Internet safety is critical because it will determine if you get the positive or negative side of using the internet. You need to make sure that you secure your data at all times.
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Here are 8 safety guidelines you should follow as a college student.
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Table of Contents
Be Careful with what you Downloads
To prevent cybercriminals from having access to your information, update all programs running on your computer. Using an outdated program gives hackers easy access to your data. Most OS providers release new updates every six months to ensure your programs are bulletproof.
Downloads are one of the main ways that students get exposed to malware over the internet. You need to be careful with what you download, especially when it comes to free software. You might be downloading malicious codes put in place by cybercriminals to access your personal data. If you’re unsure about the safety of a given software, do not download it.
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Use the cloud
When all your information is on the cloud, cybercriminals find no data to use if they succeed to hack you. Offsite storage also ensures you can access your data from any devices, all long as you have a strong internet connection.
Use the cloud to store your sensitive data so hackers have no way of getting to it. Even while using the cloud, be very cautious because hackers are all over. There are many reliable cloud backup solutions you can bank on.
Avoid using external hard drives as a storage solution. Many of these hardware storage solutions have been reformatted with compromised firmware. Using your hard drive to send important data can easily give hackers access to your information.
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Always Lock your Laptop
You never know if someone is a hacker because it’s not written on their forehead. When you’re using your laptop in the library or in a public study area, keep it locked each time it’s unattended. This way, no one can go through your information while you’re away. This also means that you should use a password that’s not easy to guess. This might not protect you from external attacks but at least you don’t give people around easy access to your data.
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Install Anti-Malware Protection
Lastly, ensure your computer has anti-malware protection. This is because you’re always going to encounter malware. Anti-malware software ensures that your laptop detects malware before it does any damage.
Since malicious software usually damages your laptop without your knowledge, installing anti-malware keeps you in the know. Every student should invest in anti-virus protection that protects the computer from worms, Trojan horses, viruses and spyware.
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Be Careful who you give your Personal Data
As a college student, you need to hold your personal information close to your chest. Be very careful who you give your personal data because you never know who is out to use it maliciously. Details such as your social security number, address, birth date, and account information should not be given to just anyone.
Always ask if you can use a different kind of identification each time you’re asked for your social security number. You should only give your information to organizations that guarantee that they’ll protect your data.
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Be Wear of Phishing Scams
Before you respond to messages whose senders you do not know, make sure it is not a phishing scam. Cybercriminals use such messages to fish information from you. Since technology has advanced, cybercriminals have gotten better at stealing people’s personal information.
They could very well send you a message as your bank only to clean out your bank accounts. Always confirm with the supposed sender before you reply to a message. This will save you from so much trouble.
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Set Strong Passwords
Before cybercriminals resort to phishing scams and other means of data theft, the first target individuals with weak passwords. Each time you’re setting up a new account, make sure you set a strong password so that people don’t have a chance of hacking you.
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Use your Face as the Password
If you feel you can’t remember a complex password, consider using your face as the password. This is quite secure because no one can duplicate your face. There are so many helpful apps out there that help you set up the password within no time. This eliminates unauthorized entry to any of your accounts.
Conclusion
Data protection is essential for all students because they’re bound to use the internet. You need to take all security measures to ensure your computer is not vulnerable to cyber-attacks. Before you download anything off the internet, be sure it’s not a virus or malicious software. This way, you can use the internet without worrying about identity theft.
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