GENERAL
Support
Like many countries across Africa and globally, Nigeria is currently experiencing a surge in digital transformation. Many activities are now migrating to the internet as new technologies emerge. Nigeria's cyberspace has become a centre stage for new business innovations, government functions and social interactions. This has created opportunity for our country, but there as also new risks. Cybercrime is on the rise and can impact anyone who uses the internet. There are however many ways you can protect yourself and those you care about online. By simply taking the following simple steps you can ensure you make the most of your time online.
SIX STEPS TO STAY SAFE
There are six simple steps that you can take to keep yourself safe online. If you want more information, click on the buttons at the bottom of this page:
1 - CHANGE DEFAULT PASSWORDS
New devices often come with default passwords, such as Password or 123456, installed on them. It is essential that these are immediately changed to something much more secure. Ideally, a separate password should be used for email accounts than for your other accounts e.g. social media.
2 - SWITCH ON PASSWORD PROTECTION
The majority of devices offer some form of password protection. But frequently this is not enabled when the device is delivered. Ensure this option is enabled – it may be a PIN, a screenlock password, a face or fingerprint recognition, but any of these will offer significant security benefits.
3 - SOFTWARE UPDATES AND ANTI VIRUS
Anti-virus software should be enabled on all machines. Most of the time it comes already loaded onto the device. But you must make sure the option to use it is turned on.
Make sure that all your devices have enabled ‘auto-update’ for the software updates (aka patches) provided by the software developers.
4 – DO NOT CLICK ON SUSPICIOUS LINKS IN EMAILS OR MESSAGES
If you receive an unexpected email or an invitation to click on a link you have not requested or seen before, always consider if it could be fake and therefore potentially damaging to your cyber security. If it is offering something that is ‘too good to be true’ then it probably isn’t genuine and should be deleted.
5 – BACK UP
Backing up your data means making a regular digital copy of all your electronic files. This could be financial records, personal photos, important documentation etc. Backing Up is a pretty simple process that means you can recover quickly in the event of your data being compromised, you can do this using any kind of external storage drive such as a USB stick, or to the Cloud.
6 – USE MULTI FACTOR AUTHENTICATION
IT service providers are increasingly offering something called Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), also known as 2-Factor Authentication (2FA). Basically, it means that you will need to take (normally) two separate actions in order to access your accounts. This sounds complicated and time-consuming, but it need not be, and it does add a very significant level of security.
Click the buttons below to download tools and guidance that haVE been developed TO HELP KEEP YOU SAFE ONLINE. Use this information to keep you safe from cybercrime.
This file contains some simple steps that you can take to protect yourself online.
This file contains advice that will help you
create strong passwords.
This file guidance will give you an introduction to pass phrases and how to use them.
This file information about the importance of software updated and anti virus.
This file contains information that will help you identify and avoid suspicious links.
This file contains information about the importance of backing up your files.
In this file you will learn about the importance of multi factor authentication.
This file contain information about portable device security and why it is important.
This is a link to the Nigeria's New Cybersecurity Policy and Strategy 2021.
