August 16, 2024
Summer days may still be hot, but the nights are getting shorter, and fall is quickly approaching. It seems as though you can’t turn on the TV or scroll through social media without being inundated with ads for back-to-school sales. It’s also an exciting time as kids get ready for the next chapter in their educational journey.
As the first day of school approaches, the frenzy of preparation can be overwhelming and cause parents and children alike to forget a key ingredient to success: cybersecurity! Like all other aspects of life, education requires online activity, and threat actors love to take advantage of unwary students, educators and administrators. Bad guys can even infect your device with ransomware, which is a type of malware that will lock your device and all the files on it. The criminals will only unlock the device and files in return for payment.
Luckily, there are some quick, easy steps everyone can take to mitigate these risks.
Last year, ITS issued a back-to-school newsletter with a number of steps geared towards teachers and parents. We encourage you to read that newsletter, as it still contains valuable information. However, this newsletter focuses on the first line of defense in school cybersecurity: students.
Secure your device. Your device – whether it’s a smartphone, laptop, smartwatch, or tablet – is a digital gold mine for cybercriminals. Set strong passwords; make them tough to guess, using a combination of letters, numbers and symbols. Avoid common words and personal details, such as your name, pet’s name or birthday. Enable multifactor authentication (MFA) wherever possible. Keep all software, including apps and operating systems, up to date. Turning on automatic updates is a great way to ensure you never miss an important security update.
Don’t click on strange links. Avoid clicking on links or opening attachments from unknown emails or messages. They could be vehicles for bad actors to install ransomware or other malware on your device. Verify with the sender offline that they sent a link, and type it into your browser manually, rather than clicking through the email. All links should start with “https”, NOT “http”; the letter ‘s’ indicates a secure connection.
Never leave your device unattended. Security truly starts with the physical device in your hands. Life, especially during the school year, gets busy. Students often may be rush from school to sports practice, then to rehearsal for the big school play, then get together with friends in public places like the mall or a favorite restaurant. Any of these places may have thieves waiting for someone to leave their device behind. Always know where all your devices are!
If you do happen to lose a device, set up a lock screen with a contact number in case someone finds and wants to return it. Most devices have a feature where they can be tracked and wiped remotely, if necessary. Ask a parent/guardian to help ensure these settings are enabled.
Address cyberbullying the right way. Harassment and bullying can happen in any online space. Do not be a silent victim; take action if you or someone you know is being bullied. Do not respond to a bully, as this can escalate the situation. Instead, save evidence like screenshots or messages that show the bullying, and share this information with a trusted adult, such as a parent/guardian, teacher or school counselor. Work with them to report the bullying on the platform where it occurred, like a social media app or video game lobby.
Be smart on social media. With your parent/guardian’s permission, social media can be a fun way to connect with friends and even improve your education. However, there are some key steps to staying safe while using social media. Think before you post; once something is online, it can be nearly impossible to remove. Do not share personal information, such as where you live, your phone number or your location. Never post someone’s picture without permission, and be cautious about pictures you post of yourself. Only accept friend requests and followers from people you know, and work with a trusted adult to review your privacy settings and set them so that only real-life acquaintances can see your posts. Use caution even when messaging someone you think you know; cybercriminals can pose as friends or loved ones to gain access to accounts or personal data. If you see anything that makes you uncomfortable or doesn’t seem right, tell a trusted adult, and let them help you report it to the social media platform’s customer support team.
As you begin another school year, remember that being cybersafe is your responsibility. Many elements of the classroom have shifted to the digital world. While many online spaces make your education more effective, fun and engaging, be aware of potential dangers that lurk on the web. Follow these steps, and always work with a trusted adult to keep your cyber habits strong. Stay smart and safe and have a fantastic school year!
Additional Resources
NICCS: Cybersecurity for Teachers
CISA: Free Cybersecurity Services and Tools
Office of Educational Technology: Resources for K-12 Districts and Higher Education Institutions
Cybersecurity Habit of the Month
Think before you click! Many online activities are perfectly safe and secure. We answer emails from teachers and direct messages from friends. Browsing top news sites is a great way to collect resources for the big paper.
However, it’s important to use caution and remember that threat actors count on us not being careful. Before you click, be sure you know where that link will take you. If you are ever in doubt, report the link if possible, and show it to a trusted adult.