As part of its initiatives for Cybersecurity Awareness Month, the Genius IT Foundation has taken proactive steps to promote the culture of digital safety and emphasize the importance of staying vigilant in today’s digital age. On October 29, 2023, Mr. Prince Selorm Agordah, the Programs Director of the Genius IT Foundation, addressed the congregation of the Global Evangelical Church in Ho-Fiave. His insightful session covered general knowledge of cybersecurity and offered valuable tips to stay safe online.
In an age where technology has seamlessly woven itself into the fabric of our daily routines, Mr. Agordah emphasized the critical need for security. From mobile phones to online banking, we engage with technology in various ways each day. Our transactions, whether manually triggered or digitally initiated, increasingly occur in the digital realm. Hence, safeguarding our valuable information and assets is of paramount importance, and this is where the domain of cybersecurity becomes vital.
Mr. Agordah focused on several key areas, beginning with mobile money (MoMo) services, a widely used platform for financial transactions. He urged caution when using MoMo, emphasizing the importance of verifying recipient details before sending money. Avoiding the sharing of PINs and transaction details with anyone was another crucial aspect, coupled with the warning that mobile money providers would never request your PIN. Therefore, it’s imperative to exercise caution if such requests are made.
Considering the vulnerability of children in this digital era, he acknowledged the need to strike a balance between allowing exploration and ensuring their online safety. Parental control tools were proposed as an effective solution to supervise children’s online activities, set time limits, and restrict access to age-inappropriate content. The focus remained on nurturing responsible technology use rather than stifling their exploration.
Moreover, Mr. Agordah provided basic cybersecurity tips to help individuals stay safe online. These included:
- Strong, Unique Passwords: The use of robust, one-of-a-kind passwords to secure online accounts.
- Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Encouragement to enable 2FA for added security.
- Beware of Phishing: Caution against unsolicited requests for personal information or credentials.
- Secure Wi-Fi Connection: Avoidance of public Wi-Fi networks for sensitive transactions.
- Regular Software Updates: The importance of keeping operating systems and software up to date.
- Online Shopping Safety: A reminder to shop only from reputable websites and to check for secure connections.
- Social Media Privacy: Advocacy for reviewing privacy settings on social media platforms and exercising caution when accepting friend requests.
- Data Backup: The necessity of regular data backup to avoid loss in case of cyberattacks or data loss.
- Cybersecurity Education: Encouragement to stay informed about the latest cybersecurity threats and best practices.
- Educate Your Children: The importance of teaching children about online safety and guiding them in responsible technology use.
In conclusion, Mr. Agordah underscored the central role of cybersecurity in our daily lives, whether securing financial transactions, educating children on responsible technology use, or maintaining caution in our digital interactions. He called upon everyone to adopt these simple steps, fostering a safer digital world. A safer digital landscape begins with individual responsibility and awareness.
