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How to remain Cyber secure – Parents, Teachers and Students

Over the decade’s technology has changed every facet of human life like the way we learn, communicate, shop, bank, get news and be entertained. Do you need to protect yourself from it to make life easier? Do you want to remain safe online?

The current push towards E-Learning has thrown this arena wide-open the virtual space to all and a set of tech savvy, smart and invisible group also operates in the same space. They may be first time offenders or serious intruders whom create insecurity for us.

The move to E-Learning due to the pandemic has given these cybercriminals access to exploit the digital spaces used by schools. The fact remains that virtual learning has abundant advantages but note must be made of the flip side and adequate measures must be taken by all participants to protect themselves from this cyber menace that is evolving all the time.

For Teachers

• Sensitive data is acquired by misusing human emotions and getting passwords, bank or credit card details.
• Sensitive data of the school or students is accessed without permission.
• Sometimes you can be stopped from using your device or network.
• Computers act as accessory to a fraud like saving stolen data in a device.
• You need to protect your money and data so you don’t allow unknown individuals to hold private and exclusive information in exchange for money or other demands.
• Safety measures:
• Practice safe online behavior to avoid being compromised in classroom or home.
• If you own any digital device like laptops, handsets, home fixtures and Ipads it must be updated regularly, so it is critical for all teachers to highlight this when integrating IoT devices into the classroom.
• Encode your information from attacker to prevent from being accessed during transfer.
• Follow strict regulations as per school guidelines and alert your IT unit for any concerns.
• Protect your devices by logging out when your tasks are completed or you leave the classroom.
• Do not write passwords or your credentials where it can be easily accessed by others.

For parents

• Cyber attackers can manipulate and harass children or teens and cause harm both emotional and financial.
• Beware of being tricked to download malware that are hidden in apps or games.
• Hateful Ads is another risk that can spread bad messages or spam.
• Young children can be fooled through apps with Ads. Or take control through manipulation and shaming.
• Personal information and credit history of children online can be taken.
• Children play online video games and become a target for phishing, scams, viruses and harassment.
• Safety measures:
• Make sure your child knows to create strong password protection on their device and never to share with anyone.
• Keep a watch on their own their online activity and teach what can be accepted.
• Safeguard Identity, personal information and location by disabling photo geotags on their devices Strictly not to share personal or school data.
• Use a safe WIFI at home that has encryption, strong password and minimize outside access.
• Share only with genuine and know persons.
• Kids have these devices but do not fully understand the perils hence a built-in parent monitored feature can be included as a precaution.

For parents

• Hateful online activity can harm students in many ways as spam or malware more likely from home network as it spreads quickly.
• Identity and credit theft can happen if your Smartphone is not protected. You can be lured through Facebook, WhatsApp with scams to get personal data.
• Your webcam or camera can be remotely accessed.
• Safety measures:
• Protect your data with updated software.
• Have an authentic anti-virus or all-inclusive internal safeguards installed. This will help you to scan, find and delete threats in advance.
• Do not open your spam emails from unknown senders.
• Do not share any personal information over mobile or email unless completely secure.
• If you get such calls just hang up.
• Do not visit website URLs indiscriminately.
• Be careful with online financial transactions.
• Know your bank transactions and updates call or visit the bank in case something flags up.

In the present environment online activity has increased manifold. Be aware, keep your virtual space secure and reap the benefits of the digital world.