Young Adults (18 - 25 yo)

Cybersecurity for Young Adults

Young adults, specifically those aged 18 to 25, have distinct cybersecurity needs and concerns as they navigate the digital landscape. In this era of advanced connectivity, it becomes imperative for young adults to proactively address their online safety. By comprehending and adopting cybersecurity protocols, they can mitigate potential hazards and cultivate a resilient and secure digital environment.

Online Environment

Young adults need to be aware of cybersecurity risks and take steps to protect themselves online. This includes safeguarding their personal information, ensuring safe online experiences, protecting against cyber threats, and securing devices and networks.

Specifically, young adults should:

• Be cautious about sharing sensitive information online and be aware of the privacy settings on social media platforms.
• Be mindful of interacting with strangers online and avoid sharing personal details with individuals they don’t know. Recognize and report inappropriate content.
• Be familiar with common cyber threats such as phishing attempts and social engineering and learn how to identify them. Create strong passwords for their accounts, enable two-factor authentication, and regularly update their software and apps.
• Set up strong passwords for their devices, ensure that their Wi-Fi networks are secure, and keep their devices up to date with the latest security patches.

Protection Needs

Here are some key protection needs for young adults online:

• Privacy Protection: Young adults need to be aware of the importance of protecting their privacy online. This includes understanding how their online activities can be tracked and used, and taking steps to minimize their exposure. For example, they should use strong passwords and two-factor authentication and be careful about what information they share on social media.

• Data Security: Take steps to protect one's data from unauthorized access. This includes using encrypted messaging apps and services, and storing sensitive files in encrypted and password-protected containers. Additionally, there are many malicious links online that can include malware or ransomware. Do not click on links from an untrusted source. These links can always be double-checked by using link checker tools, such as URLVoid

• Social Engineering: Social engineering is a type of cyberattack that uses psychological manipulation to trick people into revealing confidential information or performing actions that could compromise their security. Social engineers use a variety of techniques, such as phishing emails, baiting attacks, quid pro quo attacks, and pretexting attacks. To protect yourself from social engineering attacks, be wary of unsolicited messages, don't click on links or open attachments unless you are sure they are safe, be careful about what information you share online, and be suspicious of anyone who asks for your personal information or access to your computer system.

• Location and Tracking: Young adults need to be aware of how their location can be tracked online and take steps to protect their privacy. This includes managing location-sharing settings on devices and apps, and being wary of location-based apps that might inadvertently reveal personal information.

• Online Dating and Relationships: Use reputable and secure dating apps and being cautious about sharing personal information. With the rise of AI and deepfakes, it is paramount that young adults are aware of these potential risks and that the person they are talking to can be images and videos of other individuals who look or sounds like they are saying or doing something they never actually said or did.

• Personal Cybersecurity Hygiene: Young adults need to practice good personal cybersecurity hygiene. This includes using strong and unique passwords, enabling two-factor authentication wherever possible, and keeping operating systems, apps, and security software up to date.