6 Online Security and Privacy Tips for Students

As a student, you have plenty to worry about. The status quo of many students is the pressure to get good grades, the race against peers to join the best possible internships, and the desire to make the most out of your life while you are still young and have the time and energy.

Considering these factors, it makes sense to try your best and avoid other problems, right? 

One such issue is online privacy and security. As a student, you have to spend time on the internet via your smartphone or computer. 

It helps when you're well-versed in technology, but not every student prioritizes learning about computers, smartphones, and, even less so, potential threats that are online. For a casual person, malware, ransomware, phishing, and other similar threats are of no real concern, even though they should be.

So, the question is, what can you do to protect your privacy on the internet as a student? There are quite a few tips worth following.

#1 – Antivirus Software

Let's start with antivirus software. Sophisticated security tools are available on both computers and mobile devices.  

Even if you identify potential threats, such as shady email attachments or URLs, it is still better to be safe than sorry.

As a rule of thumb, antivirus software should be running in the background all the time, even if the computer is idle. In the case of smartphones and tablets, a malware app is more commonly used to just scan the device now and then (you also want to do this on a computer).

Naturally, you might be thinking that an extra background process on a computer puts a toll on resource usage. Fewer background apps mean less memory consumption. On the other hand, even a minor computer virus can snowball out of control.

 If that happens, your computer performance might feel as if there are 100 background apps running.

Make sure that you download and install antivirus software to protect your computer data (not just what you need for school).

#2 – Data Backups

We talked about how computer viruses are a problem and why you need an antivirus tool. However, there are no absolutes when it comes to technology. As such, data backups function as an extra precaution.

Setting up a data backup should not be a problem. You can simply keep your most important files in cloud storage services like Dropbox or iCloud. Or, utilize USB flash sticks and external hard drives.

If something happens to files on your smartphone or computer, you will have the option to restore them thanks to a backup.

#3 – Virtual Private Networks

The first thing to mention about a VPN is that it offers more than just privacy and security. Some students want to access geo-restricted websites and other content. Virtual private networks let you change your location and circumvent the restrictions.

While the geo-blocking elimination feature is neat, VPNs still excel in one's online privacy and security. Students should also regularly check for online cybersecurity solutions to learn new trends and tactics so that they can be aware the threats in online data security.

Quite a few students have to use public Wi-Fi. Dorms, cafes, libraries, etc., will not offer you a private network. 

Public Wi-Fi usually lacks security protocols. Therefore, when you join such a network, you expose yourself to potential hacker attacks.

This is where a VPN comes in to save the day. The service encrypts your data and creates a wall between you and potential attackers. Even if someone attempts to breach the network and get their hands on your device, they will struggle to make sense of how to achieve their goal because of a virtual private network.

#4 – Password Management

From personal emails and collaboration tools at a university to social media and banks, you are bound to have multiple accounts that you use throughout the day.

Accessing your account requires a password. A proper password management policy is one of the cornerstones of ensuring one's online privacy and security.

Imagine a situation when you register on a website, and this website exposes its user information. If you use the same password everywhere, including this site, then you are in real trouble.

To create a solid password management strategy, you need to:

• Never use the same password for different online accounts
• Create difficult and random combinations that are hard to crack
• Rely on a password manager to store credentials if you cannot memorize everything

#5 – Two-Factor Authentication

More and more online services introduce an imperative to have two-factor authentication. One of the reasons behind it is government pressure. At the same time, banks, online stores, and so on understand the value of 2FA and how much it does in terms of security.

Just as the name suggests, two-factor authentication is a two-step security measure that goes beyond email/login and a password.

To access an account, you also need to enter a code that you receive via a text message or an email. 

If somebody gets hold of your account, they would also need access to your email inbox or a smartphone. 

At times, it can be bothersome to always take that extra step just to check your account, but the effort is well worth it, considering what 2FA offers for students who are concerned about online privacy and security.

#6 – Shady Websites

The last bit of advice is to avoid shady websites. For the most part, it usually involves online stores.

As a student, you might not have that much money, so looking for the cheapest goods is usually the only option.

The problem is that online stores that offer goods and services for the best price are not necessarily the most reliable. By submitting your credentials, you potentially risk exposing your information.

At the very least, do the necessary research to confirm that the website is legit. And if you notice red flags, such as questionable ads and banners, it is for the best to look elsewhere and not risk it.

Conclusion

All in all, there are more than enough reasons to protect your privacy and security online as a student. By picking up the good habits early, you will have plenty of useful experience that will translate into valuable knowledge for your career. 

Once you start working, security and privacy in the workplace become an even bigger thing than it is during your student days.