European Cybersecurity Month (ECSM): Connecting Europe Facility projects advise on how to protect ourselves from online scams

European Cybersecurity Month (ECSM) focuses on raising awareness around cybersecurity threats and provides information on how to protect ourselves if we fall victim of a cyber-attack. Besides working from home, this past period has also seen an increase in online activity, as many citizens have turned to online shopping. Therefore, citizens are required to share their personal data and bank account information to be able to shop online. But how to know if these websites are trustworthy and all payments are secure?

Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) programme has been funding projects aiming to ensure a safe digital environment, through promotion of online safety, boosting of digital skills and cybersecurity.

This week, HaDEA presents two EU-funded projects under CEF that help citizens check if they are adopting the safest practices for online shopping and communication in order to avoid online scams:

• The Portuguese Computer Security Incident Response Team (CERT.PT) is raising public awareness on cybersecurity via eLearning and social media. Among others, you can learn tips for identifying if an online shopping website is safe and obtain information on the rights of EU customers.
• The Safer Internet Centre in Estonia developed a video on the importance of critical thinking and the risks and threats encountered while communicating online. The video uses the method of shadow theatre and has a powerful message, advising not to provide personal information easily. Check out the video “Avoid Scam - Behave Smartly Online”.

In case you missed them, here are our latest articles in the context of the European Cybersecurity Month:

• Cybersecurity and digital skills
• Cybersecurity at home