PRoject ICT

1. The Internet and The Digital
Security

2. The Internet
The Internet is an increasingly important part of everyday life
for people around the world.
What is the Internet?
The Internet is a global network of billions of computers and
other electronic devices. With the Internet, it's possible to
access almost any information, communicate with anyone
else in the world, and do much more.
You can do all of this by connecting a computer to the
Internet, which is also called going online. When someone
says a computer is online, it's just another way of saying it's
connected to the Internet.

3. The Evolution of the Internet
The Internet originated as ARPANET in Septemper 1969.
2 MAIN GOALS
To allow scientist at different physical
locations to share information and
work together.
Function even of part of the network
were dosabled or destroyed by a
disaster.

5. Connecting to the Internet
With wired connections, a computer
device physically attaches via a cable
or wire via a communication device
Computers without communication
device can use a wireless modem.

8. What is the Web?
The World Wide Web—usually called the Web for
short—is a collection of different websites you can
access through the Internet. A website is made up of
related text, images, and other resources. Websites can
resemble other forms of media—like newspaper articles
or television programs—or they can be interactive in a
way that's unique to computers.
The purpose of a website can be almost anything: a
news platform, an advertisement, an online library, a
forum for sharing images, or an educational site like us!

11. How does the Internet work?
At this point you may be wondering, how does the Internet
work? The exact answer is pretty complicated and would take
a while to explain. Instead, let's look at some of the most
important things you should know.
It's important to realize that the Internet is a global network of
physical cables, which can include copper telephone wires, TV
cables, and fiber optic cables. Even wireless connections like
Wi-Fi and 3G/4G rely on these physical cables to access the
Internet

12. Things you can do on the Internet
One of the best features of the Internet is the ability to communicate
almost instantly with anyone in the world. Email is one of the oldest and
most universal ways to communicate and share information on the
Internet, and billions of people use it. Social media allows people to
connect in a variety of ways and build communities online.
There are many other things you can do on the
Internet. There are thousands of ways to keep up with
news or shop for anything online. You can pay your
bills, manage your bank accounts, meet new
people, watch TV, or learn new skills. You can learn or
do almost anything online.

14. Digital Safety and Security

15. There is an aspect of our digital lives that often goes ignored: Security and safety
We log on to our computers, browse the internet on our mobiles, click on links,
read/send emails, transfer files, part with personal data and publish sensitive content
daily.
But rarely do we question the safety of what we are doing. We don't think about the
potential dangers. As users of technology and internet-connected devices, we often
neglect our digital wellbeing and proceed without protection.

22. If you have never been a
victim of a cyber-attack, the
following tips will likely be new
to you. (If you have
unfortunately experienced a
cyber-attack, then you may
have conducted some of
them.)
Nonetheless, these twelve
digital safety and security tips
apply to anyone working with
digital devices or using digital
devices to complete tasks at
home. They are to help you
stay protected online

23. 1. USE A (RELIABLE) ANTIVIRUS SOFTWARE
Threats can be found at every corner of the internet. Worms, trojans, ransomware and other
malicious and potentially unwanted programs are some of the most common that can be blocked
with an effective antivirus software package. You will most likely already have a subscription to an
antivirus package, but has the package expired or is the package adequate for your digital needs?
Make sure your devices (including mobile devices) are protected with a reliable antivirus software
package. IT departments will have organisation-wide antivirus packages, but the smaller
organisations sometimes require the users of devices to fend for themselves. It is likely that this is
already covered but be sure to double-check. Do not fall at the first security hurdle.
2. TAKE FURTHER SAFETY PRECAUTIONS VIA THIRD-PARTY SOFTWARE
Antivirus packages do a great job at protecting users whilst browsing the internet, but they do not
provide full protection from cyber threats. Browsing safely is becoming more and more difficult as
the threats become more sophisticated.
Consider using other third-party software such as a firewall to monitor and control incoming and
outgoing network traffic as well as a utility cleaner to clean potentially unwanted files. Browser
extensions, such as Adblocker Plus (that blocks potentially harmful and intrusive downloads and
tracking pixels) and Https Everywhere (that automatically switches thousands of sites from
insecure "HTTP" to secure "HTTPS) also help you to stay safe whilst browsing.

24. 3. BACK UP YOUR WORK (MULTIPLE TIMES IF POSSIBLE)
Possibly the easiest precaution we could take to ensure that our valuable files are not lost in
the event of a security breach or software/hardware failure. In the event of a serious
incident, if backups of files are made, the organisation, department or system can be
restored to its original state before the breach.
A backup strategy involves keeping multiple copies of your files, either locally on another
device or using a cloud-based back-up service away from the site of the organisation or
workplace. Many organisations will keep three copies of files, using both of the above
backup methods. However, and although services can be attainted that backup files
automatically when programmed, backing up in two other locations may be excessive if you
are not backing up at all. Start with a cloud-based provider and schedule backups to happen
on a daily or weekly occurrence.
4. ENCRYPT EXTERNAL HARD DRIVES AND PASSWORD-PROTECT KEY FILES
Many of us travel from location to location or work in various locations that requires a
commute. As we do so, we carry with us external hard drives that store our work and
working progress files. If those hard drives are lost along the commute, in most cases,
accessing that hard drive is quick and easy. Which in the wrong hands is not good news.
Depending on the size and complexity of the hard drive, there are several ways to lock
down the hard drive to prevent such unauthorised access.
Some hard drives have encryption options that include passwords or even a fingerprint
scanner for access. The files themselves can also be password protected as a further layer

