Te Whanganui-a-Tara – New Zealand’s annual cyber security awareness campaign, cyber smart week, kicks off today with a challenge.
CERT NZ, the government agency behind the campaign, is challenging all New Zealanders to take their online security game to the next level.
Research shows New Zealanders need to be doing more to protect their online lives.
Less than half the Kiwi population does the online basics such as switching their privacy settings and using different passwords across important accounts.
Many New Zealanders are exposed to the risk of a cyber security incident and that can lead to things like losing money and private information. Cyber Smart Week is a great reminder for Aotearoa to be more secure online.
The CERT challenges are:
Strengthen password game
Long, strong and unique passwords are harder to crack. Up online security with long, strong and different passwords for each account, 15 characters or more is best, like JumpingTortoiseLiveWhanganui.
Power-up by turning on two-factor authentication
Keep attackers out of online accounts with a second layer of defence.
Double down and protect online accounts from attacks with two-factor authentication (2FA). It’s like a secret key for online accounts that’s used on top of password.
Update to full strength
Activate auto updates on apps and devices to dodge security weaknesses. Updates help keep apps and devices healthy.
Boost privacy defence
Switch social media settings to private to protect personal info. Personal information is gold for attackers.
CERT NZ 2022 research shows:
- 57 percent of New Zealanders report using strong passwords
- 45 percent of New Zealanders report using different passwords across accounts
- 51 percent of New Zealanders report using two-factor authentication
- 56 percent of New Zealanders report that they update apps and devices when new software is available
- 46 percent of New Zealanders report that they have switched their social media settings to private .
