Computer Security Day

Technological advances today make it possible to use various electronic devices. As a result, a significant part of our lives takes place in an online environment. However, with these advances come risks, particularly in terms of data protection and privacy. Cybersecurity Day, which is celebrated annually on 30 November, was therefore created to promote the spread of digital security.

How Cybersecurity Day came about

The need to protect computers was already being discussed when they started to be gradually integrated into the work process and people’s lives. Computer Security Day was founded in 1988 by the Association for Computer Security. It was prompted by hacker attacks targeting computers over the ARPANET, the predecessor of the Internet at the time. One case was the discovery of a virus hiding in the computer systems of researchers at Cornell University. Gradually, this led to efforts to strengthen cybersecurity, and in 2003 the National Cyber Awareness System was established. This day is meant to alert all computer users that security is not a given.

Why this day is more relevant than ever

Today, the meaning of this day is much more relevant as almost everything has moved online, both professionally and privately. Modern technology is more advanced and secure, and there are now multiples of cyber attacks. The targets of hackers are targeting both government bodies and ordinary people. There are massive password leaks, fraudulent emails and SMS, etc. Cybersecurity Day thus highlights that everyone should take care to protect their data.

How to check your digital security on this day

On Cyber Security Day, you should focus on checking the security of your computer. One of the most important things is a very strong or unique password. It is recommended to combine upper and lower case letters with symbols. Such passwords are more difficult to crack. Despite this, many people use simple and predictable passwords such as “123456” or “password”.

If possible, turn on two-factor authentication, the most common methods are SMS or the Authenticator app. At the same time, don’t forget to update your device, as outdated software is one of the most common causes of attacks. Since you’re connecting to an internet network using Wi-Fi, make sure your network is secure. However, a lot of attacks are currently targeting mobile phones, as they are the extended arm of people and are used for almost all tasks.

Computer security in numbers

Over15 million cyber incidents were recorded globally in 2024. Some 94% of companies even reported that they were the target of a phishing attack. The cost spent on cybercrime is increasing, and could even be as high as $10.5 trillion per year in the coming years .

It is clear that cybersecurity threats are increasing, which is why people should focus more on online security. For this reason, it is essential to regularly repeat the necessary steps to keep your devices safe from the attention of hackers. Remember that educating yourself on online security can save your skin.