This February 8 marks the International Safer Internet Day 2022, which aims to promote the safe, respectful and responsible use of digital technologies, especially in children, young people and the most vulnerable population. For this reason, the Government’s CSIRT together with Entel will launch tomorrow, February 8, a campaign through social networks that seeks to raise awareness among citizens on how to surf the Internet safely.

The celebration of the International Safer Internet Day was born more than 20 years ago as an initiative promoted by Insafe/Inhope, together with the support of the European Commission, to which currently more than 100 countries around the world have adhered to raise awareness about the importance of making the Internet a safer digital platform.

Using social networks, searching for information, communicating or having classes are some of the activities that can be done through the Internet, therefore, the security of digital information is as important as what one usually does on the computer, cell phone and other technological devices.

The Government CSIRT warns that “there are different threats that can affect children, youth and adults. Some of them are: Sextortion, which correspond to the blackmails that users receive about dissemination of personal content; Cyberbullying, which consists of constant harassment, bullying and humiliation through digital devices; Grooming, which refers to deception by adults to minors for purposes of creating emotional ties and to be able to abuse them sexually or obtain pornographic content, and finally and online challenges that invite children or adolescents to perform challenges that can endanger the life of the young person”.

Entel, a technology and telecommunications company, says: “We have seen how the use of mobile applications, online games and streaming have increased explosively in recent years, so we are emphatic in providing information to guide people regarding the use of the Internet and avoid a cyber-attack, scam or other virtual threat in time”.

The constant concern and commitment to educate and raise awareness about cyber risks motivated the Government’s CSIRT (Computer Security Incident Response Team) and Entel to join forces to commemorate another year of International Safer Internet Day. To this end, they worked together on a campaign on social networks with cyber-advice on how to surf the Internet safely, protect information on social networks and how to avoid falling into scams.

The recommendations provided by the Government’s CSIRT and Entel are:

To surf safely on social networks:

• Never publish personal data such as names, ID No. or others, as they can be used to decipher passwords or impersonate.
• Set your profile to private mode and accept only people you really know.
• Beware of sending photos or videos. Other people can access them and use them to extort or harass.

Surf safely considering:

• Block ads. Some pop-up windows may contain malicious links.
• Clear your web browser’s cache and cookies to limit data tracking.
• Always use antivirus and update it.

On every website or social network you register:

• Use strong and different passwords. If a password is leaked, not all services will be compromised.
• Log out every time you leave.
• Never save your bank card details or passwords.

When surfing the Internet:

• Avoid connecting to public networks, especially sites where you enter sensitive information.
• Change your passwords constantly and do not share them.
• Never leave your passwords on paper and in plain sight.
• Avoid entering your passwords or other sensitive data on banking websites, e-mail, etc. on other people’s computers.

To avoid scams:

• Be critical with the information you receive through emails, SMS or messages via WhatsApp.
• Always check the URL to confirm that it is the site you want to enter.
• If you don’t trust the website, never enter your personal data.
• If you think you have been phished, you can report it to the CSIRT by calling 1510 or writing to soc@interior.gob.cl.

In the constant effort to raise awareness on issues related to cybersecurity, the Government’s CSIRT has a series of recommendations on its website with different topics aimed at citizens. To access them you can go to the following link: https://www.csirt.gob.cl/recomendaciones/

In order to support and be part of the digital culture, Entel provides and constantly updates various content on its free and open platform www.entel.cl/ciudadano-digital, where you will find recommendations, tips and suggestions to guide the proper use of technology.