25. 5. DO NOT DUPLICATE PASSWORDS ACROSS ACCOUNTS
We are all sometimes guilty of this. As previously mentioned, we rely on more and more third-party
cloud-based services for our daily tasks which require us to log in with a username and password.
Often, the username doesn’t change from our email address, and often – where we will put our
accounts at risk – our passwords also do not change per account or service. By not using different
passwords in this way we are putting our accounts at risk, should an account with the same (or similar)
password become compromised.
It is highly recommended that you vary the passwords you have on your various accounts. We
appreciate that this is probably a high number, but by using a secure password manager complex and
random passwords can be automatically created for you that inputs them when prompted. The Google
Chrome browser includes a built-in password manager that provides this service.
6. SET UP A GUEST WI-FI NETWORK
If you or your organisation welcomes a high number of visitors and guests – who are also likely to want
to use your Wi-Fi – it is worth considering setting up a guest Wi-Fi network, keeping visitors away from
your main network. Keeping visitors away from your main network will reduce the risk of malware
spreading to this critical network, should your visitors unknowingly carry threats and unexpectedly
transferring the threats across the network.
If you work from home often, and share that network with your family, or even have a large number of
guests that also wish to connect to your Wi-Fi, it may also be relevant to set up a home guest Wi-Fi
network as a precaution.

26. 7. …AND BE CAUTIOUS WHEN USING OTHERS’ PUBLIC WI-FI NETWORKS
Just as you will want to avoid users of your network spreading malicious and harmful malware threats, you will
also want to avoid the networks themselves spreading malware to the users, certainly within a public network.
Access public Wi-Fi networks as a guest (and part with personal data to access these networks) with caution.
Aim to only use legitimate public networks when doing so.
If your organisation offers VPN (virtual private network) access, opt to use this every time instead of connecting
to a public network. If any of your organisation’s employees are working remotely, this is a serious consideration
if you do not have such network already. The users of public networks are not vetted, meaning that anyone –
including hackers – can access them.
8. SOCIAL MEDIA CAN BE A DANGEROUS PLACE… ALSO, USE WITH CAUTION
Social media platforms have become a breeding ground for all sorts of cyber threats and crime. They attract a
large number of users – with a Digital 2019 report stating that leading social media platform Facebook boasts
2.3billion monthly users – who also part with data and information, making it highly attractive for hackers.
It is therefore advised that social media platforms be used with caution (and scarcely, if possible). Be aware that
your every movement – every click, comment and scroll – is being recorded and used by the platforms. Also, be
aware of the sheer amount of fraudulent accounts that exist on the platforms that can publish paid posts that
can appear on your feeds for you to also interact with.

27. 9. DO NOT SHARE PERSONAL DATA UNLESS YOU HAVE TO
Social media platforms, as well as other websites and services, require your data to complete a transaction,
use a platform or access materials. In the digital age, data has sometimes become the currency (instead of
real currency) meaning that it is impossible not to have to share personal data such as names, addresses,
telephone numbers etc. But you do not always have to share specific data.
There are times where you can still access particular services without giving your full name, main email
address, amongst other details. Get into the habit of providing minimal information when parting with any form
of data. Also, be aware that your every movement on all web pages are recorded (along with your location by
via your IP address) and the websites themselves, especially if the website requires signing in. Can you
browse in private mode?
10. DO NOT SHARE PERSONAL INFORMATION UNLESS YOU REALLY HAVE TO
Sharing data to access platforms is only part of the risk users take when accessing third-party websites and
platforms. What users do on those platforms next is the next risk. Back to Facebook. Users use the social
media platform to willingly (albeit with a nudge from the platform) update profiles with information on birthdays,
hometown, employment, associations, friends, family and all activity which includes posting photos, comments
and likes. If any of this is sensitive, avoid sharing in the first place.
Have you ever used Facebook to sign in to other apps and services? Here is another example of how the
social media platform collects information from you (from those other apps and services) without you even
visiting a page on their site. (Disclaimer: We use Facebook and do not have a vendetta against the platform,
we are just aware that it is primarily a data organisation that does little to inform its users on the data it, just

28. 11. DELETE SUSPICIOUS EMAILS
Like social media platforms, email has also become a breeding ground for hackers and malicious
practices ever since the first-ever spam email was sent in 1978. Although email scams might have
slowed down in recent years (due to the sheer number of emails that are generally ignored within
email inboxes) email inboxes are still not a safe haven. Be cautious about what you open and click.
Emails sent from suspicious senders and addresses should be deleted immediately – this is the same
for emails that contain dubious-looking subject lines. If you do decide to open such email, hover over
every link within those emails (if you are interested in the link) to determine the structure of the URL
and to assess any dangers within that email. Attachments sent from outside of your network should
also be opened with similar caution.
12. KEEP YOUR SYSTEMS CURRENT
Finally, always keep your systems updated with the latest software. Many of the devices you use will
prompt you that an update is ready – do not delay this update. Your software, apps and antivirus will
all need updating regularly and it is all too easy to keep hitting the “update later” option. Updates
often address a current issue within the software, so be sure to update right away or those threats will
find their way into your devices.

29. The tips in this article help you:
•Become more cautious online.
•Prevent malicious cyber-attacks.
•Protect sensitive personal and professional data.
•Block illegal access to networks.
•Remove existing threats from your network.
So...
Consider implementing these tips. Lock up your computer every time you
leave your desk, do not click on anything which looks suspicious and
understand your organisation’s IT infrastructure. Test your current environment
against the tips to see how digitally safe you, your department and
organisation are. If there are any potential weaknesses or further potential
issues, enrol onto a digital safety training course to learn more.