Online Safety
You post a picture of you and your best friend to your favorite social media platform. She doesn’t feel comfortable with the image, so you agree to take it down. Will this ensure that no one else sees the picture?
No. Once an image (or any information) is posted on the internet, it is virtually impossible to remove it from circulation. Taking it off of your social media page will help, but there is no guarantee that others have not already seen it and/or downloaded it to their own machines.
1. Passwords should contain a mixture of upper and lower case letters, numbers, and special characters.
2. Passwords should have personal meaning to you (e.g. a relative’s birthday) so that you can remember them more easily.
3. You should immediately change your password in the case of a known data breach.
4. You should store your passwords on paper or in a text document, giving you a backup in the event that you forget them.
1 & 3. While it is helpful for passwords to have some level of personal relevance, anything concrete or publicly-available (high schools, birthdates, pets’ names, etc.) can be easily researched and guessed by an attacker.
Storing your passwords physically or in a text-document is also ill-advised, as someone could gain access to the copy.
Approximately how many attempted cyber attacks are reported to the Pentagon every day? (Closest answer wins.)
Over 10 million.
This entrepreneur is widely-known for his contributions to the personal computer industry. He founded the Microsoft Corporation in 1975, with his business partner Paul Allen.
Bill Gates
Approximately how many attempted cyber attacks are reported to the Pentagon every day? (Closest answer wins.)
Over 10 million.
You receive an email from an online shopping site claiming that you were incorrectly charged for your last purchase and are due a refund. The email asks you to click a link where you will submit the necessary information. What should you do?
Do NOT click the link! Check the sender’s address and search the document for spelling/grammar mistakes. If you notice anything suspicious, the email is likely a scam. Even if it seems legitimate, navigate to the site yourself rather than clicking any links.
True or false: Automatically updating your machine poses a significant security concern, as it could install unwanted programs/features that disrupt your network or harm your computer.
False. Although updates can occasionally cause problems, they also contain vital patches to help protect your machine against attackers. Keep your machine up-to-date and install new patches as soon as possible. Don’t click, “Remind me later,” twelve times.
How many unfilled cybersecurity jobs are there in the United States alone? (Closest answer wins.)
1.8 Million.
Which United States federal agency has been tasked with improving national cybersecurity and protecting the nation’s critical infrastructure?
The Department of Homeland Security. Specifically, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), which is responsible for protecting the Nation’s critical infrastructure from physical and cyber threats.
How many unfilled cybersecurity jobs are there in the United States alone? (Closest answer wins.)
1.8 Million.
You’ve just settled into a local coffee shop when you realize you need to transfer some funds from your savings account to your checking account. In order to do this, you will need to connect your laptop to the coffee shop’s public guest Wi-Fi and log in to your online bank. Should you risk it?
All most never. In general, it is never safe to transmit PII (Personally Identifiable Information), especially financial information, over a public network. If you find yourself in a situation where you may need to do so, first consider all your options, including using your mobile data or a VPN (Virtual Private Network) to help protect your browsing. If none are avalible do not.
True or false: Although they operate similarly to computers, most mobile devices (cell phones, tablets, etc.) are not full computers and do not require software, such as anti-virus, to be secure.
False. Almost all consumer devices, especially cell phones and tablets, are simply miniature computers. They contain important data (contacts, financial information, calendars) and require protection like any other device.
Globally, how many unfilled cybersecurity positions are there estimated to be by 2025? (Closest answer wins.)
3.5 Million.
This English cryptanalyst is famous for deciphering encoded messages during World War II and creating standards for artificial intelligence. He is considered by many to be the father of theoretical computing. (Hint: There was a 2014 movie based on his biography.)
Alan Turing, Turing helped the Allies by cracking intercepted messages from the German forces, gleaning information that was crucial to an Allied victory. He also created the “Turing test,” which examines a machine’s ability to display human behavior.
Globally, how many unfilled cybersecurity positions are there estimated to be by 2025? (Closest answer wins.)
3.5 Million.
You are attending convention and are excited to see everything. You put in your earbuds so you can listen a podcast. However, when you check for social media updates around lunch, you find that your account has been hacked. What steps could you take to prevent your mobile device or laptop data from being compromised in the future
• Turn off Wi-Fi and Bluetooth when not using them. These technologies leave you open to remote attacks.
• Make sure the network is legitimate. Hackers love to create fake networks that mimic real ones, enticing unsuspecting users to log on.
• Don’t connect. Though perhaps drastic, one near-certain way to circumvent the dangers of public Wi-Fi is simply to avoid using it whenever possible.
Which of the following devices could potentially be exploited by an attacker?
• Desktop computer
• Laptop computer
• Cell phone
• Television
• Refrigerator
• Digital assistant
• Remote-controlled keys
• Tablet
• Security camera
• Pacemaker
• Baby monitor
• GPS
• Toaster
• Thermostat
All of them. Yes, even the toaster – possibly.
What is the estimated cost of a successful phishing attack on a single small or medium-sized business? (Closest answer wins.)
$1.6 Million USD.
This English writer and mathematician is known for her work on the Analytical Engine and is considered to be one of the first computer programmers.
Ada Lovelace worked alongside Charles Babbage in the 1840s to publish the first computer-based algorithm.
What is the estimated cost of a successful phishing attack on a single small or medium-sized business? (Closest answer wins.)
$1.6 Million USD.
Passwords often have complex requirements, and most online citizens will need to remember numerous different passwords to access their internet services. What is a way to help you keep track of all these different passwords?
• Use a password manager. These are apps, devices, or cloud services that store your passwords in an encrypted vault that can only be unlocked with a single master password. (make sure it's trusted)
• Use a “password pattern.” This is simply a pattern (recognizable only to you) that you can use to help remember your passwords.
What is the method of access control by which users must present multiple, separate pieces of identification, such as a password and keycard, in order to access a system?
Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA). MFA greatly increases the security of access control. Even if a password is learned or an ID is stolen, it will not be enough to compromise a system. Many online services allow MFA options, such as requiring a one-time login code as well as a password.
What is the estimated global cost of cybercrime by the end of 2021? (Closest answer wins).
$6 Trillion USD.
In May 2017, this worldwide cyber attack used ransomware to exploit approximately 400,000 unpatched machines, resulting in damages totaling to over $4,000,000,000 USD (4 billion).
WannaCry. This ransomware attack propagated through an exploit called EternalBlue, which took advantage of older Windows systems. Targeted machines had their data involuntarily encrypted, with a demand of Bitcoin payment for the release thereof.
What is the estimated global cost of cybercrime by the end of 2021? (Closest answer wins).
$6 Trillion USD.