Celebrate Safer Internet Day

Celebrate Safer Internet Day

Safer Internet Day is an awareness-raising campaign that started in Europe more than a decade ago. Hosted by ConnectSafely.org, Safer Internet Day gained official recognition in the US in late 2012, with a joint agreement between the Department of Homeland Security and the European Commission to work together to build a better Internet for young people. Now, it is celebrated in more than 100 countries worldwide.

The theme for this year’s Safer Internet Day celebration is “Be the change: Unite for a better Internet.” Organizers are looking for people to post about positive social actions online—whether it’s a random act of kindness or a full-on flash mob. Here are some ways you can participate:

  1. Join the Safer Internet Day live stream in Philadelphia at 9:30 a.m. EST to watch youth leaders, educators, policy makers, Internet safety experts, and tech executives discuss ways to make the Internet a better place.
  2. Join Malwarebytes researchers for a live Twitter chat today from 11:00 to 11:30 a.m. PT for tips on Internet safety. Be sure to follow @Malwarebytes and use the hashtag #AskMBL to submit questions.
  3. Share good deeds on social media—what’s one good thing you’ve done for the Internet or the world (with the Internet’s help)? Use the hashtags #SaferInternetDay and #SID2017.
  4. Use lesson plans developed by ConnectSafely for elementary and middle school classrooms to talk about what it means to be a responsible digital citizen.
  5. Follow @connectsafely on Twitter or like their Facebook page to keep up with the latest news on Safer Internet Day.

In the meantime, bone up on security basics to stay safe online today—and every day. Here are a few starter articles that can help you remain malware-free in 2017.

How to tell if you’re infected with malware

10 easy steps to clean your infected computer

10 easy ways to prevent malware infection

Now get out there and be safe!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Wendy Zamora

Editor-at-Large, Malwarebytes Labs

Wordsmith. Card-carrying journalist. Lover of meatballs.