Trend Micro Incorporated, an online security vendor, has launched its internet safety community initiative, known as the Trend Family, aimed at educating families, youths and kids in Malaysia on protecting their digital lives.
The company said it is working with Cyber Security Malaysia (CSM) and International Multilateral Partnership Against Cyber Threats (IMPACT) to reach out to all Malaysians to create a safer digital experience. This nationwide effort is joined by TV personality Nazrudin Habibur Rahman aka Naz and his wife Sheahnee Iman Lee, together they form the Trend Family including two virtual kids represented by Kent Tan and Tang Ruxyn.
Trend Family is a virtual family, made up of real-life Malaysians who share personal experiences on cybersecurity, as well as tips on keeping their digital lives and that of their families protected through a series of articles, blog posts, social media sharing events and seminars.
Heading the Trend Family as the “father” is Naz. He will focus on sharing issues in relation to general internet safety and educating the public to be aware of the threats in the digital sphere. “Information technology and the Internet have changed the way we view and interact with one another. Be it blogs, chat rooms or social media, these platforms are sometimes used for unsavoury purposes by unscrupulous individuals,” said Naz.
“As a parent, I believe my kids will grow up in the digital environment and I believe parents must take active responsibility in protecting and preventing our children from the abuse of the Internet. It is important that parents be made aware of the dangers lurking in the social media world and how we can be vigilant in shielding our children in a world without borders,” added Naz.
Sheahnee, founder of buggybabyboogie, personifies the “mother” of the Trend family. Reflecting the online habits of women in Malaysia, Sheahnee will highlight security issues pertaining to online shopping and tips on how to become a vigilant online entrepreneur.
“As an active business person running an online business, it is most imperative that I catch up on the latest trends, info and threats in the digital sphere. Maintaining trust is important and protecting your business portal from being compromised by cybercriminals is priority. As an online entrepreneur, I want to provide a secured environment and experience for all netizens out there,” said Sheahnee.
Joining Naz and Sheahnee in the Trend family are the children, represented by tertiary students Kent Tan, 21 and Tang Ruxyn, 21 respectively.
As part of the inaugural Trend Family programme, Trend Micro will be funding RM25, 000 for SMK St John, Kuala Lumpur to help refurbish the school’s computer lab. The contribution will support the upgrading of the computer lab and to equip PC’s with the latest Trend Micro Titanium Internet Security software.
“Social networks, mobile app stores, popular websites, gaming downloads, and even texts – the places where young people spend most of their time online – are not entirely cybercrime-free. Hackers, spammers, identity thieves and other cybercriminals are increasingly threatening our digital lives. With the increasing number of touch-points with the online space comes greater susceptibility to online threats. We need to act now – we need to empower families, youth and kids to build a generation of responsible digital citizens. Through prominent personalities like Naz and Sheahnee, who are also parents in their own right and the partnership with CSM and
IMPACT, we aim to get more Malaysian families and youth to be aware and educated on cybersecurity via the Trend Family initiative,” said Goh Chee Hoh, Managing Director, SEA Region, Trend Micro Inc.
Trend Micro will be partnering with CSM and IMPACT throughout the year in various activities to educate and empower Malaysians to be safe and responsible digital citizens. As part of the partnership, CSM and IMPACT alongside Trend Micro will be hosting a series of engagements which include talks and discussions to mitigate cybercrimes and to build a vigilant digital generation in Malaysia.