Guide to Maintaining Online Security

Cybersecurity is crucial for all people accessing online environments. Online threats can compromise your personal information and that of others. To stay safe and secure online, students are advised to follow these guidelines. In doing so, you’ll significantly reduce the risk of falling victim to cyber threats and maintain your online security and safety throughout your academic journey.

1. Use Strong and Unique Passwords: Create strong passwords for all your online accounts, including those for your college Master Password. Avoid using easily guessable information like birthdays or common words. Additionally, use different passwords for each account to minimise the impact of a potential breach. Password management software may be used to support you in using strong passwords, and not losing track of them. There are free versions of some of these available- others are low cost.

2. Don’t share passwords: you should not allow others to know your passwords.

3. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Wherever possible, enable 2FA for your accounts. This adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second verification step, such as a code sent to your mobile device, or an authentication app, when logging in. (Also called multi-factor authentication)

4. Beware of Phishing Attempts: Stay vigilant against phishing emails or messages asking for your personal information. Never click on suspicious links or provide sensitive data without verifying the sender’s legitimacy. Even if you know the name, the senders account may have been compromised.

5. Keep Software and Devices Updated: Regularly update your computer, phone, and other devices with the latest software patches and security updates. These updates often include fixes for known vulnerabilities, keeping your devices more secure.

6. Secure Your Wi-Fi Connection: If using public Wi-Fi, avoid accessing sensitive information, such as online banking or college accounts. Instead, use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to encrypt your data and protect it from potential eavesdroppers.

7. Be Cautious on Social Media: Limit the personal information you share on social media platforms. Adjust your privacy settings to control who can see your posts and avoid accepting friend requests from strangers.

8. Regularly Back Up Your Data: Create backups of your important files and coursework regularly. In case of ransomware attacks or device failures, you can recover your data and avoid losing valuable academic work. One option is to use cloud storage such as OneDrive provided with your college Office 365 account, or removable storage (making sure that you have at least two offline copies).

9. Be Wary of Online Downloads: Only download files and software from trusted sources. Malicious software (malware) can be disguised as legitimate downloads, so be cautious before installing anything.

10.  Respect Copyright and Intellectual Property: Avoid using copyrighted material without proper permission or attribution, both in your academic work and on social media. Plagiarism and copyright violations can have serious consequences.

11.  Log Out and Lock Your Devices: Always log out of College accounts and lock your devices when not in use. This simple step prevents unauthorised access if your device is left unattended.