Students, teachers, and educational institutions can all be targeted by hackers. In fact, 87% of schools have experienced one or more successful cyberattacks.

There is a way to avoid cybersecurity threats, and that’s incorporating effective practices in your daily use of the internet. Here are a few best tips for improving cybersecurity.

1. Use Strong and Varied Password

The “one password fits all platforms” philosophy is ideal for hackers. They only need to get a password to one network to access all of the others as well. To prevent this from happening, you need to set different passwords on all your accounts.

Memorizing all those passwords can be difficult, especially when you consider various platforms you use for studying. However, with password management apps, you won’t have to memorize them. In addition, you need to create a strong password. For a quick solution, you can use a strong random password generator.

2. Give Your Data Only to Proven Websites

Random websites can ask for detailed personal information if you want to get access to more content or download something. This can be a threat.

Take extra precautions when using unknown platforms. Before you decide to sign up, read their privacy policy and do some research on the company. For example, if you’re looking for an essay writing company, you can first read the info on the best ones on a credible Top Writers Review website. Reviews, Google results, and privacy policies can help you get to know the website better.

3. Don’t Download Attachments from Unknown Email Senders

Email phishing is among the most frequent types of cyberattacks. A simple email attachment such as a supposed e-book can be a gateway for malware or phishing attacks.

Whenever you get an email from an unknown recipient, don’t download the attachments. Even if the email seems legit, clarify first who the sender is and where they got your email before you download anything.

4. Stay Away from Unprotected Public WiFi

An unsecured public WiFi gives free access to the network to anyone – including the criminals.

If you are on the same network, it’s easier for cybercriminals to leach onto your device and access everything you have. Even if just want to quickly connect to research document translation companies for your study abroad papers, hackers can get to your data before you finish.

In situations when you can’t avoid using public WiFi, use a VPN and be vigilant. Virtual Private Network or VPN will encrypt all your internet activity. You can download a VPN app on your phone with a few clicks.

5. Use Platforms and Apps that Encrypt Data

Apps, platforms, and websites with encrypted data will keep your personal information and internet activity safe. Messaging apps with encryption are also more secure.

When browsing, pay attention to whether the websites with a padlock and “https” in their URL are encrypted. These types of websites won’t leak your data to unauthorized parties.

The privacy policy is yet another way of checking whether the app, platform or website is encrypted. For example, if you read in the policy that the site is covered by COPPA (Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act), it is secure. To ensure internet safety for its students, many educational institutions use apps and platforms covered by this act.

6. Be Vary of URLs in Messages

You might not find anything peculiar about your friend, teacher, or well-known company sending you an URL. Especially if the message comes in the form of a text message or WhatsApp message. Unfortunately, this is one of the tricks of cybercriminals.

This type of attack is quite common. Clicking on the links can completely open the door to your data. So, if you receive a message with a suspicious URL, first inquire what it is about. When a company sends you such a message, go to their official website instead of clicking on the link.

Conclusion

These simple steps of precaution will help you keep your data safe. Being more careful of what actions you take, pages you trust, and how you dispose of your data is necessary. A few tips like these can do a lot for your internet security.

Barbara Fielder is a writer whose main areas of expertise are technology and education. She’s been a part of various projects that advocate internet safety for students. Barbara uses her writing experience to build awareness of secure online learning.