What is Cybersecurity?
In today’s digital world, cybersecurity isn’t just for tech experts — it’s for everyone. Whether you’re sending a WhatsApp message, shopping online, or streaming your favourite TV show, cybersecurity is present in every interaction with technology. It is about protecting our personal information and devices from online threats.
It begins with the small things. Imagine you’re using mobile banking to send money or check your balance. If you use a strong password or activate two-factor authentication (where the app asks for a code sent to your phone), you’re engaging in everyday cybersecurity. When you think twice before clicking on suspicious links or downloading unknown apps, you’re making a decision that protects your data from hackers or fraudsters.
For many of us, cybersecurity plays a role in using social media. Have you ever received a strange message or a friend request from someone pretending to be a friend? Cybersecurity means recognising and ignoring these attempts to get personal data by perpetrators who masquerade as legitimate business or people otherwise known as phishing attempts. It also involves ensuring your social media profiles are private, and not oversharing information that could be used against you, such as your location or personal details.
How do you improve Cybersecurity?
Cybersecurity is integrated into almost every aspect of our daily technology use, even when we don’t realise it. For instance, when you connect to Wi-Fi at a café, have you ever considered whether it’s a secure connection? Using unsecured public Wi-Fi can make it easier for hackers to access your device. A simple way to improve your cybersecurity is by avoiding these networks or using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to encrypt your connection.
If you use apps for everything from ride-hailing services to paying bills, cybersecurity plays a role in ensuring those apps are safe and up-to-date. Companies regularly update apps to fix bugs and strengthen security, so when you update your apps, you’re protecting yourself.
Using passwords is another everyday aspect of cybersecurity. Most of us have multiple online accounts — email, social media, banking — so it’s important to use strong, unique passwords for each account. If you use the same password everywhere, it’s like having one key for all your locks — if someone gets that key, they can unlock everything. Password managers can help by creating and storing secure passwords for each account, without you needing to remember them all.
Why Is Cybersecurity Important to You?
For African users, cybersecurity is more than just a technology issue — it’s about protecting our livelihoods, personal relationships, and even our futures. Think about your phone. It’s not just a tool for communication, but also for managing your finances, accessing healthcare services, or conducting business. If your phone or data is hacked, it could cause major disruptions to your life.
At a time when many Africans are going online for work, education, or entrepreneurship, cybersecurity means safeguarding these opportunities. Losing access to your accounts because of a cyberattack could mean missing out on work, education, or money.
Cybersecurity also protects your personal privacy. Many of us store sensitive data online, from financial details to personal photos and messages. Imagine if someone gained unauthorised access to that information — it could lead to identity theft, blackmail, or emotional distress.
As netizens, we also need to understand the importance of cybersecurity on a broader level — our communities and economies depend on secure digital systems. From elections to online banking, protecting our digital infrastructures ensures we can trust the systems we use every day.
In conclusion, In Africa, where technology plays a crucial role in our lives, cybersecurity is vital for our personal security and future success. Everyday cybersecurity is about taking simple but effective steps to protect your devices, data, and privacy. It’s part of how we use technology in our daily lives. By being more aware and taking action — using strong passwords, keeping software updated, avoiding phishing, and securing your online accounts — you can protect yourself from online threats.
Author: Tricia Gloria Nabaye, Pollicy
