At Coruña British International School we care about the physical, emotional and virtual safety of our students. That is why today, we have asked a computer scientist, who prefers to remain anonymous, for some cybersecurity advice for children.

First cybersecurity tip for children: 192.168.1.1.

The first cybersecurity tip for a household with children is to know a few basics. Our anonymous computer scientist talks about "there's no place like 192.168.1.1. Trust me, setting up your Amazon or Netflix account is a lot more complicated than changing the basic settings on your router. And it's vital. And don't panic, it has a reset button to leave it as it was, in case... you make a mistake.

To access this space, all you have to do is enter this address by accessing the epicentre of our home connections: the router, which she calls "the boss, the one that controls, the one that allows or prohibits what happens in our network, with a user-friendly interface". It is common that, once fibre is installed in our home, we leave everything as it has been configured for us. We trust the internet provider and the equipment. And while it is true that more and more security measures are being adopted by individuals and companies in the communications world to protect the user, it is of little use if we don't do our part.

 

Second cybersecurity tip: your WiFi password

For example, change the password on your WiFi network. "The equipment comes with some data from the factory. A username and password, both to access the router and to access the WiFi network. If you turn your router upside down, you will see a sticker with the above mentioned data. Both can and should be changed," insists the IT specialist.  "Why? What does it matter if someone steals my WiFi? I have plenty of speed... I've heard said not so long ago. Maybe it used to be like that, but nowadays, if someone breaks into your network, it's probably not to have an internet connection but to see what's going on in your house, where you connect, what devices you have, hunt down your username and password for some sites you visit, access your contacts, propagate amongst them... and a very long etcetera".

On your WiFi network you have your TV, computers, tablets, mobiles, the printer, the fridge, Do you have smart bulbs or sockets, any assistants? It's a wonder, that everything works so synchronised..., just the way you like it. And the cybercriminal too. And what interest does he have in my fridge? I once saw somebody, along a whole street, testing the doors of all the cars that were parked at an astonishing speed. He wasn't looking at the model, he wasn't even looking at the car, he was just trying his luck in case one of them was open. On "the internet street" the same thing happens. There are programs that also go looking for open or easily accessible doors.

Our computer scientist and cybersecurity expert gives us a number of examples. "Let's imagine that you log on. And it sees the devices that are connected. And he can access your TV settings. And he can turn the volume up to 100% at midnight, or transmit a picture or film of very low moral quality when your young children are watching it. Change the password.

 

Third cybersecurity tip for children: change the name of the network.

But you already have one! Yes, the one that comes from the factory. Your network is called, for example, "MOVISTAR_AF40", or "VODAFONE_BA3040". Deep in the network, your provider's factory passwords may have been leaked. It is only a matter of time before they are found, apart from dozens of other means of gaining access to a network. "Change the name of your network. Choose a strong password. This goes for everything, with lower case, upper case, numbers and special characters, and the longer the better. Yeah right, and I'm going to remember it later, how lazy I am. Two good examples:

 

#ElPerroDeSanRoqueNoTieneRaboBecauseRamonRamirezSeloHaCortadoEn2022".

VivirAsiEn1989EsMorirDeAmorPorAmorTengoElAlmaHeridaPorAmorNoQuieroMasVidaQueSuVida#.

 

Maybe your router, or any application, won't let you save such a long password, or it might. If you find having two passwords, 67 and 84 characters respectively, with uppercase, lowercase, numbers and special characters... is hard to remember them, use a password manager: with it you won't have to enter them every time and, moreover, it can generate new passwords for you.

Although, to be honest, passwords are "almost out of fashion", it is better to use other methods, as the expert explains: "such as security keys or biometric data where possible, more convenient and more secure, or using the fingerprint on your device, or using passwords together with the famous second authentication factor. More common are authenticator applications: when you want to log in to any of the accounts you have synchronised, you must approve the login by a notification received on your mobile in order to gain access. This way, even if they know your account details, they cannot log in without confirmation from your mobile device.

 

Fourth cybersecurity tip: read before agreeing

Wherever you sign up, check the "security" or similar section in your account settings and see what options you are offered for logging in. They are getting better and better.

 

Fifth cybersecurity tip: anti-virus

"Antivirus. Update. Update again. I don't think it is necessary to comment on the need to have an antivirus. And yes, on any operating system, including MAC. And yes, on the mobile too. And the most important thing: always have it updated. Oh, this month my computer has only been updated two hundred and fifty thousand times ... And that’s great, you must have automatic updates on all your devices. An up-to-date device, with the latest version of its software available, especially if it's security software, will always be much, much better protected against the threats that appear almost every day. We are very aware of all the updates about vaccination. It's the same with our devices and for the same reason. You should celebrate every 'Security Update Available'.

Finally, our consulted expert offers us an open window. "If you are interested in this topic of cybersecurity for children and adults, visit the INCIBE website (good for you if you have checked the link before.) They have tips, videos and a free phone number at your disposal for issues related to cybersecurity.