How to remain Cyber secure – Parents, Teachers and Students

How to Remain Cyber Secure – Parents, Teachers and Students

Over the decades, technology has changed every facet of human life—the way we learn, communicate, shop, bank, get news, and find entertainment. But have you ever wondered if you need to protect yourself from these advancements to make life easier, and whether you can remain safe online?

The push towards E-Learning has opened up the virtual space to everyone—including a set of tech-savvy, smart, and invisible groups. These people, whether first-time offenders or serious intruders, operate in the same digital spaces and create a sense of insecurity for the rest of us.

Driven by the pandemic, the move to E-Learning has given cybercriminals new opportunities to exploit the digital tools used by schools. While virtual learning brings many advantages, the flip side must not be ignored. Adequate measures must be taken by all participants—teachers, parents, and students—to protect themselves from an ever-evolving cyber menace.

• Sensitive data may be acquired by attackers misusing emotions to access passwords, bank, or credit card details.
• School or student data can be accessed without authorization.
• Device or network usage may be blocked by malicious actors.
• Computers can become accessories to fraud, e.g., unwittingly storing stolen data.
• Protect money and confidential data—never allow unknown individuals to access private information for money or under other threats.

• Practice safe online behavior to avoid compromise at school or home.
• Update all digital devices (laptops, smartphones, tablets, IoT devices) regularly; highlight this in class usage.
• Encode or encrypt information to protect it during transfer.
• Follow school IT regulations and alert the IT team to concerns.
• Log out of devices after use—especially when leaving the classroom.
• Don't write down passwords or credentials where others could access them.

• Cyber attackers may manipulate or harass children and teens, causing emotional and financial harm.
• Beware of malicious software hidden in apps or games that children might download.
• Hateful ads risk spreading bad messages and spam.
• Children can be misled or shamed via in-app ads and manipulation.
• Personal and credit information of children can be at risk online.
• Online multiplayer games make children targets for phishing, scams, viruses, and harassment.

• Teach children to use strong passwords and never share them, even with friends.
• Monitor children's online activity and explain acceptable behaviors and risks.
• Safeguard identity, personal information, and location—disable photo geotags and restrict sharing of school data.
• Use home WIFI that is encrypted, has a strong password, and minimizes outside access.
• Share only with genuine, known persons.
• Enable built-in parental controls or device monitoring to protect children who may not fully understand dangers online.

• Hateful online activity, spam, or malware can spread quickly—especially across home networks.
• Identity or credit theft is possible if smartphones and accounts aren’t protected.
• Social media scams (Facebook, WhatsApp, etc.) may try to extract personal information.
• Your webcam or camera can potentially be accessed remotely through malware.

• Keep all software updated for protection against new threats.
• Use authentic antivirus or comprehensive internal safeguards to scan and quarantine threats.
• Avoid opening spam emails or attachments from unknown senders.
• Never share personal data over mobile or email unless the recipient is trustworthy and the connection is secure.
• If you receive suspicious calls or messages, hang up or ignore them.
• Visit only trusted, reputable websites—avoid clicking random URLs.
• Be extra careful with online banking or financial transactions; monitor accounts regularly.
• Contact your bank if you notice suspicious activity.

In today’s environment, online activity has increased manifold—so stay aware, keep your virtual world secure, and enjoy the many benefits of the digital age!