Tuesday, February 10, is international Safer Internet Day (SID). It’s to promote safer and more responsible use of online technology and mobile phones, especially amongst children and young people across the world.
For example in Newcastle cadets will host an online forum for young people, giving them the opportunity to ask questions and share information or issues around online safety.
Those who join the forum between 6pm and 7pm will also be able to find out more information about the volunteer cadet scheme and ask current cadets about their role and the activities they get involved in.
PC Nicola MacGregor said: “This is a great opportunity for young people to get involved in and share information or issues around online safety. The internet is an important tool and very much a part of everyday life with social networking a popular way for young people to communicate.
“We want to help make sure young people stay safe online and are aware of the risks and what they can do to keep themselves safe. I would encourage any youngsters who are concerned about online safety or would like to share something to join the forum. It may be they want to raise something they don’t feel comfortable discussing with an adult and this will give them the opportunity to speak to people their own age.”
Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner Vera Baird said: “E-safety is a very important issue, especially for young people and it’s important they are aware of the potential dangers of the internet, social networks and mobile communication. By getting young people involved in this way we can help prevent them from becoming victim to such crimes as well as providing information about what to do should someone target them.”
Visit www.saferinternet.org/safer-internet-day.
Comment
Patrick Peterson, Cisco fellow and CEO of Agari, says: “There has been no shortage of news headlines about how today’s online threats are becoming increasingly sophisticated and convincing. Even though email is fast approaching its 40th birthday, it still remains the most vulnerable entry point in an organisation’s infrastructure. Unfortunately, given its ubiquity of use, it will continue to be a cyber-criminal’s best friend in the years ahead – essential to carrying out phishing attacks or spreading malware designed to hijack or compromise user information.
“It’s also important to note that cyber-criminals are becoming far more clever about what they’re stealing. Given that almost any data posted online can be traded for monetary value, credit-cards or bank account credentials are no longer the sole target of a cyber-attack. As such, Safer Internet Day must serve as a timely reminder of our shared responsibility as technologists and business leaders to increase the integrity of the internet and the way in which we use it. We all have a role to play.
“While many businesses today are cognisant of their data protection responsibilities, recurring data breach headlines confirm that many still have a way to go. No matter how large or small a company is, or how many emails a company sends, it could become the victim of domain spoofing or fall prey to a suspicious email. Choosing data-driven security solutions that detect and prevent email cyber-threats ensures legitimate email is delivered to the consumer, while illegitimate email is fed to the necessary takedown services. At the end of the day, even the most tech-savvy consumers can fall prey to a sophisticated phishing attack.”
