Top Cybersecurity Tips Students Must Know
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When pursuing a university or college education, you won’t only have to think about things like campus life, tests and exams, and part-time jobs. Whether you study on campus or remotely at home, you must consider cybersecurity issues since the threat landscape is fierce.
Cybercriminals and hackers don’t take any breaks and don’t cut anyone any slack, so you need to be on your toes. Remember these five cybersecurity tips post-secondary students need to know.
1. Be Wary of Unprotected Wi-Fi Hotspots
It’s natural for students to visit establishments offering free Wi-Fi service. Whether at a coffee shop socializing with friends or finishing up a research paper, you might be tempted to log onto the internet using the free internet service many establishments offer. But you need to be careful. Unprotected hotspots are patrolled by cybercriminals looking for people to victimize.
Unless you’re using something like a virtual private network that encrypts your data, anyone who wants to snoop on your online activities can do so with tools readily available on the dark web. Don’t become a victim. Either ensure your computer or mobile device has the right encryption tech or use the data included in the data plan for your mobile to stay safe.
2. Don’t Reuse Passwords
It can be tempting to use the same password for various websites. But while that’s convenient, it isn’t safe. You already know it’s unwise to use easy-to-guess passwords like your pet’s name, date of birth, or any other personal information. But reusing any password across multiple sites can be particularly dangerous. If you keep using the same password, anyone who finds out the password will potentially be able to access multiple accounts and steal a treasure trove of data.
3. Beware of Phishing Attempts
As a student, you’ll be getting and sending many email messages. But even as you meet new people and grow your contact list, you need to be on your toes regarding phishing. A phishing attempt occurs when someone pretends to be someone else while sending another person a message. So, a hacker pretending to be a bank manager could, via email request, ask that you verify some personal information. Avoid clicking on links contained in such messages since you could unwittingly be downloading viruses or malware onto your computer.
If you’re too trusting or not on your guard, you could fall for such phishing attempts. Delete them. The worst thing you can do is send information, and keep in mind that banks won’t ask you to transmit personal information via email.
4. Update Software Regularly
Ensure that your software and operating systems are up to date. Hackers are always finding and taking advantage of vulnerabilities in technology, so your best bet is to ensure you update regularly. If possible, set things up so that updates and patches are done automatically. That way, you will get updates as they’re available, and you won’t have to download them manually.
5. Use Social Media Carefully
Another important cybersecurity consideration involves social media. When using social media, consider the privacy and security settings. Do you want everyone to be able to see your messages? Look at and settings and choose your desired level of privacy and security. And be mindful of what you post — whether photos or messages. Unless you’re talking to people you know on your social media platforms, you can’t be sure that everyone is who they say they are. So, you’ll want to avoid compromising your own safety by disclosing too much information.
These are five specific cybersecurity tips for students at post-secondary institutions. But cybersecurity risks don’t just apply to students. Schools of higher learning need to be mindful of the risks posed by cyberattacks. Every department should know how to manage and respond to threats. Whether the maintenance department, the faculty groups, and other entities, colleges and universities need to have a strategy to deal with the cybersecurity threat landscape.