Over the last 12 months, technology has featured in our lives in a way I don\u2019t think any of us would have predicted. Whether you were in lockdown, choosing to stay home to stay well or quite simply, out of other option \u2013 technology saved the day. It helped us work and learn from home, stay connected with friends and family, entertain ourselves, shop and essentially, live our lives.<\/p>\n
For many parents, this was a real \u2018aha\u2019 moment. A moment when technology went from being an annoying distraction to incredibly critical to the functioning of our day to day lives. Of course, many of us had always considered technology to be useful to help us order groceries and check Facebook but to experience first-hand that technology meant life could go on during a worldwide pandemic was a real game changer.<\/p>\n
Whether it was downloading video calling apps like Zoom or Facetime, setting up a Twitter account to get updates from the Health Department, using Google Doc to work collaboratively or experiencing what online gaming really is via a few sessions on the Xbox, 2020 means many parents had to get up to date, real fast! And you know what \u2013 that\u2019s a good thing! I\u2019ve had so many parents remark to me that they know finally understand why their kids are so enamoured with technology. There really is nothing like walking in someone\u2019s shoes to experience their world!<\/p>\n
I\u2019m a big believer in parents taking the time to truly understand the world in which their kids exist. For years, I\u2019ve advised parents to download and use the apps and games their kids play so they can understand the attraction and complexity of their kids\u2019 digital life. Well, it may have taken a global pandemic, but I am delighted to report that, anecdotally at this stage, more parents are now embracing their kids\u2019 online world.<\/p>\n
When we first become enamoured with something, we often enter the \u2018honeymoon\u2019 phase. As a married woman of 28 years, this was many years ago for me!! The honeymoon phase is when everything is wonderful and rosy, and negatives are not always considered. And our relationship with technology can be much the same. And I\u2019ve been there – there\u2019s nothing quite so wonderful as discovering a new app or piece of software and almost being joyous at just how transformational it could be for your life. And this often means we gloss over or even ignore the risks because we are in love!!!<\/p>\n
So, as Cybermum, I\u2019m here to cheer you on and pat you on the back for embracing and using new apps and software. Yes, I\u2019m very proud! But I also want to share with you just a few steps that you need to take to ensure you are not taking on any unnecessary risks with your new favourite app. Here are my top tips:<\/p>\n
1. Passwords<\/strong> 2. Software Updates<\/strong> So, automate these updates if you can or schedule them in your diary. Why not earmark the first day of the month to check and see what you need to download to protect yourself? And don\u2019t forget about your operating system on your phone or laptop too!<\/p>\n 3. Be Wi-Fi Wary<\/strong> So, please keep going! Keep exploring new ways technology can work for you in our new COVID world. But remember to take a break too. There is no doubt that technology has saved the day and has ensure we can all still function but there must be a balance too. So, walk the dog, play a board game or having a cuppa outside. Remember you manage the technology; it doesn\u2019t manage you!<\/p>\n Till next time<\/p>\n Stay safe online.<\/p>\n Alex xx<\/p>\n <\/p>\n To stay updated on all things\u00a0McAfee<\/a>\u00a0and on top of the latest consumer and mobile security threats, follow\u00a0@McAfee_Home\u00a0<\/a>\u00a0on Twitter, subscribe to our\u00a0email<\/a>, listen to our podcast\u00a0Hackable?<\/a>, and \u2018Like\u2019 us on\u00a0Facebook.<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" How 2020 Helped Parents Understand Their Kids\u2019 Digital Lives Over the last 12 months, technology has featured in our lives…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":932,"featured_media":91815,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[12],"tags":[3946,76,3949,32,142,214,5007,292],"coauthors":[5150],"class_list":["post-118864","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-family-safety","tag-credit-card-fraud","tag-cybercrime","tag-cybersafety","tag-data-protection","tag-tag-identity-theft","tag-mobile-security1","tag-online-safety","tag-risk-management"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
\nEvery app, online account or piece of software needs it own individual password. Yes, I know that it is a real pain, but it is one of the most important things you will do to protect yourself online. I\u2019m a big fan of password managers that not only generate the most incredibly complex passwords for each of your accounts but remember them for you. McAfee\u2019s password manager, True Key, is a free option which has completely helped me manage my 80 plus collection of passwords!! Very grateful!<\/p>\n
\nThe main purpose of a software update is to protect the user from security threats. Yes, you may also get some new features and possibly have a glitch or 2 removed but it is all about the user\u2019s safety. So, if you don\u2019t update your software, it\u2019s a little like leaving windows open when you go out. And the longer you leave between updates \u2013 the more windows you leave open!<\/p>\n
\nDodgy wi-fi is where so many people come unstuck. Regardless of what app or software you are using, anything you share via unsecured wi-fi could be intercepted by a hacker. So, if you find yourself using wi-fi regularly, you might want to consider a Virtual Private Network or VPN. A VPN creates an encrypted tunnel so anything you share via Wi-Fi cannot be intercepted. Genius, really! Check out McAfee\u2019s Safe Connect for peace of mind.<\/p>\n