8 Cyber Security Tips for Students Who Are Going Back to College This Fall

The fall is here, and so is the new academic year. In the US alone, almost 20 million students are expected to attend universities and colleges starting fall 2018. Whether you are just starting your experience, or you are a returning student, it is high time to rethink cybersecurity. Do you know what to do to ensure that you are safe? Maybe it's time to upgrade certain systems to aid you efficiently? Whatever it is that you have to do, we suggest wasting no time to take things into your hands. Remember that good habits can make it or break it when it comes to virtual security, and this is why we present a list of cybersecurity tips for college students. Take a look to check if there's anything you should be changing and/or doing to protect yourself.

1. Employ reliable security safeguards

How many smart devices are you bringing to the dorms or off-campus housing? You are likely to be taking your phone, a laptop, and maybe a tablet with you. Depending on your living situation, you might bring smart TV too. All of these devices need to be protected reliably, and it is important to employ the right software and apps to help you out. Nowadays, some of the top-notch security tools are completely free-of-charge, and so there is no excuse for not using one. Of course, caution is necessary when it comes to picking the right tools, but an hour spent researching can ensure a future that is not ruined by malware and the security issues that follow it.

2. Learn how to connect to the Internet safely

Don't be offended here. Surely, you know how the Internet works, and you don't need schooling on how to connect to available WiFi networks or hook an Ethernet cable. That's not what we're talking about. What is important is that you learn how to use Internet connections in a safe manner. For example, if you get tired of studying in the library, you might go to your local coffee shop to do the work, and free WiFi might trump the quality of the coffee itself. Unfortunately, public Internet connections are not always safe, and you should read this article to learn more about that. The same goes for public Internet connections in the library and other facilities offered by the school.

3. Do NOT forget to log out and shut down

Speaking of libraries and other facilities that enable public access to computers, you cannot forget to log out of your private accounts or shut the computer down; even when you are just taking a quick break to the nearest vending machine. We will not say that there's always someone lurking and waiting for the right moment to attack, because that is unlikely to be the case, but you want to be safe. Even if no one is trying to get you, a free computer is often a hot commodity, and you do not want anyone taking advantage of unlocked PCs or laptops that are left unattended. Furthermore, if you get into the habit of logging out and turning off, you will be less likely to forget about it when you finish your work on public systems. It is also a good idea to change the settings on your personal computer to make sure it automatically shuts down or sleeps when not in use.

4. Take care of your personal space

This is so important if you are sharing your living space with someone else, and that is likely to be the case if you live in the dorms or a shared house. Since student rooms and homes usually embrace the open-door policy, anyone could get in, and so you need to take security measures. Put passwords and PINs on all your devices – and we discuss password managers that could help you with that further on – to ensure that no one can get into them. Consider investing in a safe to keep your most valuable items locked away. Locking doors is important too. Who would forget that, right? Well, some don't when they take showers or leave to grab a snack downstairs, but that gives enough time for someone to steal wallets, electronic devices, prescription medication, and so on.

5. Learn how to use the Internet safely

When you start university or college, you usually set up an email account with the school's email provider, and this might be one of the many new accounts you set up. On top of that, as you meet new people, you might be setting up new social media accounts, and as you participate in new school-related activities (a.k.a., parties), you might be sharing more than usual. Online presence might be important, but you have to think carefully about what you post and share. For example, you do not want your student ID or your home address showing in the background of a seemingly-harmless first-day selfie. And when you go out at night, do not share your location publicly. In fact, it's best to leave photo-posting for the next morning. That might save you from serious regrets, and you will not be advertising that no one's home, which could be an open invitation to thieves who prey on careless students. This is one of the most important security tips for college students.

6. Be careful about scams

As you set up new email accounts or sign up for new services and apps, you need to be cautious about phishing scams. If you receive a strange email message from someone you do not know, you should not even open it, and if the message contains a strange link or attachment, think twice before opening it. Of course, with the flood of lecture-related emails, newsletters for academic societies and the student's union, and general junk, it might be tough to stay alert 24/7, but you have to get into the habit of screening your emails before opening them. If you are not careful, you could be tricked into disclosing private information and login data or even paying for bogus services. For example, in 2016, students in the UK were receiving phishing emails that tricked them into paying money for someone who pretended to represent the university's finance department.

7. Employ a reliable password manager

You might already be drowning in passwords and usernames if you belong to Gen Z, but when you start school, the number can increase even more. When more usernames and passwords exist, we get into the bad habit of recycling login credentials. What is worse, we create easy-to-remember passwords. What's the problem with that? Those are easy to guess and hack. Even if you aren't too worried about the security issues associated with reusing weak passwords, you can benefit from a reliable password manager, a tool that can keep all your login credentials safe. And you don't need to break a bank for it either! Cyclonis Password Manager, for example, is completely free, without any hidden charges, and it can generate strong passwords that cannot be cracked. And if you are now aware of the most important security tips for college students, you know that locking up virtual data with passwords is important. A password manager can make the process much easier.

8. Start backing up ALL files

The last thing you want is to lose that paper you've been working on for the last couple of months (or nights). It's also a good idea to back up copies of all of your submitted papers and essays because you never know what you could use in the future. Unfortunately, laptops get stolen, computers crash, and malware attacks. You want to be ready for all scenarios. If you back up your files, you will not need to redo your work even if you lose your computer or if it gets stuck in the repairs shop. It is easiest to use online cloud storage to back up files as it gives easy access wherever you go, but it will be safe only if you set up a strong password (refer to step 7 on how to use a password manager for that) and remember to log out whenever you complete the backup process.

Starting university or college can be intimidating and nerve-wracking, which is why you want to eliminate as many stressors as possible. Make sure you pack everything that you need. Figure out how you will finance your studies. Plan on how you will meet new people. Remember all of the listed cybersecurity tips for college students to ensure that virtual security is one thing you do not need to think about at all. Most important, enjoy yourself, and keep in mind that knowledge is power. Good luck!