Promoting Cybersecurity Awareness

We are happy to support National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM),a global effort between government and industry to ensure everyone has the resources they need to be safer, more secure and better able to protect their personal information online.

We've talked about how cybersecurity is a shared responsibility, and that is the theme for National Cybersecurity Awareness Month - the Internet is a shared resource and securing it is our shared responsibility. This means technology companies, governments, and even users have to work together to protect and improve the security of the Internet. We all have to do our part to make the Internet safer and more secure for everyone. This is a time for all Internet users to Stop. Think. Connect. This month, and all year long, we want to help you be more "CyberAware."

Our responsibility as a technology company is to create secure platforms, build features that improve security, and empower people with education and resources to better protect their security. At Mozilla, we have security features like phishing and malware protection built into Firefox, Firefox Add-ons focused on cybersecurity, and a checkup site to make sure Firefox and all your add-ons and plugins up to date, just to name a few.

But, the increasing incidents we've seen in the news show that as cybersecurity efforts and technology protections advance, so do the threats against Internet security. Now, more than ever, each Internet user has a responsibility to protect themselves and help protect those around them.

There are lots of tips, tools, and resources available to you to help protect your privacy and security online. Try to take advantage of the resources available to increase your cybersecurity awareness and digital literacy skills. We believe that creating awareness and giving people access to the right tools to learn basic Web literacy skills - like reading, writing, and participating online - opens new opportunities to better utilize the Web for your needs.

We'll list a few basic cybersecurity tips here, and you should also know how each of your devices, services, and accounts handles your private information.

These steps don't just protect people who care about their own security, they help create a more secure Internet for the billions of people online.

The basic steps to protect your cybersecurity include: (here's a fun infographic with these tips)

• Lock down your login: Use strong passwords and the strongest authentication tools available to protect your online accounts and personal information.
• Keep a clean machine: Make sure all your Internet connected devices, Web services, and apps are with up to date with the latest software and enable auto updates when you can.
• Remember- Personal information is like money: Value it and protect it- everything from your location to purchase history. Be aware and in control of what information is shared about you online.
• When in doubt, throw it out: Cybercriminals are sneaky and often use links in email, social media, and ads to steal your personal information. Even if you know the source, if something looks suspicious, don't click on it- delete it.
• Share with Care: Think before your post. Consider who will see the post and how it might be perceived, now or in the future. And, don't post something about someone else that you wouldn't want posted about yourself.
• Own Your Online Presence: Consider limiting how and with whom you share information online. Make sure to set your individual app and website privacy and security settings to meet your needs.

If you're interested in more ways you can protect your digital privacy, you should check out the Consumer Reports 10 minute digital privacy tuneup that Mozilla contributed to, or for even more tips, you can read the full article with 66 ways to protect your privacy.

To get more information and resources to promote a safer, more secure, and more trusted Internet all month long, visit: Stop.Think.Connect, Stay Safe Online, and the European Cyber Security Month website.

You can join Mozilla, National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA) and others in a Stop. Think. Connect Twitter chat today at 12 pm PT for more about the basics of online safety. #CyberAware #ChatSTC. You can follow and use the official NCSAM hashtag #CyberAware on Twitter throughout the month.

We'll also continue to share more about important cybersecurity topics throughout the month.