Lavasoft has been a supporter of National Cyber Security Awareness Month for several years by promoting online safety, security, and privacy awareness. Celebrated every October, NCSAM was created to ensure everyone has the resources required to stay safer online. In an effort to promote online safety and security, here are five posts to help you and your family stay safe online:

Cyberbullying: What Parents Need to Know

In April of this year Lavasoft released the results of its Cyberbullying and Online Safety Study. The study surveyed more than 200 students aged 10 to 18 on their experiences with cyberbullying and online safety habits. The study found that one in four students had been bullied or teased online in some way. 

Social Media for Parents: Instagram Privacy Tips

Instagram is a mobile photo and video-sharing social network aimed at teens who are 13+. Users upload pictures and short videos using the Instagram app and share them with the public. According to recent statistics, over 11 million of Instagram’s users are 17 years old or younger and that number is growing rapidly, making Instagram privacy a priority for parents.

Security Essentials for Online Gaming

Online gaming accounts are typically connected with the user’s credit card details to enable quick in-game purchases. As computer games typically consume a significant amount of resources, many gamers turn off their antivirus programs in order to play without any lags in speed or visual quality. This known vulnerability makes gamers additionally vulnerable to malware and phishing attacks. 

Social Media for Parents: Snapchat Privacy Tips

Snapchat is a photo and video sharing app. It has 100 million daily active users and approximately half of those users are in the 13 to 17 year age range, making Snapchat privacy important for parents. 

Facebook Introduces a New Security Checkup Tool

Facebook's Security Checkup tool highlights the social media site’s existing arsenal of security options, prompting users to address potential threats item-by-item. Combined with the previously released Privacy Checkup tool, the social network is attempting to force its billions of users to look under the hood of their Facebook account and ensure a greater level of access and privacy control.