{"id":175226,"date":"2023-10-02T08:58:15","date_gmt":"2023-10-02T15:58:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mcafee.com\/blogs\/?p=175226"},"modified":"2024-07-31T11:30:44","modified_gmt":"2024-07-31T18:30:44","slug":"cybersecurity-awareness-month","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mcafee.com\/blogs\/internet-security\/cybersecurity-awareness-month\/","title":{"rendered":"How much do you count on the internet every day?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Maybe you do armloads of shopping on it. Maybe you skip going to the bank because you can tackle the bulk of your finances online. And perhaps you even pay your doctor a visit with it, instead of taking a trip to their office.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The way we use the internet has changed. We rely on it for a wealth of important things. Now more than ever, which makes Cybersecurity Awareness Month more important than ever.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Every October, we proudly take part in Cybersecurity Awareness Month. In partnership with the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency (CISA) and a host of organizations in the private sector, we shed light on an essential topic\u2014a safer internet.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The time of the internet as a novelty has long passed. The internet isn\u2019t just nice. It\u2019s essential. To the point that it\u2019s a utility, like power or water. With <\/span>that,<\/span> a safe internet is a must.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Granted, <\/span>amid<\/span> news of data breaches and major hacks, it might seem like the notion of a safer internet is out of your hands. After all, what can you do to make the internet a safer place?<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Plenty.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Extra awareness and a few straightforward actions can make your time online far safer than before. And that\u2019s a common theme here <\/span>on<\/span> our blog. Even as new threats appear daily, you live in a time where you have some of the most comprehensive and easy-to-use tools to combat them\u2014and keep yourself safe.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

With that, Cybersecurity Awareness Month comes with a quick five-step checklist you can run through. Set aside some time this month to knock out each item. You\u2019ll find yourself much more secure from hacks, attacks, and identity theft in the wake of data breaches.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Let\u2019s dive in.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

1. Use strong passwords and a password manager to stay on top of them all.<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

Strong, unique passwords offer another primary line of defense. Yet with all the accounts we have floating around, juggling dozens of strong and unique passwords can feel like a task. Thus the temptation to use (and re-use) simpler passwords. Hackers love this because one password can be the key to several accounts. Instead, try a password manager that can create those passwords for you and safely store them as well. <\/span>Comprehensive security software like ours will include a password manager<\/span><\/a>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

2. Set your apps and operating system to update automatically.<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

Updates do all kinds of great things for gaming, streaming, and chatting apps\u2014like adding more features and functionality over time. Updates do something else. They make those apps more secure. Hackers will hammer away at apps to find or create vulnerabilities, which can steal personal info or compromise the device itself. Updates will often include security improvements, in addition to performance improvements.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For your computers and laptops:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n