黑料传送门

Online learning offers unparalleled flexibility, making a college degree accessible to students regardless of their life circumstances or work obligations. In an online degree program, students complete e-learning modules, read digital textbooks, and engage with course materials using the internet. Because they spend so much time online, these students must be especially vigilant against cybersecurity threats that can jeopardize their personal information.

Phishing attacks, malware, ransomware, and scams targeting college students can have a devastating impact, potentially leading to identity theft, privacy violations, and significant financial loss. Keep reading to explore practical ways to protect against cyberattacks and ensure a safe online learning experience.听

What Is Cybersecurity Awareness?

Cybersecurity experts report that cyberattacks are on the rise, with the number of computer crimes increasing every year. According to Check Point Research, organizations experienced an average of per week in the first half of 2024 alone. Understanding cyber threats is the first step toward avoiding them. Cybersecurity awareness empowers you to recognize and defend against cybercrime through proactive measures.

Typically, cyberattacks target personal information such as bank account details or social security numbers. During ransomware attacks, cybercriminals hold files or data hostage and demand payment for their release. In a social engineering scam, fraudsters try to manipulate people into clicking malicious links or divulging sensitive information. Cyberattacks can also involve identity theft, where criminals impersonate individuals so that they can open new accounts and make unauthorized purchases.

When Is Cybersecurity Awareness Month?

When it comes to cybersecurity, knowledge is power. Whether you鈥檙e a student, entry-level employee, or seasoned professional, staying informed about digital threats is more important than ever. October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, an initiative that highlights the growing importance of cybersecurity education. This joint effort between the public and private sectors serves as a crucial reminder of the dangers posed by malware, phishing, malicious applications, social engineering, and other cybersecurity threats. Throughout the month, organizations across the country share resources to raise awareness about the steps individuals and businesses can take to protect sensitive data.

You can learn more about online safety by exploring resources from the and the .

Tips to Protect Your Digital Identity

Cybercriminals leverage increasingly sophisticated methods to steal information. As a student, you must use proactive strategies to protect your digital identity and stay secure online, especially when using public Wi-Fi. While tools like strong passwords, multifactor authentication, and antivirus software offer individual protection, they鈥檙e most effective when used together. In today鈥檚 digital world, defending against cybercrime requires a multifaceted approach, incorporating several different strategies and tools.

Secure All Devices

Whether you鈥檙e protecting a laptop, smartphone, email account, or personal files, a strong password is one of the first lines of defense. According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the are at least 16 characters long and include a random mix of numbers, letters, and symbols. Most importantly, your passwords should be unique. Reusing passwords across multiple accounts increases your risk of a security breach. A password manager that generates and stores passwords can simplify the process and eliminate the need for you to remember each password.

Install Antivirus Software

Antivirus software such as Norton, Windows Defender, Bitdefender, and Kaspersky automatically protects your devices from cyber threats. By regularly scanning for and deleting malicious programs, this software ensures that laptops, computers, and other devices are free of security threats. Many antivirus programs also include a firewall that acts as a barrier between the device and digital threats. The firewall monitors all downloads and blocks suspicious content before it ever reaches your device.

Limit Personal Information Sharing

The internet has made it easier than ever to share life events and connect with loved ones online. Unfortunately, posting personal information online also creates security vulnerabilities. Hackers can use anything from your birthday to a pet鈥檚 name to guess your passwords and gain access to your accounts. It's important to be especially cautious when sharing sensitive information such as your online banking credentials, social security number, or passwords. Only disclose this information when it鈥檚 absolutely necessary and when you鈥檙e sure of the recipient's identity.

Use Communal Workstations with Caution

If you use public computers at a library or other shared workspace, take the following actions to reduce cybersecurity threats:

• Avoid unsecured Wi-Fi networks. Cybercriminals can intercept data transmitted on unsecured networks. Using the mobile hotspot feature on your personal device is a much safer alternative.
• Use cloud platforms instead of portable drives. Avoid connecting flash drives or external hard drives to shared computers, as these can be conduits for viruses and malware.
• Log out of websites before leaving. To ensure confidentiality, manually log out of all the websites and programs you used on a shared computer.
• Delete cookies and temporary files. These records can contain your log-in credentials, browsing history, and other sensitive information.
• Don鈥檛 leave your device unattended. Always log out before leaving a shared computer鈥攅ven if it's for a short break. It only takes a few minutes for your personal information to be compromised.

