Stay away from suspicious sites and use strong passwords that are not easy to guess. Two-factor authentication and not clicking on unknown links are also a must.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Create strong login credentials that are not easy to guess or crack.
- Phishing attackers pretend to be someone you may know or a legitimate organization.
- Connecting to unknown networks or public Wi-Fi exposes you to various threats.
- Antivirus safeguards your device and monitors all activities.
Cyber threats have become common now, not to mention, nearly 54 people become victims of cyberattacks every second. You can be the next, especially if you are a student. This is because most of the time you’ll be on the web, taking lectures, or doing other stuff. And the Internet is filled with countless risks.
Youngsters often don’t pay attention to little things, but this mistake can’t be made while dealing with cyber threats. It’s important to understand college cybersecurity and things that you should or shouldn’t do.
In this article, I’ll mention how you can stay safe from cyber threats. I’ll be mentioning practices that safeguard you from various hazards.
This is a very common thing that you should always have a strong password for always your devices and other logins. But people set their birthdates or simple numeric passwords that are easy to guess. That’s not how it should be.
You should set credentials consisting of capital/small letters, special characters, and numbers. This is how a strong password should be. Another thing to do is always keep your device updated.
This goes for your tablet, mobile, desktop, etc. New updates include the latest security features that protect against hackers and other cyber threats. It also improves performance and fixes any existing bugs.
PRO TIP : Use Google password manager as it can help with setting up a strong password!
Phishing has become quite normal these days, and you can easily become a victim of it. They can trick you into giving away your personal information, which can be further used for fraudulent activities.
They usually pretend to be from a legitimate organization, and they target students who can give away their login credentials easily. So what should you do? Firstly, never open any unknown or suspicious email.
Verify that it’s coming from the original source, like a bank, university, or service provider, and do not click on any link that it might contain or enter any information until you are sure that it’s safe. Some signs can be there that it’s fake, like grammatical errors, urgent tones, or the offer itself looking too good to be true.
If you fell into the trap and entered your login information on a fake site, it will be recorded, and the other person will easily be able to get access. Be aware.
Everyone likes free Wi-Fi, right? As soon as you get one, you might start downloading movies, lectures, songs, and whatnot. But if you are doing this on a public or unknown network, you are inviting cyberthreats directly.
These networks are not encrypted, and hackers can get their hands on your data instantly. Not only that, but they can spread malicious software that can mess up your device. They even offer free Wi-Fi for you to use and fall into their trap.
Even if you still want to use it, make sure that you are connected with a VPN. It will hide your identity and encrypt internet traffic. Device software also needs to be up-to-date so it has all the latest security updates. Also, ensure that your auto-connect and file sharing are turned off.
Antivirus is no less than a guardian angel for those who study online. It works as a shield that keeps your device safely away from countless threats like viruses, worms, Trojans, and ransomware, which are well known for stealing data.
It blocks any type of suspicious activity instantly and lets you know what the problem is, so you can also take measures accordingly. Many of these software programs also offer additional features like removing junk files and optimizing RAM, which enhances performance.
Two-factor authentication is something that needs to be enabled all the time. But why? It adds an extra layer of protection. Even if someone managed to get your passwords, they can’t log in as they would need a second verification, like an OTP or authenticator app code, to gain access.
Below, you can see the major benefits of antivirus software.
It should be obvious that you shouldn’t share your personal information online. There’s a limit that shouldn’t be crossed, or you’ll be facing some drastic consequences. It might look harmless, but it’s not.
Hackers can piece together all the information and get something meaningful out of it. If you are a student, details like birthdays or the names of schools attended can be used to gain access to accounts or even commit identity theft.
In case you shared your address or personal number, it can lead to cyberbullying or harassment, which can mess up the mental health of any individual. Bullies can use it to spread rumors or post humiliating content. So, limit sharing your details.
Cyber threats will keep evolving, and hackers will come up with new ways to scam you. But if you take proper measures, it doesn’t matter whether you’re a student, a businessman, or anyone; it can safeguard you.
Things that I mentioned are quite easy to do, and it’s not even that you have to make any investment; you just have to do the right things. Keep your devices updated and always have an antivirus installed.
Limit sharing information, don’t click on unknown/suspicious links, and don’t use the internet from unknown networks. Just follow these things and you’ll be safe and sound.
Stay away from suspicious sites and use strong passwords that are not easy to guess. Two-factor authentication and not clicking on unknown links are also a must.
Never share your personal information, don’t use the internet from unknown networks, and always enable multifactor authentication.
The Internet is home to countless cyber threats. It’s not safe if you are not taking proper safety measures.
