Part of spreading the message about cybersecurity is making it more accessible for anyone to learn about it.
And what's more accessible than a video game?
PBS NOVA Labs just released an online game called the "Cybersecurity Lab."
I decided to give this game a try, and here is what happened.
How I played this new cybersecurity video game
Imagine you're the creator of a new networking app.
For my game, I chose "Einstagram," AKA Instagram, but you can also select one of three other faux titles for Snapchat, Facebook, and WhatsApp.
In my rush to market, my app launched quickly. "Congrats!"
However, there was a problem: I didn't build cybersecurity into the app. That was just the start.
Here's how NOVA Labs describes the new game:
"Take cybersecurity into your own hands. In this Lab, you'll defend a company that is the target of increasingly sophisticated cyber attacks.
Your task is to strengthen your cyber defenses and thwart the attackers by completing a series of cybersecurity challenges.
You'll crack passwords, craft code, and defeat malicious hackers."
The game features three levels, with nine individual challenges on each level.
And the challenges offer vital cyber skills, including the basics for coding:
How does Cybersecurity Lab teach you about cybersecurity?
Pretty cool, right? But it gets better.
The game is a great resource to learn about cybersecurity.
Not only are you tasked with protecting the digital security of your network, the Lab also features "Cyber Stories" from "Cryptolocker" that offer more information on cyber threats.
Just check out this one on ransomware:
The story in this video game ends with information on how to protect yourself from a ransomware attack:
- Do not click on attachments in emails unless you are certain they are authentic.
- Keep your antivirus software up-to-date. It doesn't offer blanket protection against all malware—it's only as good as the list of malware it checks for. But antivirus software is regularly updated to include new types of malware.
- Back up your computer files so that if your files do get damaged, you can restore them.
This could be a useful new tool to share during National Cybersecurity Awareness Month. #NCSAM #BeCyberAware
Want to play the game? Check it out here.
