Safety Net brings you Cybersecurity 101, free of charge

Hello,

Today I’d like to introduce an exciting and informative new project we’re happy to be able to share with you all — Safety Net, Postmedia’s newsletter course on cybersecurity best practices, is launching now.

Online safety has never been more economically important. Over the past several years, we’ve seen growing sophistication of internet fraud, deception and theft — from outright hacking to complicated schemes to convince innocent people to hand over their personal information to nefarious actors.

Much of the danger is in the commercial and government sectors, which is why Postmedia has delivered a series of articles focused on cybersecurity for business. Our coverage has included large-scale ransomware attacks, the vulnerability of the health-care sector and Canada’s growing labour shortage in cybersecurity, among other topics.

But average readers also want to learn more about how to protect themselves and their families. When you sign up for the Safety Net newsletter course, you will receive a series of four emails over the next couple of weeks about online safety from a consumer’s perspective. We will delve into the basics, including:

• Key terms and concepts in cybersecurity
• Protecting your home network
• How to set up stronger passwords and multi-factor authentication
• Smart devices for your home, and how to protect them
• Scams targeting seniors, and resources for elderly residents on social media, email and online banking
• Talking to your kids about online safety, including tech addiction, child luring, catfishing and building good cybersecurity habits

Throughout the course, we welcome your feedback. Please feel free to reply to our emails. Thank you, and we hope you enjoy the series.

Jackson Doughart

Editor, Safety Net series

Postmedia

Read more from our Safety Net series: 

• How labour shortages could lead to more cyberattacks
• Hackers for hire help companies find their weak spots
• Growing cyberattacks on Canada’s food system threaten disaster
• How a ‘Russian Mafia group’ took Saint John hostage
• Crypto scams are duping thousands of Canadians, leaving them despondent and broke