October is National Cyber Security Awareness Month, and we love participating, as it is a way to help further educate everyone about staying safe on the Internet. To kick off the first week, we’re going to give you a crash course in basic cyber security 101. A lot of these topics will come up over the next month, so let’s make sure everyone knows what they mean.

1. Secure Passwords:
The keys to our digital kingdom, passwords should be closely protected. A lot of the times, that’s all a cybercriminal needs to gain access to your account. The following articles not only teach you about HOW to make secure passwords and protect them, but WHY as well.

• How To Choose a Secure Password
• Password Managers Are The Key To Secure Passwords
• The Importance of Two-Factor Authentication
   

2. Malware:
Malware, malware, malware! You hear that term everywhere, however, it can mean so many different things. Malware is more of an umbrella term used for any kind of malicious software on the Internet landscape- from annoying adware to devastating ransomware, these articles will help explain to you the types of common malware, what it does, and how you can get it.

• Malware 101: What Is Malware?
• Malware 101: How Do I Get Malware on My Computer? Part One
• Malware 101: How Do I Get Malware on My Computer? Part Two
• Ransomware- When Cybercriminals Hold Your Computer Hostage

3. Privacy:
If this isn’t an issue for you, it should be. A lot of people take the stance of “I don’t do anything wrong, therefore I have nothing to hide.” however that is largely misinterpreted. You have everything to hide. So many apps, websites and services we use online today host a trove of data about their users, they’re a goldmine for a cybercriminal. These articles will teach you about the importance of data privacy and how to make your digital footprint more secure online.

• How To Avoid Identity Theft Online
• What Happens When Your Identity Is Stolen?
• Data Privacy and Ridesharing Apps
• Online Dating and Protecting Your Privacy
• How To Protect Yourself From Cyberstalkers

4. Data Breaches:
Data breaches are why we should care about our privacy. Scammers and criminals target companies in order to obtain as much data as possible about an individual, which in turn helps them commit identity theft or collect a hefty sum on the black market for the data. Learn about how data breaches happen and what to do if you happen to get involved in a data breach.

• Data Breaches Aren't Going Away- What You Need To Know
• Data Breach- The Best Defense is Vigilance
• POS Malware Data Breaches and Why They Keep Happening
• What To Do In The Event Of A Bank Breach
• What to Do in the Event of a Major Data Breach
• My Account May Have Been Hacked—What To Do Now?
• What is Cyber Espionage?

5. Safe Computing:
A lot of the threats today you can combat yourself, just armed with a little bit of knowledge. Internet security software is an essential piece of the cyber security pie, however, it can’t protect you form every single threat out there. Comprehensive Internet security software, coupled with a well educated user will go a long way on the threat landscape, so get your learn on, and empower yourself to navigate the web safely.

• The Importance of General Software Updates and Patches
• How To Protect Yourself From Phishing Scams
• How To Safely and Securely Use USB Memory Sticks
• SSL Certificates: What Consumers Need to Know
• 5 Ways You Didn't Know You Could Get a Virus, Malware, or Your Social Account Hacked
• What is Social Engineering?
• What Is A Man In The Middle Attack?
• Public Wi-Fi Security 101: What Makes Public Wi-Fi Vulnerable To Attack And How To Stay Safe

6. Online Scams:
Scammers are the bottom of the barrel of Internet criminals. Online scams take hardly any technical skills to execute, yet so many people fall for them. You can find online scams everywhere today, from social media platforms to our private email accounts. These articles can teach you how to identify the common red flags found in most scams, and how to keep protected against them.

• Social Media Scams Based on Current Events
• Free Movie And Television Scams On Facebook Comments Embedded In Popular Website Articles
• How To Protect Yourself From Phishing Scams

7. Mobile Protection:
There are just as many threats on the mobile landscape as there are with computers. With the popularity of smartphones and tablets on the rise, they are becoming more of a target to cybercriminals. Since we’re starting to use our smaller devices as we would a desktop or laptop computer, more of our personal data is stored on these devices and thieves are taking notice. Learn about the varied types of threats on the mobile landscape and how to stay safe.

• Theft-Proof Your Mobile Data
• Four Mobile Threats that May Surprise You
• Mobile Scams: How-to Identify Them and Protect Yourself
• How to Spot a Fake Android App
• Cyber Security Concerns and Smartphones                                             

• Exactly How Free Is That Free App?         
  
  Need a quick-fix lesson? Check out our #30SecTech video series: 


• What Is a Virus #30SecTech                                                                       

• How do Zero-Day Vulnerabilities work: #30SecTech                               

• Get to Know Firewalls 101 - #30SecTech                                     

• Point of Sale Malware Attacks Explained - #30SecTech              

• Securing the Internet of Things - #30SecTech video                              

• Cookies and Your Online Privacy: #30SecTech     
• The Real Cost of Free: #30SecTech Video
• How do Hackers Steal Passwords: #30SecTech Video
• Ransomware- When Cybercriminals Hold Your Computer Hostage
• What is Social Engineering?

Now that you are armed with the basics, you will find that they will actually take you a long way. We will be covering more, in-depth looks at specific topics all month. Check back here for updates and new posts, and happy National Cyber Security Awareness Month!

Here are some more weekly topics for National Cyber Security Awareness Month that you may have missed:

Week one- Five Years of STOP. THINK. CONNECT. – Best Practices for All Digital Citizens:
https://community.norton.com/en/blogs/norton-protection-blog/8-elements-help-you-become-great-digital-citizen
https://community.norton.com/en/blogs/norton-protection-blog/cybersecurity-what-you-need-know-and-do-stay-safe-online

Week two- Creating a Culture of Cyber Security at Work:
https://community.norton.com/en/blogs/norton-protection-blog/how-do-businesses-get-hacked

Week three- Connected Communities and Families: Staying Protected While We Are Always Connected
https://community.norton.com/en/blogs/norton-protection-blog/7-most-important-cyber-security-topics-you-should-learn-about

Week four- Your Evolving Digital Life
https://community.norton.com/en/blogs/norton-protection-blog/your-evolving-digital-life-internet-things

Week five- Building the Next Generation of Cyber Professionals
https://community.norton.com/en/blogs/norton-protection-blog/building-next-generation-cyber-professionals