Cybersecurity Basics

Strong passwords help protect your family's personal information, email, and online accounts.

Simple Steps to Stay Safe Online:

1. Use long passwords. Aim for at least 16 characters when creating your own password.

2. Try a passphrase. Combine several unrelated words to create a password that's easier to remember but difficult to guess.

3. Use a unique password for every account. Never reuse passwords across important accounts.

4. Consider a password manager. It can create and securely store strong passwords for you.

5. Use passkeys when available. Passkeys offer a secure, convenient way to sign in without traditional passwords.

 Family Safety Tip

Avoid using your child's name, birthday, school name, or other personal information in passwords.

Watch & Learn

Learn more: National Cybersecurity Alliance (NCA) – How to Create Strong Passwords (and Remember Them!)

Multifactor authentication (MFA), also called two-step verification, adds an extra layer of security to your online accounts. In addition to your password, you verify your identity using a second method, such as an authentication app, fingerprint, or security key.

Simple Steps to Stay Safe Online:

1. Turn on MFA. Enable it for important accounts, especially email, banking, and accounts containing personal or school-related information.

2. Use an authenticator app. When available, choose an authenticator app instead of text message codes for better protection.

3. Consider stronger methods. Security keys and phishing-resistant passkeys provide additional protection when supported.

4. Never share verification codes. Legitimate support staff should not ask you to disclose your MFA codes.

5. Be cautious of unexpected approval requests. If you receive a sign-in notification you did not initiate, deny it and check your account security.

Family Safety Tip

Protect your family's accounts by enabling multifactor authentication (MFA) whenever possible. Start with your email account, since someone who gains access to your email may be able to reset passwords for your other accounts.

Watch & Learn

Learn more: National Cybersecurity Alliance (NCA) - What is Multifactor Authentication (MFA) and How Do You Enable It?

Keeping your family's devices secure helps protect personal information, prevent unauthorized access, and reduce the risk of viruses and other online threats.

Simple Steps to Stay Safe Online

1. Keep devices updated. Install software and security updates on phones, tablets, and computers. Turn on automatic updates whenever possible.

2. Use screen locks. Protect devices with a PIN, password, fingerprint, or facial recognition to prevent unauthorized access.

3. Download apps from trusted sources. Use official app stores and avoid downloading unfamiliar software or opening suspicious attachments.

4. Review app permissions. Check which apps can access your camera, microphone, location, and personal information. Allow only what is necessary.

5. Protect against malware. Use built-in security features or reputable security software, and avoid clicking suspicious links or downloading unknown files.

Family Safety Tip

Help your children build safe technology habits. Teach them to ask a trusted adult before downloading new apps, installing games, or clicking unfamiliar links.

Learn more: National Cybersecurity Alliance (NCA) – Why You Should Update Software for Security and How to Do It

Your family's personal information is valuable. Sharing too much online can increase the risk of identity theft, scams, and unwanted contact. Learning what to keep private helps protect you and your children.

Simple Steps to Stay Safe Online

1. Think before you share. Avoid posting sensitive information such as your home address, phone number, birthdate, passwords, or identification numbers.

2. Protect student information. Avoid sharing photos of student ID cards, school documents, schedules, or other records containing personal information.

3. Review privacy settings. Check who can see your family's social media posts, photos, profiles, and location information.

4. Be cautious with online forms. Only provide personal information on trusted websites. Verify unexpected requests for student or family information directly with the school.

5. Limit location sharing. Turn off unnecessary location permissions and avoid posting your child's real-time location or daily routines publicly.

Family Safety Tip

Before sharing a photo of your child, check the background for information such as school names, student ID badges, addresses, or other details that could reveal their identity or location.

Watch & Learn

Learn more: Federal Trade Commission (FTC) – Protecting Your Privacy Online

Using the internet safely and securing your home Wi-Fi network helps protect your family's devices, personal information, and online activities.

Simple Steps to Stay Safe Online:

1. Secure your home Wi-Fi. Use a strong, unique Wi-Fi password and WPA3 security when available, or WPA2-AES if WPA3 isn't supported.

2. Keep your router updated. Enable automatic firmware updates when available to help protect your home network from security vulnerabilities.

3. Browse trusted websites. Check website addresses carefully before entering personal information. Remember that a padlock or HTTPS connection does not guarantee a website is legitimate.

4. Be careful on public Wi-Fi. Avoid connecting to unfamiliar networks, verify the correct network name, and turn off automatic connections to unknown Wi-Fi networks.

5. Secure connected devices. Change default administrator passwords on routers and smart devices, and disable features you don't use, such as remote router management.

Family Safety Tip

If your family uses the Wi-Fi password printed on the router, consider changing it to a strong, unique password. Also make sure your router's administrator password is secure, since it controls your network settings.

Learn more: National Cybersecurity Alliance (NCA) – Public Computers and Public Wi-Fi: How to Stay Safe Out and About