Staying Safe Online: Internet Safety Tips For Students
Life without the internet is unimaginable nowadays. It helps us in almost every activity we need to do. However, new technologies bring new risks.
Everybody thinks they know everything about staying safe online. You should be careful and find ways to protect yourself online.
These ten suggestions are intended for young people who go to college, but everyone should follow them. They will help you stay secure online.
Risks in online chats
Be careful with received links and attachments
Many scammers lean on people’s curiosity. They use the old trick. It entails that you receive texts from your online friends saying: Hey, I can’t believe I saw you in this photo!
That message always contains a link that you should click on to see what pic they are talking about. This link would usually have viruses or other malicious software that would harm your PC, laptop, or cell phone.
Besides that, many links, attachments, and other downloads can steal your personal information. Never click on links or open downloads from people you don’t know in person.
Sometimes, you would seek help online. You should find help for students on verified websites. One of them is EduBirdie, the essay writing service where you can ask: Write me an assignment, thus you will get an original assignment written by professionals.
Try not to chat with strangers
Nowadays, online dating is a usual thing. Many couples meet online and have a strong relationship. However, meeting people in person is a more secure way.
When you chat with someone online, you can’t know exactly who it is. They can introduce themselves as anyone they want. There lies the danger.
So, even if you chat with strangers, don’t meet them. It is true that they can harm you online, but they can hurt you much worse in person.
Be aware that nothing is private on the Internet
Every content you send or post on the Internet can be discovered online. That refers to your messages, photos, videos, social media posts, and others.
Be careful what you share. Simply, don’t share intimate content that you would not want to become public. Even if you send ”disappearing” messages, they may be visible online.
Be super attentive with sexting
Sexting became a way of communication between people who are attracted to each other. Everything you post or send online can be misused if it falls into the hands of cyber bullies.
Imagine what they can do with your intimate pics or texts. If you have fun sexting, send private content to people on trust, not to someone you met online.
Feel free to block everyone who disturbs you
Every social media and communication app has a block option. If someone sends you unpleasant content or disturbs you in any other way, block them. It will stop them from contacting you and seeing your social media profiles.
Security improvement
Make a strong password
Every time some app or website asks you to make a profile, be sure you make a strong password. That includes at least 12 characters that contain upper-case and lower-case letters, numbers, and symbols. Don’t use your date, such as your name or birthday.
Don’t be lazy and turn on double authentication
Some apps and websites offer double authentication. That means that these apps won’t ask just for your username and password when you log in. You will need to confirm your password on another device.
Also, extra security refers to personal questions you set. However, the most advanced way is face or voice recognition, as well as fingerprint.
Use only a secure internet connection
You know you should always use home Wi-Fi or your mobile data. However, sometimes, you must use public Wi-Fi. Public Wi-Fi can lead to cyberattacks so you should never access mobile banking or online shopping.
If you still need to access net banking, you should use VPN (Virtual Private Network). It will protect any of the data you send while you are on an insecure network.
Don’t share important data
The first rule of internet security is: don’t share important information online. That includes bank account information, address or location, phone number, or social security number.
These details should know your parents only, and nobody else. If strangers ask you to send any of this data, you should report them to the app you use at this moment.
Protect your identity
There is such a thing as identity theft. It sounds interesting that someone would want to be you. However, identity theft is not a joke. It is the crime of obtaining the personal or financial information of another person to use their identity to commit fraud.
So, when you make a profile on social media or other websites, try not to use your real name. Be creative and make up an interesting pseudonym. You should also choose a picture that doesn’t show any of your personal information.
Conclusion
The internet helps you in almost every sphere of your life. It keeps you informed about the news and helps you research. You stay in touch with your loved ones that are far away.
You seek amusement on the internet every day. However, you can easily become a victim of internet scams. You should know how to protect yourselves and we hope that our suggestions will be useful to you.
