Cyber Security information for Canadians
Why cyber security is an issue for Canadians
If you don’t take steps to protect yourself online you could become the victim of identity theft. Identity theft occurs when criminals wrongfully obtain and use your identifying information for fraud or other criminal activity. You could also be the victim of an online scam in which criminals fraudulently try to obtain your money.
While many Canadians feel vulnerable to online security problems, most still engage in high risk activities such as opening email from unknown sources. The majority of Canadians do not take all necessary measures to protect the security of their personal information on their computers. “Cyber Security practices in Canada”- Decima Research
Steps you can take to enhance your cyber security
Protect yourself and others by taking some simple precautions. Read the tips provided here and put them into practice so you can stay safe online.
Protect your computer, your information, your family and yourself
Report online crimes
Reporting Economic Crime Online (RECOL) provides support for education, prevention and awareness of economic crime. RECOL directs legitimate fraud complaints to the appropriate law enforcement and regulatory agencies. The data collected is a valuable tool in evaluating the effects of various types of fraud on the public. It also helps to prevent future similar crimes from taking place.
Cybertip.ca is Canada’s national tip-line for reporting online sexual exploitation of children. Cybertip.ca accepts and addresses online and telephone reports from the public regarding:
- Child pornography (child abuse images and material)
- Online luring
- Child exploitation through prostitution
- Travelling to sexually exploit children
- Child trafficking
All reports of activities that are in contravention of the Criminal Code (Canada) are sent to police for possible investigation.
Steps that the Government is taking to enhance cyber security
The Government of Canada takes cyber security very seriously and is taking action to protect Canadians, including:
- introducing changes to the Criminal Code to better prosecute those who steal identities or send SPAM, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police are working nationally to enhance the capability of law enforcement to investigate cyber crime.
- supporting the CyberTip.ca national tip-line, which has received and analyzed almost 30,000 tips about potential cases of online child exploitation since September 2002.
- creating the Canadian Cyber Incident Response Centre, which is responsible for monitoring cyber threats and coordinating the federal response to cyber incidents.
- working with industry and other governments to protect critical infrastructure essential to the health, safety, security and economic well-being of Canadians against all hazards, from natural hazards to cyber incidents.
The Government of Canada also works closely with domestic and international partners as part of the global effort to combat cyber crime and protect critical assets and information. To strengthen these efforts, the Government of Canada is developing a National Cyber Security Strategy to enhance overall cyber security in Canada.
Resources
The following websites provide additional information about cyber security, the nature of threats, and how to protect yourself.