Staying Safe Online – Cybersecurity Awareness

Dear Families, 

October is Cyber Security Awareness Month, a national initiative that focuses on online safety. At the Durham Catholic District School Board, keeping our schools, students, staff, and families safe is a top priority.

We want to share an important reminder about online safety and a potential online threat to students and their devices. YouTube videos designed to attract student attention and distribute harmful malware are circulating online. These videos often promise free software or Roblox game cheats to increase views. You can read more in the following article: 3,000 YouTube Videos Exposed as Malware Traps in Massive Ghost Network Operation.

To help protect our students and school communities, please review and share these important safety tips with your child(ren):

• Do not download software or game cheats from unofficial sources.
• Report suspicious videos or links directly to YouTube.
• Ensure all devices have up-to-date antivirus protection.
• If students have any concerns, they should speak with their school immediately so that it can be reported to the board’s Information Communications Technology (ICT) department. 

Families are encouraged to have conversations with their children about online risks and why they should avoid downloading unofficial content. Families may wish to monitor device activity and review installed apps to ensure the online safety of their child. 

By following these steps, we can work together to stop the spread of harmful content and keep our community safe.

Families are encouraged to visit www.getcybersafe.gc.ca, a Government of Canada resource, for the latest cybersecurity tips, scam alerts, and best practices for protecting personal information.

Thank you for your continued partnership in keeping our students and schools safe online. 

Sincerely,
Durham Catholic District School Board