Every student knows that being hacked is no fun. It is disruptive, depressing, and expensive. In the U.S. alone, hacking incidents have increased almost fivefold since 2016. Moving to virtual learning in the wake of the pandemic has created new opportunities for cyberattackers. If you are lax about taking steps to protect yourself, you run the risk of providing one of those opportunities to them.
We have come up with 5 simple tips that will help you take protective measures yourself. They are simple, time-saving, and cheap. Take time to review them carefully, and make sure you apply them diligently. This will save you a lot of time and trouble.
IMAGE CREDIT: Photo by John Schnobrich on Unsplash
Use Wi-Fi Prudently
You are not the only one sharing and receiving Wi-Fi hotspots. But if you do it with someone you do not know, you might be setting yourself up for trouble. Every time you share it, make sure you know the person.
Similarly, be careful in public places, such as cafés, restaurants, or airports. If it is not urgent, consider using a safe connection somewhere else. Remember that negligence will cost you more at a later stage.
Ensure Your Network Security
If you can, only use a virtual private network (VPN) when you work online. It is a great way of disguising your online identity. It also helps you protect your network from unauthorized access, as it enables the installation of a firewall. Another great step is to use multifactor authentication to access your account.
Make sure you update your antivirus software and operating system on a regular basis. If you are using a buy essay no plagiarism service, you might not be able to enjoy its full benefits if your software is not running properly. Poor systems will slow you down, and you might find it a tall order to finish what you are supposed to complete in a timely manner. This smacks of unnecessary procrastination.
Use a Stronger Password
Don’t be lazy to use a strong password to protect your account. If you are really serious about it, make sure you use numbers, symbols, and a combination of letters (a mix of lower- and uppercase). It goes without saying that you need to avoid using names or numbers that might be used to identify you (e.g., the name of your kid, your social security number, or your bank account number).
Don’t Fall Victim to Phishing
Phishing scams aim to gain access to your personally identifiable information. It’s always a bad idea to click on emails you receive from strange sources, especially those that ask you to take some action or lottery-winning notifications. The same goes with attachments; they are even more dangerous if you open the ones coming from unknown or suspicious sources.
If you are not sure about the source or a website, take time to search reviews online. This might be time-consuming, but it will save you from greater trouble if attacked.
Be Smart About Choosing Your Apps
Your phone must be full of sundry apps. They have become indispensable in our daily lives, as they vary from college apps to fitness apps and games. But you should only choose ones from trustworthy and reputable sources. Also, make sure you update them on a regular basis to be able to benefit from all sorts of bug fixes and easier usage.
Keep an eye on online reviews about the apps that might be used as conduits of malware. Waste no time deleting them and replacing them with trustworthy ones.
Finally
As time goes on, students will be using increasingly sophisticated technologies. Hackers are not asleep either, and rest assured that they will be getting smarter with their techniques as well. It is of utter importance to be disciplined and diligent about protecting yourself from imminent cyberattacks. When push comes to shove, you might regret being lax about taking protective measures.
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Carl Hill is an experienced ICT expert. In his college years, he experienced the harmful effects of hacking regularly. This prompted him to come up with regularly updated tips for fellow students. Lots of students worldwide have already benefited from his advice to safeguard against recurrent cyberattacks.
