Say hello to Malaysia’s ‘Trend Family’

• TV’s Naz and buggybabyboogie.com’s Sheahnee in ‘virtual family’ to educate parents and children on digital safety
• Partners with CyberSecurity Malaysia and ITU-IMPACT to extend education outreach

SECURITY software company Trend Micro Inc has launched an Internet safety community initiative known as the ‘Trend Family’ and aimed at educating families, youth and kids in Malaysia on protecting their digital lives.
 
The company is also working with Cyber Security Malaysia (CSM) and the International Telecommunications Union’s International Multilateral Partnership Against Cyber Threats (ITU-IMPACT) to reach out to all Malaysians to create a safer digital experience, Trend Micro said in a statement.
 
The nationwide effort features TV personality Nazrudin Habibur Rahman aka Naz (pic above, 2nd from right) and his wife Sheahnee Iman Lee (2nd from left), founder of online baby store buggybabyboogie.com. Together they form the ‘Trend Family’ which also include two virtual kids represented by Kent Tan (far right) and Tang Ruxyn (far left).
 
“Social networks, mobile app stores, popular websites, gaming downloads, and even [SMS use] – the places where young people spend most of their time online – are not entirely cybercrime-free,” said said Goh Chee Hoh, managing director of the South-East Asia Region at Trend Micro.
 
“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 in the partnership with CSM and ITU-IMPACT, we aim to get more Malaysian families and youth to be aware and educated on cybersecurity via the Trend Family initiative,” he added.
 
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.
 
The ‘father’ of the Trend Family is Naz, who 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,” Naz said in the statement issued by Trend Micro.
 
“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 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,” he added.
 
As the ‘mother,’ Sheahnee will reflect the online habits of women in Malaysia, and 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,” she said.
 
“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,” she added.
 
Joining Naz and Sheahnee in the Trend Family are the children represented by tertiary students Kent Tan, 21 and Tang Ruxyn, 21 respectively. Socially active and influential, the children will be opinion leaders within their communities, sharing pertinent information on cybersecurity, Trend Micro said.
 
As part of the inaugural Trend Family programme, Trend Micro will be funding RM25, 000 (US$7,860) for a secondary school in Kuala Lumpur to help refurbish its computer lab.
 
Visit the Trend Family here: https://www.facebook.com/TrendMicroMY
 
CSM, ITU-IMPACT partnership
 
Trend Micro said it would also be partnering with CSM and ITU-IMPACT throughout the year in various activities to educate Malaysians on safe and responsible Internet use. The trio will host a series talks and discussions on mitigating cybercrime and building a vigilant digital generation in Malaysia.
 
“As we venture towards digitalisation, indepth awareness and education amongst the public are vital to ensure that the future of our generation isn’t jeopardised,” said CSM chief executive officer Dr Amirudin Abdul Wahab (pic).
 
“To date, the number of recorded cybercrime cases in Malaysia is on the rise and efforts like the Trend Family can change the scenario and aid in developing a generation of vigilant Internet users,” he added.
 
“We at ITU-IMPACT are constantly looking out for opportunities and we welcome organisations like Trend Micro which are committed in making the Internet a safe and productive place for netizens,” said Philip Victor, director of the Centre for Policy & International Cooperation at ITU-IMPACT.
 
Founded in 2008, the mission of Trend Micro's Internet Safety for Kids & Families (ISKF) initiative is to enable and empower kids, parents, teachers, and schools around the world to make the Internet a safe and secure place for today's youth.
 
ISKF does this through a worldwide employee volunteer programme, grants and donations to eligible organisations, strategic partnerships with organisations working to protect youth, educational programs, and a series of online tips and solutions for parents, educators, and youth.
 
For ISKF's free Internet safety tips, tools and advice, visit: www.trendmicro.com/internetsafety.
 
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