MediaSmarts Tags - Cyber Security

When we use digital devices we run certain risks – to our personal information, our financial data, and those devices themselves. This section describes different cybersecurity risks, with tips and strategies for managing them, and looks at issues of particular concern to children and teens.

The Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA), in partnership with MediaSmarts wants to make sure you stay safe online. We have developed the following list of potential risks you may encounter during your online experience and suggested tools that may assist in lowering the level of risk.

Click here to download the Tip Sheet.

Click here to view the full tip sheet (PDF).

Click here to view the full tip sheet (PDF).

As well as invaluable tools for keeping in touch with our friends, families and our work, mobile devices have become an increasingly big part of how we access the Internet. Unfortunately, while many smartphones are nearly as powerful as computers, we often don’t use the same caution with them as we do with our computers—and they often don’t have the privacy and security safeguards that come built into computers. As well, the fact that we’re never far from our mobile devices can bring a host of opportunities for us to be distracted and to make poor choices.

Malware is a general term to describe destructive programs that can harm your computer or any other device that connects to the Internet, including smart phones, mp3 players and tablets.

There are many different forms of malware: viruses, trojans, worms and rootkits. What they all have in common is they can carry out one or more of the following actions once they are on your digital device:

Most Web surfing is done through browsers such as Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome and Safari. While these browsers are updated regularly, our use of the Web has evolved to the point where we now do many things online, such as shopping and banking. For that reason, there are a number of potential risks that come with using the Web.

Click here to download the Tip Sheet.

Click here to view the full tip sheet (PDF).

Fortunately, many antivirus programs, as well as comprehensive security software, exist to prevent the effects of software threats. A comprehensive security suite will have specific anti-spyware and dedicated adware removal software and provides general protection from viruses. Most vendors also issue patches that close down vulnerabilities exploited by email viruses.