As students head back to class, staying safe online is just as important as staying safe on campus. With laptops, tablets and smartphones being essential tools for learning, they've also become prime targets for cybercriminals.
Whether you're in high school or college or you're a parent supporting a student, it's important to know how to protect sensitive data from digital threats.
Why Cyber Safety Matters for Students
Students often use multiple connected devices, making them vulnerable to a range of cyber threats. According to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), here are some types of personal information at risk in educational settings:
- Personally identifiable information (PII): Name, address or Social Security number
- Biometric data: Fingerprints and facial recognition used to unlock devices
- Academic records: Grades, transcripts and class performance
- Medical and behavioral information: Health records, disciplinary history and more
- Web browsing history: Can be exploited for cyberbullying or phishing
- Geolocation data: Physical location shared by mobile apps
- IP addresses: Can be used by hackers to identify and target specific devices
- Class schedules and activities: Information that could be misused by cyberstalkers.
Unfortunately, not all school systems have robust cyber protections in place. That makes it easier for cybercriminals to steal data, manipulate records or even launch attacks from inside poorly secured networks.
8 Ways You Can Stay Cyber Safe
While you can't control how secure a school's systems are, you can take simple steps to protect your personal devices and data.
1. Keep Devices Updated
Make it a habit to install the latest updates for your operating system and apps as soon as they become available. These updates often include patches for newly discovered security vulnerabilities, so enabling automatic updates ensures your devices are always protected without you having to think about it.
2. Install Security Software
Having reputable antivirus and anti-malware software installed is one of the most effective ways to defend against online threats. Choose a program that offers real-time protection and automatic updates, so you're always shielded against the latest threats.
3. Enable Firewalls
A firewall adds an extra layer of defense by preventing unauthorized access to your devices. Make sure your laptop's firewall is enabled and take a moment to review your device's built-in security settings to confirm everything is turned on and working properly.
4. Use a VPN
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) encrypts your internet traffic, making it much harder for hackers or digital eavesdroppers to intercept your data. A personal VPN is a simple yet powerful tool for protecting your privacy, especially when you're connected to public Wi-Fi at school, in a coffee shop or on campus.
5. Practice Smart Password Habits
Creating strong, unique passwords for each of your accounts helps keep your personal information secure. Avoid reusing passwords and consider using a password manager to help you remember them. When possible, enable multi-factor authentication for added protection.
6. Be Cautious with Links and Attachments
Phishing scams often look like messages from your school, professors or classmates. Always double-check the sender's email address and don't click on links or download attachments unless you're absolutely sure they're safe.
7. Understand Your Rights
Familiarize yourself with privacy laws such as the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), and the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA). These laws help govern what data schools can collect and how that data is used, so knowing your rights can help you better advocate for your privacy.
8. Monitor for Identity Theft
If you're managing your own finances or you're a parent of a student, it may be worth enrolling in credit or identity theft monitoring, such as Allstate Identity Protection. These services alert you to suspicious activity and can help minimize the impact if personal information is misused.
Stay cyber safe all year round.
Digital safety is a shared responsibility. By taking these proactive steps, students and their families can help minimize the risk of cybercrime and protect their personal data throughout the school year.
Cybersecurity is always evolving, so staying informed is key. Visit the Apple FCU Fraud Prevention page to stay one step ahead.
