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The Quad nations have launched the “Quad Cyber Challenge” in an effort to promote safe and responsible cyber habits within the broader online community.
Made up of Australia, India, Japan and the United States, the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue or Quad nations, is encouraging individuals and organisations based in the Indo-Pacific region to join the challenge, as part of its efforts to bolster the community’s cyber awareness and skills.
“We are inviting internet users across the Indo-Pacific and beyond to join the challenge and pledge to practice safe and responsible cyber habits,” said the White House in a statement.
“The challenge reflects our continuing Quad efforts to strengthen individuals’ and communities’ cyber security awareness and action, as well as to foster a more secure and resilient cyber ecosystem to benefit economies and users everywhere.”
Those who sign up for the challenge will gain access to a wide database of information and resources, including training for both individuals and businesses that will improve cyber safety and teach preventative measures.
As the White House’s press release points out, cyber attacks can often be protected against with simple tools and measures, such as using strong and unique passwords, enabling multi-factor authentication and regularly installing security updates on your OS.
“Internet users worldwide are targets of cyber crime and other malicious cyber threats that can cost trillions of dollars each year and compromise sensitive, personal data. Many cyber attacks can be guarded against by simple preventive measures,” says the press release.
Knowing how to identify a scam is a key skill in preventing cyber attacks, as hackers often utilise social engineering to gain access to systems rather than just sophisticated programming, a common misconception.
Scammers often resort to phishing techniques to gain login details and other information.
The Medibank hack for example, involved criminals stealing the login credentials of a support desk worker with high-level access. The criminal group then sold them on an online Russian-language cyber crime forum.
The Quad Cyber Challenge aims to teach users “from grade school students to the elderly” on how to avoid cyber attacks, including how to identify a scam.
The challenge will take place from 10 to 14 April, providing users with a video series on “How Not to Get Hacked', as well as a Cyber Challenge checklist.
To sign up as an individual or an organisation, head to https://www.cyberchallenge.tech/.
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