Editor’s note: Diana Shafer joined the Year Up program following her passion for computers and technology and is currently an intern at Symantec as part of the Symantec Cyber Career Connection (SC3) program.
Growing up, I was always close to technology. I explored the vast world of the Internet from a young age. I created my first email account when I was 10 years old, but had no concept of acting safe online and signed up for numerous websites that promised free TVs and other cool prizes. It wasn’t long before I fell victim to phishing attacks and almost sent money to someone in Florida for a puppy.
As I got older, I started to see the repercussions of downloading dubious files and trusting everything I saw online. My computer speed came to a screeching halt as spyware and malware swarmed in and bogged down my system. I quickly learned to avoid bogus websites and installed various anti-virus protections for my family’s computers. My computer got fast again, my parents were impressed with my tech savviness, and I found myself a new passion for computers.
Fast-forward to 2014, the year the hack went viral. From Staples to eBay to Sony Pictures, last year taught us that companies, governments or consumers are safe from data breaches. And cyber threats will only continue to increase, especially as connected devices are expected to outnumber connected people six to one by 2020.
So what are millennials doing to prepare our society for a safe and secure future?
The issue of cybersecurity goes beyond governments and corporations to my generation, as well. In celebration of Safer Internet Day — an international education and awareness-raising effort spanning more than 100 countries around the globe — I offer reasons I believe Internet safety matters to millennials: