. With technology always changing, make the online safety conversation an ongoing and evolving conversation as well.
  • Don’t believe everything you read. Be cautious about what you receive or read online—if it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is.
  • When in doubt, throw it out. If you see a suspicious link in an email, tweet, social media post, or online advertising, it’s best to delete it or, if appropriate, mark it as junk.

Resources for all audiences:

  • To receive cybersecurity tips year round, visit Stop.Think.Connect.
  • Access Toolkits for Students K-8, 9-12, and Undergraduate, Parents and Educators, Young Professionals, Older Americans, Industry, Small Business or cyber topics such as social media, IoT, as well as many others at Stop.Think. Connect. Toolkit.