How to keep your family safe online during lockdown
With everyone staying indoors during lockdown due to COVID-19, inevitably screen time will increase as we look for ways to stay entertained and connected.
Take time to level up your passwords
There are many resources guiding password best practice, and if you have some spare time on your hands, take the opportunity to review your passwords and make changes where needed. Strong passwords are over eight characters combining upper and lower case letters, numbers, and symbols. Use a strong password in combination with multi-factor authentication to drastically minimise the chances of your accounts being compromised.
Consider what you share.
You are likely spending more time connecting with friends, family and colleagues online on social media and through video conferencing. As a general rule, consider the amount of personal information you share, including the seemingly innocuous background to your Zoom video conference. Now is a great time to check your security settings on your social media accounts, and make sure you keep the details to your meeting private.
Check your parental controls.
Depending upon the age of your children, you will be able to monitor and control access and behaviour online using tools either on their device, through your internet service provider, the social media or messaging site. There are various tools and guides available from the UK Safer Internet Centre, who recommend establishing a conversation with your child, setting clear boundaries, monitoring and supervision.
Resources
- Stay Safe Online - Social Media Advice
https://staysafeonline.org/stay-safe-online/securing-key-accounts-devices/social-media/ - National Cyber Security Centre - Password advice
https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/collection/passwords/updating-your-approach - UK Safer Internet Centre - Guidance for Parents and Carers
https://www.saferinternet.org.uk/advice-centre/parents-and-carers
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