Keep Devices Updated

When asked to install an update, many people click 鈥渞emind me later鈥� more times than they like to admit. Although updates can be time-consuming, they鈥檙e essential for staying protected with the latest security patches and features. Turning on automatic update settings can help ensure that your computer always has the latest protection against digital threats.听

Remember to Back Up

Backing up a file simply means copying and pasting it to another location, such as an external hard drive or cloud account. This practice ensures that your files aren鈥檛 lost if a device is damaged or destroyed. It's also a practical way to protect against ransomware attacks. During a , a hacker uses encryption to make your files unreadable. The hacker then demands ransom money in exchange for decrypting your files. By creating backups, you can reduce hackers鈥� power over you.

Use Multifactor Authentication

Multifactor authentication (MFA) or two-factor authentication (2FA) adds an additional level of security beyond a password. Once 2FA is enabled for an account, you鈥檒l need two different types of verification to access it. For instance, a cloud platform might require you to enter a password and provide an answer to a security question before you can view the cloud files. Or, you might have to input a code sent to your cell phone before accessing an email account on a new computer. With multifactor authentication, a hacker cannot access your account with just a password. Set up 2FA whenever possible to establish an added line of defense against cybersecurity threats.

Security Awareness Training

Cybercriminals are constantly adapting their tactics and finding innovative ways to evade detection. Because cybercrime is always evolving, it's essential to stay up to date on the latest online safety practices. Security awareness training programs can equip you with the knowledge and skills needed to recognize the signs of phishing, malware, social engineering, and other scams, helping you prevent cyberattacks before they begin. Many organizations require employees to undergo regular security awareness training. These programs are also useful for students. During cybersecurity training, you鈥檒l explore techniques for creating strong passwords, learn to spot phishing emails and social engineering attacks, and discover the steps you can take to minimize identity theft risks. You鈥檒l also learn how to appropriately respond to cybersecurity incidents.

How to Report Cybersecurity Issues

As careful as you might be, the risk for cyberattacks and related incidents remains ever present. The following steps can help ensure that cybersecurity incidents are handled quickly, responsibly, and with minimal harm:

• Recognize and document the incident. The moment you notice something unusual, record as many details as you can, including the time, date, affected system or device, and symptoms.
• Isolate the incident if possible. If the incident occurs on a device you control, disconnect it immediately from the network to prevent further spread or harm.
• Report internally or to the right authority. Follow your educational institution鈥檚 prescribed security incident reporting protocol. This might mean contacting the IT department, help desk, or some other dedicated information security team.
• Follow proper escalation and communication protocols. Allow the response team to guide your next steps and keep in close touch with them to ensure a resolution is reached.
• Provide follow-up assistance if needed. Assist the response team by answering follow-up questions and providing access to affected accounts or materials.
• Keep yourself protected. Going forward, change all affected passwords or log-in information, enable multifactor authentication, keep your computer鈥檚 antivirus software up to date, and be vigilant for further suspicious activity.

Learn More About Cybersecurity with 黑料传送门

Online safety has become a critical priority for individuals and organizations alike. Escalating cyber threats and data breaches have created an urgent need for skilled cybersecurity professionals who can develop and implement effective security measures.听

If you鈥檙e interested in joining the growing cybersecurity field, a cybersecurity degree from 黑料传送门 can equip you with the latest skills and competencies needed to succeed. Our B.S. in Cybersecurity and Information Assurance degree covers in-demand subjects such as data governance, vulnerability analysis, penetration testing, incident response, digital forensics, and cryptography. The M.S. in Cybersecurity and Information Assurance degree explores advanced topics like secure software design, risk management, and cybersecurity architecture and engineering.听

At 黑料传送门, classes are online and competency based. You can study when and where it's convenient and progress through courses as soon as you demonstrate mastery of the material. Whether you鈥檙e a cybersecurity professional seeking career advancement or a recent high school graduate eager to begin a lucrative career path, 黑料传送门 can help you achieve your goals. Learn more today.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there tools or resources 黑料传送门 provides to help protect my digital identity?

Yes. As an online learner, you have access to resources and security practices you can use, such as:听

• Security awareness training modules that teach how to spot phishing, malware, and social engineering attacks.
• Recommendations for installing antivirus and anti-malware software and keeping it up to date.
• Guidance on using password managers and enabling MFA for your accounts.
• Advice on secure usage of shared or public computers, logging out properly, and clearing browser data.

How often should I review or update my security practices as a student?

It鈥檚 best to review and update passwords every three to six months in general and immediately after any known data breach. It鈥檚 also important to keep all devices and software current by applying security updates and patches once they鈥檙e made available.

How does artificial intelligence (AI) impact cybersecurity threats and defense?

AI has become a double-edged sword in cybersecurity. On one hand, it鈥檚 used by cybercriminals to create deepfake scams, automate phishing, and discover vulnerabilities faster. On the other hand, defenders use AI to detect dataset anomalies, automate security operations, strengthen authentication, and more.