By Jeané Blunt. Thanksgiving falls on November 25 this year. Many people will be spending time with family, cooking, laughing, joking, and enjoying that in-person quality time. This year, another equally important (albeit less popular) holiday falls on November 25—Update Your Parents’ Browser Day.
If your parents are like mine, they look forward to your visits. Not only because they enjoy your company, but also because they get a crash course on how to use and optimize their tech devices. In my parents’ household, getting the computer to run faster (by simply restarting it) is enough to have you declared a “computer genius.”
Casey Hennig, outreach and engagement coordinator in UCB’s ITS department, is tasked by her mother to mass delete emails when she visits so they don’t “take up space” on her computer. Solving these problems usually takes minimal effort on our part, but they can mean a world of difference to our parents—and it’s a small price to pay to the people who raised us.
As a UC employee, we know that cybersecurity is our personal responsibility. We are provided with the tools and information to keep our machines running smoothly and securely. This Thanksgiving take a moment to share that knowledge with your friends and family. Take some time between the turkey and pie to ensure that their software and devices are up-to-date and secure.
For more information on how to keep your family protected, check out the following links:
- Protecting Your Family Members (UCSD Blink)
- Information Security Tips and Fact Sheets (UC Systemwide Cyber Champions)
- Cybersecurity: Make it a Habit, 8 Tips (UC Systemwide Cyber Champions)
Jeané Blunt is IT communications and UC FCC licensing coordinator, Information Technology Services, UC Office of the President.
Love this. Nice idea to formalize what already happens. I hope the tradition takes off.