Computer Safety Help for College Students

Over the past ten years, teens and young adults are among the groups most likely to access the internet. Research has shown nearly 95% teens are connected to a smartphone and 45% report that they’re online “almost every day’.

With the increased presence and technological advancements that the internet offers it is essential to be secure in the present than ever before. Keeping your networks, systems as well as programs safe from digital attacks is becoming a greater issue, particularly for college students.

Whatever your location anywhere in the world, a laptop is essential to finish homework, studying materials and even attending classes! Without a laptopcomputer, it’s nearly impossible to complete your duties as a student. Therefore, it’s essential to keep your laptop and the contents secure and safe.

While safety on campus is the main concern of most parents, they may be worried about the security of their children on the internet.

So… we’re celebrating Computer Security Day, so we’ve created a list with tips to keep your account and laptop safe from thieves and hackers!

1. Make sure you are using a firewall and antivirus and antispyware system

Many schools offer an app for security for free, especially because many campuses offer just one or two wireless networks to the entire campus, making it even more easy for hackers to steal your personal information and allowing hackers to access hundreds of users in just one breech.Read here companionlink.com At our site

2. Do not click on any suspicious links and attachments in emails and messages.

If you get an email or message from someone else you do not know (or perhaps someone you know) that contains links , or attachments that appear as if they’re spam… make sure you don’t open them! You must delete the email immediately and clean your trash can. They could be contaminated by harmful viruses.

3. Invest in a credit card

This may seem like an absurdity… considering that I’m sure you’ve heard about the financial burden credit cards induce if they’re paid off properly, but shopping online using credit cards can be safer than with a debit card. Your debit card is tied to your bank account. This means in the event that someone steals your debit card’s details it will be able to gain access to all money that is in your account. Always check the credit card statement regularly and inform your bank right away should you see any suspicious actions. If you’re lucky enough to be granted credit card, be sure to maintain your monthly installments to ensure you aren’t charged expensive fees for making payments late.

4. Backup your files

We recommend investing in portable hard drives, especially during the finals time. Nothing is worse than losing months of hard-earned effort in the event of a security breach. Things happen, so you need to be prepared for any eventuality. While you’re unlikely to get breached, you could spill coffee onto your laptop and ruin everything. It is better to be secure and avoid the risk!

5. Lock your dorm room

Never leave your dorm room unlocked! Your laptop is not the only thing being kept in the room, but there are also your personal possessions (and your roommate’s, if the room has one). Be careful who you provide access to your room and also. While someone may seem friendly but it’s important to make sure nobody has access to your home without your presence. Additionally, don’t store computer equipment in your vehicle since it’s likely to get stolen and broken into.

6. Cleanse old devices

If you buy a fresh laptop or phone while on campus, make certain to wipe your old one completely clean prior to reselling. This can be a bit difficult when you do it correctly so be sure to follow the directions on the internet closely. You can also bring your device to a local library or store for help.

7. Create strong passwords. Also, play around with passwords

When creating passwords for your accounts use one with distinctive characters and capital letters. Avoid using passwords such as ‘password’ or ‘123456’. Be sure to make different versions of your passwords for multiple accounts. If you use the common password for all can lead to the hacker’s ability to gain access to all your accounts.

8. Be aware of social media.

Although social media is a great platform to update your family and friends the latest happenings throughout your day, it’s prudent to track who’s the most active on your page. Based on the number of followers you have it’s a good idea to monitor the content you post using social media. If you have thousands of followers, be careful posting your locations, etc. because it might give someone a heads up that you are not in town as well as your belongings the house are not being attended to. We recommend going private and monitoring your social media accounts to ensure your pictures and information is safe.

9. Enable two-factor authentication

Most email providers now offer this method to safeguard accounts. This may seem insignificant but it does strengthen your password and helps protect you from getting hacked. It’s easy to set this up on your mobile or with an application.

10. Don’t give out your passwords

The reason passwords exist is that they are important they’re created to protect your privacy and are strictly for your personal use. Be careful in sharing passwords, as sharing this personal information grants them direct gain access to the accounts you have. Sharing your password with Netflix is good for you But if your Netflix password for Netflix is also your password for everything… Maybe it’s better to keep it to yourself.