Empowering College Students to Protect Themselves Online
The internet offers immense opportunities for learning, connection, and growth, but it also presents unique challenges to personal safety.
Protecting your online identity and privacy is crucial for maintaining your well-being, both now and in the future.
Equipping you with the knowledge and tools to navigate the digital world with confidence and security is our goal.
Staying informed about the latest online threats and scams is the first step toward protecting yourself.
Taking preventative measures can significantly reduce your risk of becoming a victim of cybercrime.
Use a combination of upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols to create passwords that are difficult to crack.
Don't use dictionary words, names, or dates that are easily associated with you.
Use a different password for each of your online accounts to prevent a breach in one account from compromising others.
Consider using a password manager to securely store and generate complex passwords for all your accounts.
Change your passwords regularly, especially for important accounts like email and banking.
Be wary of emails that ask for personal information, contain urgent requests, or have poor grammar and spelling.
Always check the sender's email address to ensure it matches the organization they claim to be from.
Avoid clicking on links in suspicious emails. Instead, go directly to the website of the organization in question.
Report phishing emails to the organization they are impersonating and to your email provider.
If something feels off about an email, trust your instincts and avoid interacting with it.
Review and adjust your privacy settings to control who can see your posts and personal information.
Be mindful of what you share online, as it can have lasting consequences for your reputation and future opportunities.
Avoid sharing sensitive information like your address, phone number, or travel plans on social media.
Be cautious of friend requests from unknown individuals and report any suspicious profiles.
Regularly Google yourself to see what information is available about you online and take steps to manage your online presence.
Enable your computer's firewall to block unauthorized access to your system.
Install and regularly update antivirus software to protect against malware and viruses.
Keep your operating system and software up to date to patch security vulnerabilities.
Avoid using public Wi-Fi networks for sensitive transactions, and use a VPN to encrypt your data.
Only download files from trusted sources to avoid installing malware on your computer.
Cyberbullying includes online harassment, threats, and spreading rumors through digital platforms.
Keep records of cyberbullying incidents, including screenshots, messages, and posts.
Block or unfriend cyberbullies on social media and other online platforms.
Report cyberbullying to the platform where it occurs and to school authorities if it involves students.
Talk to a trusted adult, counselor, or friend for support if you are being cyberbullied or witnessing it.
Ensure websites are secure before entering financial information. Look for 'https' and a padlock icon.
Regularly check your bank and credit card statements for unauthorized transactions.
Avoid making financial transactions on public Wi-Fi networks, which are often unsecured.
Set up fraud alerts with your bank and credit card companies to be notified of suspicious activity.
Use secure payment methods like credit cards or PayPal when making online purchases.
Adjust privacy settings in online games to control who can see your profile and communicate with you.
Be cautious of talking to strangers in online games and avoid sharing personal information.
Be aware of in-game purchase costs and set spending limits to avoid overspending.
Report cyberbullying or harassment within the game to the platform's moderators.
Use strong, unique passwords for your gaming accounts to prevent hacking.
Follow cybersecurity experts and organizations on social media for the latest news and advice.
Stay informed by reading articles and blog posts about internet safety and cybersecurity threats.
Attend workshops or webinars on internet safety to learn new skills and best practices.
Periodically review your internet safety knowledge to identify areas for improvement.
Share your knowledge with friends and family to help them stay safe online.
Your safety and well-being online are of utmost importance, and we appreciate your commitment.
Remember that internet safety is an ongoing process, and continuous learning is key.
Stay vigilant and proactive in protecting yourself from online threats and risks.
Share your knowledge with friends and family to create a safer online community for everyone.
Remember that resources and support are available if you ever need assistance with internet safety issues.