National Computer Security Day – 30th November, 2022

Every year on November 30th, National Computer Security Day is commemorated. It is a great time to remind people that we all share responsibility for securing the information that our computers, phones, and tablets process. That includes passwords, the websites we access, and the apps we use.

Cybercrime is becoming more prevalent and is hurting everyone. We have seen an increase in ransomware and other types of malware attacks that steal data or even shut down entire businesses.

Our theme for this year would be “Think Before You Click,” which is a good reminder for everyone to take a minute to evaluate your online activity before you click. 

When is the National Computer Security Day?

National Education Day will be observed on November 30th, 2022.

A Brief History of National Computer Security Day:

If you think today’s breaches are bad, wait until tomorrow, as hackers keep finding new ways to get into computer networks and steal sensitive information.

There is a fascinating story of the origin of National Computer Security Day and why it’s so important to help others learn about the importance of secure computing.

In November 1988, Cornell University researchers found a virus that was not yet known to exist, one that had been unknowingly hiding in their computer systems. It took a few hours for the “Morris Worm Virus” to then spread to dozens of other university systems as well as the ARPANET, which was an early version of today’s Internet.

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) suggested the formation of a “National Computer Infection Action Team” (NCAT) to deal with viruses like this.

As a result, the first National Computer Security Day was organized in 1988 by the Association for Computing Machinery to raise awareness about cybercrimes and viruses.

National Computer Security Day or National Cybersecurity Awareness Month both have the same goal in mind: to raise awareness of cyber security and to improve the protection of our nation’s information infrastructure.

What is a Cyber Attack?

Cyber-attacks come in many forms, but most people are familiar with malware and spyware. Hackers can access your computer remotely to download malware onto your system. These types of viruses can be hazardous if not caught in time.

They can steal personal information such as credit card numbers, account numbers, passwords, bank account details, and so on. They can also cause other problems like corrupting your files, slowing down your computer, and even locking you out of your computer.

In the past, hackers used simple techniques to break into computers. Nowadays, with the rise of mobile devices, such as smartphones, tablets, laptops, and even desktops, it has become easier to penetrate any system.

It’s up to us to keep our systems secure by staying vigilant about what we put on our computers and mobile devices and how we use them. We need to educate ourselves about safe computing and learn how to keep our computers safe from malware, spyware, hackers, and identity thieves. 

How to Keep Your Computers Safe from Malware and Cyber Attacks:

There are many different types of malware and attacks that can cause problems with your computer. The most common is ransomware, which encrypts your data so you can’t open or use the files on your computer until you pay a ransom.

Here are a few ways you can keep your computers safe from malware and hacking attacks.

·        Use a strong password:

The easiest way to keep your computer secure is to use a strong password. A strong password is a combination of different numbers, letters, and symbols. There is a recommended password length for all of your accounts, and you should make sure it’s at least eight characters long.

This way, it will be more difficult for someone to hack into your account if they access your password.

·         Use antivirus software:

There are many different kinds of antivirus programs out there to help protect you against malware and hacking attacks. Some examples are Bitdefender, ESET, Avast, Norton, Panda, Kaspersky, and more.

If you have an Android device, you can download a mobile app that protects you from these kinds of attacks, like AVG Antivirus Mobile, Avast Mobile Security, or Norton Mobile Security.

·        Use a Firewall:

A firewall is a program that sits in between your computer and the Internet and helps prevent hackers from getting in. It blocks certain websites, programs, ports, or protocols.

In addition, firewalls can block viruses from entering your computer as well. Many home routers also provide this kind of protection for your network connection. You should make sure your router is using a strong password so no one else can access it.

·        Use a virtual private network (VPN):

Using a VPN is another way to help protect you from hacking attacks. When you connect to a VPN service, your data is encrypted, which means no one can see what you’re doing.

It’s like using a tunnel that prevents anyone from eavesdropping on you while you’re on the Internet. You’ll find that many popular websites now have secure versions so that you can be confident your data is safe.

It’s important to note that VPNs are not always free, and some people don’t like the idea of having a third party in between their computer and the Internet, but there are some excellent services out there to help keep you safe.

Some examples are Private Internet Access, Express VPN, and Tunnel Bear. Without a doubt, they are worth every penny!

·        Keep your software updated:

Software updates are another way to help protect your computers and your information from malware and hacking attacks. When using an antivirus program, it’s essential to keep it up-to-date with the latest virus definitions and patches.

You should also check to see any other important updates for your operating system or programs you’re using.

Finally, if you’re using Google Chrome, Firefox, or Internet Explorer, you can download the free Google Chrome browser extension called “Google Chrome Safe Mode.” It will force Google Chrome to open in safe mode, which will help identify any malware or hacking attacks running on your computer. 

·        Enable “Two Factor Authentication”:

If someone tries to hack your account, they’ll need to know your password and your 2FA code, which is usually sent to your mobile via text message.

Two-factor authentication can also be helpful when you have an online banking system or when logging into a website.

For example, if you go to a bank website to log in, you’ll need to enter your username and password, but then you’ll also be prompted for your 2FA code. This will be delivered as a text message to your mobile.

It’s effortless to set up two-factor authentication in most online banking systems, so make sure you do that.

·        Don’t share your username or password with anyone:

If you receive an email asking you to fill out a form with your personal information, such as your address, username, or password, it’s probably a scam.

These scams can look really convincing, but they’ll usually ask you to pay for something or provide your bank account number so they can steal money.

Never open any links in emails, text messages, or other types of communication, as these might be trying to trick you.

The world has become a very dangerous place for cyber-security, which is why it’s crucial to protect yourself and your information online. National Computer Security Day reminds us to be cautious when using Internet-connected devices and be mindful of our online security.

We hope this article helps you stay safe online, and we wish you all a great day!

Dates of National Computer Security Day:

Year	Day	Date
2022	Wednesday	November 30
2023	Thursday	November 30
2024	Saturday	November 30
2025	Sunday	November 30
2026	Monday	November 30
2027	Tuesday	November 30
2028	Thursday	November 30
2029	Friday	November 30
2030	Saturday	November 30
2031	Sunday	November 30