National Cyber Security Awareness Month

National Cyber Security Awareness Month takes place in October every year and talks about the importance of security on the Internet. The World Wide Web has become an integral part of our lives; it is hard to imagine a day without social networks, news, photos, and online communication. Fifty years ago, cybersecurity did not exist yet, but its relevance is only increasing.

History

National Cyber Security Awareness Month was founded in 2004 by several American organizations (CISA and NCSA). In that year, the world began to realize the serious threat of cybersecurity, as hackers started to penetrate various resources and engage in illegal activities. This is still a problem today. Initially, the holiday had a specific theme – “Our Common Responsibility” – but over the years, new issues have come to the forefront, such as extortion, phishing, and data breaches. In 2019, it was estimated that over 5 billion accounts were stolen! Every year, new methods of scamming are developed, and organizations are working hard to stay ahead of the curve. While ordinary people may not know all the nuances of cybersecurity, they should be familiar with basic rules and methods of protection.

Interesting facts

• Cybercrime losses totaled $6 trillion in 2021.
• In 2022, there were approximately 6 million attackers.
• Some hackers do not try to steal personal information; instead, they hack to find software weaknesses and pass them on to developers.
• North Korea is the only country where the Internet is available only to high-profile individuals.

How to take part

How to spend this month is up to you! We recommend changing old passwords on all accounts (they should not be repeated), getting a good antivirus and scanning your computer, phone, netbook, etc. Learn the usefulness of two-factor authentication, learn to detect suspicious emails, and do not follow unverified links.

When is National Cyber Security Awareness Month in 2023?

National Cyber Security Awareness Month is observed on October 1 each year.

Observations