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In today's digital landscape, anyone can be targeted by cybercriminals . With so much of our lives now happening online, from social connections to schoolwork, having a robust cybersecurity plan is no longer optional -- it's essential.
Whether you're just starting to think about your family's online safety or looking for a refresher on best practices, cybersecurity is a marathon, not a sprint. We've put together this detailed guide to creating the best cybersecurity plan tailored to your family's needs.
Cybersecurity breaches can result in devastating consequences for families. A cyber attack could cost your family not only money but also an immense amount of time, feelings of insecurity and emotional stress. Protecting your family is about ensuring their safety and resilience in the digital age, and it's something that is difficult to do on your own without the right tools. Here are the sorts of threats you need to keep in mind:
Understanding these threats is the first step in building an effective cybersecurity strategy for your family.
The Australian Signals Directorate (ASD) has developed core mitigation strategies to help protect against cyberattacks. These include:
1. Patch Applications and Operating Systems: Regular updates help keep your devices secure.
2. Use Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Add an extra layer of security to your accounts.
3. Restrict Administrative Privileges: Limit who can make major changes to devices.
4. Back Up Data: Ensure important family documents and memories are safe.
If this list feels overwhelming, don't worry. Even simple steps, like using strong passwords and being cautious online, make a big difference.
1. Assess Your Risk
Start by identifying what needs protection. For families, this might include:
2. Implement Strong Access Controls
Restrict access to sensitive data based on roles and responsibilities within your family. Consider:
3. Secure Your Home Network
Your home network is the backbone of your family's cybersecurity. Protect it by:
4. Stay Up to Date
Outdated software and systems are prime targets for cyberattacks. Regularly update:
5. Educate Your Family
Human error is a leading cause of cybersecurity breaches. Conduct regular discussions to educate your family about:
A culture of awareness reduces the likelihood of accidental breaches. PCMag is a good place to start here, as we report on top level changes around security systems, trends, and high profile data breaches. For a curated collection of short articles focused on personal security, a great resource is the Norton 360 Blog.
6. Back Up Your Data
Frequent backups will help protect against data loss during ransomware attacks or hardware failures. For a simple memory device, follow the 3-2-1 Rule:
To be extra safe, ensure backups are encrypted and tested for recovery.
Helping safeguard your family requires a comprehensive cybersecurity plan and the right tools. A robust security suite, like Norton 360, helps provide real-time threat protection, a VPN, password management, dark web monitoring, and more. Such tools make managing your family's cybersecurity much easier.
For 2025, PCMag Australia recommends Norton 360 Premium. As a simple solution for 5 devices, Norton 360 Premium helps provide Real-Time Threat Protection, a Secure VPN, a Password Manager, Dark Web Monitoring, Cloud Backup for Windows PC, and more. Norton 360 Premium regularly performs well in our in-house lab testing, and comes from Norton - a 56 time winner of PCMag's Editors' Choice.
By assessing risks, using the best tools, educating your family, and staying informed, you can help protect your loved ones from evolving threats. Remember, cybersecurity is not a one-time effort but an ongoing commitment to digital safety. Information is king, and having the right software makes things much more manageable. For more information on Norton 360, check out their website, or our complete PCMag review of Editors Choice Winner Norton 360 Deluxe here.