Nepal Investigative Multimedia Journalism Network (NIMJN) organized a virtual NIMJN Talk on ‘Digital Security for Journalists’ via Zoom on March 26, 2023.

Sampanna Shrestha, Senior Security Analyst in a U.S.-based security company, was the key speaker for the event. She talked to the participants about the overall scenario of digital security in the world and Nepal, the role of human behavior in hacking, scams, and online attacks, and also provided recommendations for practicing online and digital safety while using social media, emails, websites, and banking.

The session included a discussion on the following topics:

• Types of phishing attacks and the ones often seen in Nepal
• Ways to distinguish fake phishing emails from real ones and what to look out for
• Importance of updating antivirus and using VPNs
• Common password mistakes and password recommendations
• Precautions while online banking and best web-browsing practicing
• Tips for staying safe on social media

The main recommendations provided on digital safety are:

• Familiarize yourself with common phishing tactics and language and avoid clicking on suspicious, unknown, or random attachments and links
• Password should be at least 10 characters long and should be changed every 3 months
• Avoid using the same password across several accounts
• Avoid using free wi-fi and always use antivirus and anti-spyware software
• Try to use websites beginning with ‘https’, as they are more secure than the ‘http’ ones
• Customize privacy options on social media accounts and be careful of what and how much you share online

There was also an interactive session conducted where participants were asked to see emails and figure out what made it a phishing email or scam. This was followed by a live display of methods to check if an email ID has been compromised or hacked by using the haveibeenpwned.com website. This was followed by a Q&A session with the participants.

A total of 24 participants participated in the event.

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