The city of Aurora is offering residents a free course in home internet security.
The eight-lesson course, which the city is offering in collaboration with KnowBe4, the world’s largest internet security awareness training platform, will give citizens the basics in staying secure online.
“It’s a user friendly tool, very interactive,” said Michael Pegues, the city’s chief information technology officer. “It will show what citizens need to do.”
Pegues and Mayor Richard Irvin spoke about the course at the recent press briefing the mayor holds every other week.
The course is in accordance with the city’s Technology Strategy Plan unveiled last month. The IT Department has a focus on cybersecurity, according to city officials.
“We have heightened our online security throughout the city and provide ongoing training for all employees,” Pegues said. “We are encouraging our families to take those same precautions and providing the tools to do so.”
The course is designed to assist all members of the family in making wise decisions when it comes to internet usage, city officials said. Using examples, the interactive videos show the dangers of the internet and what families need to do to stay safe, according to officials.
The eight lessons include: Passwords, Online Banking Security, Keeping Your Identity Safe, Avoiding Malware, Keeping Personal Information Confidential, Protecting Children Online, Securing Your Home Network and Email and Attachments Safety. Each section has a live demonstration showing how online criminals take advantage of unsuspecting users and concludes with a security quiz at the end, officials said.
To get started using the course, go to www.aurora-il.org/2020/Free-Home-Internet-Security-Course. Enter the password homecourse when prompted.
“One of our top priorities is public safety and that includes internet safety,” said Irvin. “We are providing this service so residents can keep their families safe.”