Cyber Security information for Canadians
Why cyber security is an issue for Canadians
The Internet, computers and mobile devices are an integral part of our daily lives: from banking and making purchases using debit and credit cards to socializing and sharing personal information online.
Yet many Canadians do not take the proper precautions to protect personal information online, leaving themselves open to fraud, identity theft and serious financial loss.
Whether at home or at work, protecting our digital identity and the personal information we post online is becoming just as important as protecting our personal information offline.
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
Contact local police if you suspect a computer crime, identity theft or commercial scam.
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 investigation.
Steps that the Government is taking to enhance cyber security
The Government of Canada has taken a number of steps to enhance its own cyber security and to better protect Canadians from cyber crime and to protect them online.
The Government of Canada launched Canada's Cyber Security Strategy on October 3, 2010.
Canada's Cyber Security Strategy is our plan for meeting the cyber threat. It delivers on the Government's 2010 Speech from the Throne commitment to work with provinces, territories and the private sector to implement a cyber security strategy to protect our digital infrastructure. It leverages the partnerships being established under the National Strategy and Action Plan for Critical Infrastructure, and supports the ongoing efforts by our law enforcement community to work with partners and international allies in tracking down on those who use the Internet for crime and illegal activities.
Canada's Cyber Security Strategy is a cornerstone of our Government's commitment to keep Canada – including cyberspace – safe, secure and prosperous.
The Government of Canada takes cyber security very seriously and is taking action to protect Canadians, including:
- launching Canada's Cyber Security Strategy, Canada's plan for preventing, minimizing and addressing the impacts of cyber threats and incidents.
- 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.
Additional information about cyber security
The following websites provide additional information about cyber security, the nature of threats, and how to protect yourself.