Why are kids targeted in hacking?

Cybersecurity for children can be a great step towards good parenting.

Kids prove to be an easy target for hackers. This is because they are incognizant and don’t know how to differentiate between the good and the bad. As a result, they can be easily manipulated and are made to fall into the trap laid by hackers or online attackers.

How are kids targeted?

Games, social media, video streaming sites are some of the ways children are targeted.

Games

Given the new digital era, kids have access to millions of games in their homes. In addition, all have access to games of vast numbers from devices such as mobiles, TVs, Computers, tablets, and laptops. 

Games can serve as a hotspot for cyberbullying, credit card theft & hackers.

Social media

Kids of this era are more active on social media than their old peers. With age, they can be easily trapped to click on malicious links or advertisements. They are being redirected to another page where their personal information is obtained and misused. 

Movies

Like games, movies & series are now gaining a trend in the online world due to their easy availability. 

Many online scam sites offer pirated movies to lure in unaware kids and give them critical information during sign-ups etc.

Must know cyber security activities for students and kids

• Strong Passwords
• Malicious Links
• Incautious
• Cyberbullies
• Predators

Strong Passwords

• A substantial password compromises numbers, letters, and special characters
• Don’t use obvious passwords and numbers
• Don’t use the same passwords across different websites

Malicious links

• Malicious links are generally depicted as the authentic one
• It redirects you to a page that might seem legitimate
• Once the user enters the details onto it, it is being obtained by the hacker
• He might sell the information for a ransom or threaten you for ransom

Incautious.

• Online predators are people who exploit children for the wrong purposes
• They try to gain the children’s confidence
• They use the children for sexual and other purposes
• Establishing good communication with children 

Cyberbullies

• Hacking into someone’s gaming or social networking profile.
• Abusive or hateful messages

Predators

• Online predators are people who exploit children for the wrong purposes
• They try to gain the children’s confidence
• They use the children for sexual and other purposes
• Establishing good communication with children

Parents also play an important role in safeguarding their kids from cyber threats. Cybersecurity for parents is a much-needed awareness in this digital era.

Looking to increase your knowledge in cybersecurity, read our other blogs for more info. Download this quick handbook released by homeland security