INTERNET SAFETY MONTH: KEEPING OUR KIDS AND COMMUNITIES SAFE

Friday, June 21, 2024 at 6:19 AM

Keep individuals, families and organizations safe online

Jefferson County, Indiana (June 20, 2024) – During Internet Safety Month, we raise awareness about Internet safety and provide resources to keep individuals, families and organizations safe online.

In the ever-evolving digital age, remaining safe on the Internet involves a variety of issues in various forms. Internet safety can involve securing personal information, protecting against cyber attacks, and setting safeguards for our children. Families, businesses and institutions alike must consider how to keep themselves and their information safe online.

“Staying safe on the Internet has quickly become an issue that demands our attention," says Prosecutor David Sutter. “As a community, we must work together and take steps to protect all community members, including the most vulnerable, from attacks and schemes online.”

Between 2021 and 2023, the Identity Theft Resource Center found a 72% increase in online data breaches. To secure devices, individuals and organizations should lock all technology with a passcode, turn on ‘Find My Device’ features and set up recovery account information.

Additionally, the FBI found business email compromises accounted for $2.7 billion in losses in 2022. Organizations are encouraged to train employees on Internet and email security, frequently update passwords and consider using two-factor authentication on company devices.

In the home, parents should establish trust around device and app usage with children and maintain open communication to keep kids safe online. It is important to be vigilant of techniques kids or teens may use on phones that create additional security risks, especially in an age where children may know more about their devices than adults. Parents should encourage children to show and teach them new technology. By staying up to date, parents and guardians can effectively guide their children on how to best interact with people and features on the Internet.