Security awareness

Top 20 security awareness slogans, catchphrases, and taglines

Ivan Dimov
February 25, 2018 by
Ivan Dimov

This article presents the top 20 popular security awareness slogans, catchphrases and taglines with short explanations and remarks. Whether you’re looking for fun ways to get your workforce or coworkers’ attention or clever reminders to stay secure at home, these slogans can help you adopt more secure habits and stay a step ahead of cybercriminals. We’ve even included links to download posters featuring these slogans and other helpful tips.

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  1. If you suspect deceit, hit delete It may be the simplest cybersecurity advice, but it holds true. If an email, message or voicemail looks suspicious, don’t take a chance. Delete, report or verify the sender before taking action.
  2. The most important part of a secret password is the secret part If everyone knows a secret, it isn’t a secret anymore. The same goes for your passwords. Never share passwords or let others log in with your credentials.
  3. Report data spills before molehills become mountains or small leaks become fountains Data breaches are bad. Don’t let them get worse. Report security incidents immediately so your security team can quickly respond and prevent any further damage.
  4. If it blinks, it stinks. Look out for malicious plug-ins and fake updates Software updates are never initiated by obtrusive, blinking popups. Perform updates directly from the app or software or turn on automatic updates to avoid update notifications altogether.
  5. A long password is a strong password This simple tip can significantly strengthen your password, but remember to add as much complexity to your passwords as possible. Learn more here.
  6. Passwords are like underwear. Change them regularly, don’t leave them where people can see and never share them Looking for a relatable way to get your coworkers’ attention and pass along the message of password security? Who could argue with this logic?
  7. The bug stops here. Use anti-malware programs to prevent virus infections. This slogan is a clever reminder for individuals to take personal responsibility for their own security by ensuring protections such as anti-malware software is active and updated on their machines.
  8. You Buy, They Lie Need a reminder about the sweepstake prizes, free offerings and outrageous sales landing in your inbox or displayed on web pages? Remember, if an offer sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Download the poster.
  9. Don’t let your trash become someone else’s treasure. Feed your shredder often. In an increasingly digital world, it’s easy to forget the security risks that come with physical documents. This slogan stresses the importance of securing sensitive documents and preventing dumpster diving.
  10. Think before you click This slogan reinforces the idea that a single click on a phishing email or malicious attachment may be all cybercriminals need to get what they want.
  11. A little goes a long way This short slogan applies to many security best practices, from taking an extra second to verify an email, to collecting as little customer information as possible to reduce the chances of a costly data breach.
  12. Before you leave the scene, clear your desk and screen Use this catchy slogan as a reminder to lock your machine and remove any sensitive notes from your workstation every time you leave.
  13. Don’t sync for sync’s sake Do you need to automatically sync your devices with cloud storage? Be sure you understand your cloud storage configuration and security settings before automating file and media sharing.
  14. Protect personal information. The identity saved could be your own. Cybercriminals target personal information to access accounts, construct social engineering attacks or even steal identities. Protect every piece of personal information including your coworkers’, customers’ and even your own.
  15. Typos Cost You It was just a harmless typo, right? Not so fast. One web address typo could land you on a phony website built to steal your information or infect your device with malware. Download the poster.
  16. Verify, verify, verify If the old real estate adage “location, location, location” was applied to cybersecurity, it would translate as “verify, verify, verify”. There is no harm in verifying the authenticity of a suspicious email, message or voicemail and it could save you or your organization from a devastating breach.
  17. Don’t leave a trail from your cookies This slogan pinpoints the need to clear your browser’s cookies and history often to cover your tracks for other potential users of the machine.
  18. If you find something, say something You don’t have to be a cybersecurity expert to be a key contributor to your — or your organization’s — security. If you find (or see) something, report it.
  19. Don’t take the bait Oh so simple, but oh so true. Phishing emails use enticing bait to excite or scare victims into making a split-second decision. Recognize these offers for what they are — phishing bait — and you can avoid every attack. Download the poster.
  20. Restart is Smart! Make it a habit to restart your devices. With automatic updates enabled, restarting your devices initiates updates and patches built to keep you and your devices secure.

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Get six free posters

Reinforce cybersecurity best practices with six eye-catching posters found in our free poster kit from our award-winning series, Work Bytes.

Are you looking for more eye-catching security awareness resources to help your workforce stay secure? Check out the Infosec resources center for free posters, infographics and campaign kits built to educate and entertain your entire workforce.

Ivan Dimov
Ivan Dimov

Ivan is a student of IT and Information Security. He is currently working toward a Master's degree in the field of Informatics in Sweden. He is also a freelance web developer engaged in both front-end and back-end coding and a tech writer. Whenever he is not in front of an Interned-enabled device, he is probably reading a print book or traveling.