What is Aura Cares?
We launched Aura Cares in support of our mission to create a safer internet for everyone, recognizing that our all-in-one technology cannot achieve this mission entirely on its own.
That's where Aura Cares comes in. Building a truly safer internet for everyone demands consideration of those especially vulnerable in their online lives, a deep understanding of the varied digital experiences of people from all types of backgrounds, and an ability to adapt to better address those challenges and unique needs.
As a leader in consumer digital safety, we believe it is our responsibility to help fill these gaps. It's why we established a strategic focus in areas we are uniquely positioned to have the greatest influence and identified activities that directly tie not only to our mission, but that support Aura’s longevity and ensure we are here, advocating for consumers everywhere, for many years to come.
Partnership-Based Approach
We realize that achieving our mission of a safer internet for everyone will not be easy, nor can it be achieved by Aura alone. It requires a strategic effort that combines our expertise and best-in-class technology with proactive collaboration among those with the power to understand, reach and engage groups most at-risk of online threats, underrepresented individuals in our industry and innovators pioneering the future of digital safety and security.
Military Family Online Safety
1 in 4 Americans will fall victim to online crime. But those odds nearly double for military families. Protecting your country should come with the burden of online crime. That’s why Aura has been working to help protect military families in their online lives since 2021.
Through our partnership with nonprofit Blue Star Families, we have delivered educational resources, virtual and in-person learning opportunities and innovative online safety tools to the men, women and families who have made sacrifices to protect our freedoms and civil liberties. Aura has also partnered with a number of military and Veteran discount marketplaces to provide the industry’s largest military discount (more than 60% off!) to active-duty service members, Veterans and their families.
In addition to engaging directly with military families, Aura serves as a leading voice in Washington and at the state level, advocating for expanded and modernized government-provided digital protections for military families. Together with Blue Star Families and Aura Chief Military Advisor, decorated F-16 Air Force Pilot Lieutenant General Charles L. Moore, we have engaged federal and state policymakers, voiced formal support for proposed online safety legislation, and brought Aura to federal benefit marketplaces.
Aura’s Work-To-Date
Aura & WeSalute Bring Affordable, Modern Online Safety Tools to American Heroes & Families
Aura Appoints Lieutenant General Charlie Moore to Chief Military Advisor
Aura Hosts Dinner to Raise Awareness of Military Family Online Safety Crisis
Aura Offers Military Families One Month Free in Honor of Military Appreciation Month
Aura Partners with Veteran Chef Andre Rush to Raise Awareness of Online Crime Among Military Families
Aura Releases Pre-Deployment Online Safety Checklist
Aura & Blue Star Families Team Up for Cybersecurity Awareness Month
Aura & Blue Star Families Protect Military Families During PCS Season
Aura Announces Three-Year Commitment to Blue Star Families of New England
Aura & Blue Star Families Publish Opinion Editorial Advocating for Greater Military Family Online Safety Protections
Aura Promotes Kids Online Safety in Honor of Month of the Military Child
Aura Endorses Servicemember Credit Monitoring Act
Aura CIO JR Tietsort Joins Blue Star Families’ Money Mondays
Aura Releases Military Kids Online Safety Guide
Survey: The Impact of Digital Crime on Our Nation's Military and Veterans
Aura Sponsors The View to Raise Awareness of Military Family Online Crime
Aura Joins Fox & Friends on Veterans Day
Aura Interviews Military Couples On Their Relationships & Perception of Safety
Aura Releases Research on the Veteran Cybercrime Crisis
Online Safety & Permanent Change of Station A Guide to Protecting Your Information, Finances & Family
Blue Star Families & Aura Expand Efforts to Support Military Family Online Safety
Aura Announces Military Discount to Recognize Military Appreciation Month 2022
Aura Releases Comprehensive Guide to Online Safety for Military Families
Aura Partners with Blue Star Families to Reduce the Risk of Digital Crime and Financial Fraud within the Military Community
Aura Formalizes Aura Cares Program & Identifies Military as Priority Community
Driving awareness of heightened risk among communities especially vulnerable to cyber threats
At Aura, we believe it’s our responsibility to take steps to help address and reverse digital threats' increased prevalence and disproportionate toll among especially vulnerable communities. We seek to share our understanding of digital security, the dangers of cyber threats and tools that better protect us as we navigate an increasingly digital world - in particular among those at heightened risk of evolving threats.
In close collaboration with partners who understand and advocate for these communities everyday, we’re building bespoke education campaigns that drive awareness and understanding of increased vulnerability. We're also providing resources to help combat this, as well as offering Aura's proactive protection - so they can simply secure everything they need to do online, while protecting all they care about offline.
Who is most vulnerable?
Aura teamed up with the nation’s largest military family support organization Blue Star Families in 2021 to raise awareness among active-duty service members, Veterans, and their families of their increased vulnerability to cybercrime. In partnership with Blue Star Families, Aura reached nearly 50,000 military families with a multi-channel cybersecurity education.
Military
Active-duty service members are 3X more likely to experience electronic theft of money directly from bank accounts. (Source)
U.S. Children
1 in 50 children have been victims of identity theft. 73% of victims know their perpetrators and foster youth are at higher risk. (Source)
Survivors of Domestic Abuse
In 99% of cases, financial abuse is reported. Often made possible through identity theft or other fraud. (Source)
Older Adults
Americans 60+ lost $1.7 billion to fraud in 2021, more than any other age group. (Source)
Fostering the next generation of diverse talent in STEM and inclusive technology workplaces
Creating a safer internet for everyone, first demands an understanding of the vastly different digital experiences, needs and challenges of people from all backgrounds, cultures, communities, ethnicities, religions and more. That understanding requires a workforce that more closely represents - and can therefore address the needs of - the diversity of the world we live in.
That’s why Aura Cares' inclusion efforts focus on investing in underrepresented talent through STEM education and mentoring, and evolving our talent pipeline by donating to and collaborating with organizations fostering a diverse workforce. Because diversity and inclusion aren’t just critical to building a safer internet for all people - but for building a business that continues to grow and evolve for many years to come.
Ethical innovation to support a workforce, venture community and industry that’s built to evolve and last for many years to come
Critical to building a safer internet for all people is investing in emerging startups and underrepresented founders who are charting the future of online safety. Aura is investing in the future of digital safety and committed to evolving this ecosystem ethically and sustainably.
Aura Innovation Fund: Investing in the Too-Often Overlooked
Innovation is core to ensuring that Aura remains cutting-edge and best-in-class. We believe it's possible to do this in a way that directs hard-to-access capital to startups and founders who are often overlooked. Similar to our education and inclusion initiatives, we believe that our innovation efforts must help us fill the gap in creating a safer internet for everyone.
That’s why we’re identifying and investing in early stage startups that are either led by an underrepresented group in our industry, or solve a problem for a community at especially high risk of cybercrime.
Aura recognizes and supports the collective, systemic change needed to address the climate crisis, and champions a world in which all people can thrive
The protections and security our technology offers families are only significant if we have a healthy, thriving planet on which to live and grow. As we operate, innovate and collaborate, the health of our environment will be kept top of mind - to create not only a safer internet, but a more sustainable one, as well.