Simple definition

• Cyber Security is the broad set of actions to protect DIGITAL data and information from attacks and unintentional harm.

• Security Awareness in Cyber Security is about training people's habits and knowledge towards using computer systems responsibly and safely. It does not matter whether the computer system is for business or personal use.

1: Responsible Access

2: Responsible Scepticism

3: Responsible Browsing

4: Responsible Media

5: Responsible Device Management

6: Responsible Reporting

7: Responsible Lifestyles

Good habits

• Only access computer systems for which you either own or have received permission from the owner. Unauthorised access can get you in legal trouble.
• Use long and unique passwords or pass-phrases for all your accounts.
• Use a reputable password manager. It will help you create and manage passwords which are long, complex and hard to guess.
• Never physically write your access details to any system. Written access details are often quickly exposed, lost or stolen and then misused.
• Watch out for prying eyes when entering access details. Malicious persons like to spy on access attempts physically.

Good habits

• Avoid signing up for unusually great offers online. Many incredible deals turn out to be scams tricking people into sharing personal data.
• Do not be easily convinced by people you meet online. Malicious people often present a very enticing personality to pry private information from gullible people.
• Always independently verify any source asking for personal information. Many people become victims of cyber attacks for not doing this.

Good habits

• Avoid websites that generate a lot of pop-ups and alerts. Frequent pop-ups are usually hints of something terrible building up.
• Avoid logging into websites without HTTPS before the website address in the address bar. HTTPS means your communication is encrypted and private during transmission.
• Avoid downloading files from shady websites. Shady sites often provide malicious files.
• Be suspicious of unusual offers online. Many of them are scams trying to get personal information from you.

Good habits

• Avoid responding to messages asking for your login details. Sources with bad intentions usually ask.
• Avoid clicking on links or attachments from untrusted sources. Attackers often send harmful content trying to trick you to open.
• Always assess your social media posts before making it public. Public posts are almost impossible to remove from the internet.
• Avoid sharing nude or embarrassing photos online, especially on social media. They are often quickly used against you.

Good habits

• Encrypt data on your computing devices where possible. Encryption helps to keep your data private if your device is lost or stolen.
• Always use a reputable anti-malware software, they help to protect your computer system in automated ways.
• Always enable an access lock on your devices. People with bad intentions will try to capitalise on accessing your device.
• Always wipe your devices when you will no longer use them. If you do not, the new owner of your device may misuse your leftover data.
• Keep all software up-to-date and only install updates from the software's creator. Outdated software often contain publicly known security issues.
• Always supervise someone using your computing device. Unsupervised persons sometimes spy and steal private data.

Good habits

• If you identify a security issue in a computer system, report it to the system's owner first so they can fix it.
• When at work, abide by your company's policy on reporting security incidents. Unreported issues are likely to become bigger.
• Only practice responsible disclosure of private security issues you have reported. Publicly known security issues are often exploited by malicious persons and can seriously affect people's lives.

Good habits

• Speak with your close family about good security practices. They can be targeted to get personal details about you which you have kept private from everyone else.
• Avoid using shared computer systems to do private affairs. Shared systems are often poorly secured, and you're likely to leave personal data behind for someone to misuse.
• Stay up-to-date with Cyber Security news by following a credibly related blog. Such blogs will help you stay sharp as cyber threats evolve.
• Avoid sharing controversial news from unknown/untrusted sources. Fake news and gossip is a serious issue which can damage people's lives.
• Declutter and organise your data often, it makes it easier to spot abnormalities and indicators of a security breach.