For many small farm families, the internet is now essential, like a tractor or a combine. It’s how you sell your products, check the weather, pay bills and stay in touch. But many rural Canadians still don’t have access to fast and reliable broadband. It’s tough terrain, but there’s good news: you can take steps to improve your connection and protect your farm online, starting today.
And since October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, there’s no better time to give your farm’s digital life a little TLC.
Meet CIRA: your internet ally
CIRA (the Canadian Internet Registration Authority) is a not-for-profit that runs the .CA domain and works to make Canada’s internet stronger and safer. As part of its Net Good program, CIRA offers two free tools that are perfect for rural Canadians:
- The Internet Performance Test: to check your internet speed in real time and in real-world conditions.
- CIRA Canadian Shield: to protect your devices from online threats like malware and other cyber risks.
Both are free, easy to use and designed for everyday users across Canada.
Does slow, unreliable internet have you frustrated?
Let’s be honest: rural internet can be … a stubborn stump. Before you start yelling at your router (or your service provider), it helps to know what kind of speed you’re actually getting.
CIRA’s Internet Performance Test (IPT) is a simple tool that tells you how fast (or slow) your connection really is. Just visit performance.cira.ca, click Start and watch the numbers roll in. It’s like a speedometer for your WiFi.
If your results are way below what your provider promised, you’ll know it’s time to have a chat with them or look into other options. If your speeds are fine, great! You can move on with confidence.
Here’s an added bonus: every test you run helps researchers and planners improve rural internet across Canada. So even if your connection is sluggish, you are still helping build a better digital future. Not bad for a one-minute test.
Protect your farm from online threats
A fast connection helps your farm business run smoothly, but speed isn’t the only concern. You also need to stay safe online. Unfortunately, scams and cyber threats today target everyone, and small farms are no exception. Fraudulent activities ranging from scam emails and text messages to deceptive phone calls have become increasingly sophisticated, making it challenging for agri-businesses to maintain security. In fact, common cyber threats like phishing, ransomware and fraud are on the rise, and small farms can be especially vulnerable if they mistakenly assume they’re too small to be targeted. (Read: Protect your Farm from Cyber Attacks)
One of the simplest and most effective steps you can take to secure your digital life is to start using CIRA Canadian Shield. It is a free online protection service like an automatic filter for your internet traffic. It prevents you from connecting to malicious websites that might infect your device or steal your information. If you or a family member accidentally click on a bad link (perhaps in a phishing email or an unfamiliar website), Canadian Shield will block the connection before any harm is done. It’s an extra layer of defence that works quietly in the background to stop malware, phishing scams and other cyber threats at the source.
It comes as an app for mobile devices or a browser extension for laptops and desktops. This service can also be installed directly on your router for those inclined to do so.
There are even different modes to choose from:
- Protected Mode: blocks malware and phishing sites
- Family Mode: offers the same level of protection as protected, but also adds adult content filtering (great for kids and grandkids)
Whichever mode you pick, your farm’s phones, tablets and computers will be safer and you won’t have to lift a finger once it’s set up.
No cost, no catch
Unlike some “free” services that sneakily collect your data or bombard you with ads, Canadian Shield is truly free. CIRA doesn’t sell your data or use it to target you. Our goal is simple: keep Canadians safe online.
Of course, basic cyber hygiene still matters, like being cautious with unknown emails and keeping your software updated. But Canadian Shield adds a strong layer of protection that works 24/7.
October is for cybersecurity, make it count
CIRA’s Internet Performance Test and Canadian Shield are free, easy-to-use tools that provide small farms with meaningful, practical benefits while helping them thrive in an increasingly digital world. Together, they are part of a broader national effort to build a faster, safer and more resilient internet for every community across Canada.
So this Cybersecurity Awareness Month, take a few minutes to:
- Run tests on the IPT at performance.cira.ca
- Set up Canadian Shield at cira.ca/en/canadian-shield/
You’ll boost your farm’s internet speed, protect your household from online threats and help build a stronger digital community for rural Canadians.
Here’s to a faster, safer internet experience on your small farm, this month and beyond!