This October marks the 11th anniversary of "National Cyber Security Awareness Month." Advances in technology have led to a more interconnected world, which leads to increased risk of theft, fraud, and abuse. Protecting our information in cyber space - cyber security - is vital to our economy and our way of life, and ultimately to the security of our nation.

One way to improve our nation's cyber security is to educate ourselves on the simple steps we can follow to keep us safe online. Every time we connect to the Internet - at home, at school, at work, or at play - we make decisions that affect our cyber security. Emerging cyber threats require engagement from the entire community to create a safer cyber environment - from government and law enforcement to the private sector and, most importantly, individual users.

Throughout National Cyber Security Awareness Month, I urge you to help improve the Nation's cyber resilience and take the following simple steps to secure your information online:

• Set strong passwords, and don't share them with anyone;
• Keep your operating system, browser, and other critical software optimized by installing updates regularly;
• Maintain an open dialogue with your family, friends, and community about Internet safety;
• Limit the amount of personal information you share online, and use privacy settings to avoid sharing information widely; and,
• Be cautious about what you receive or read online - if it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is.

Cyber security is a shared responsibility. Visit DHS's website at www.dhs.gov/stopthinkconnect to learn more about their cyber security "Stop. Think. Connect." campaign.