Whether you’re studying for an online masters in Australia, or completing an undergraduate degree via remote learning, the truth is that you’re going to be spending a lot of time online.
Researching for assignments, downloading shared files and documents, sending emails and even scrolling on social media in your downtime will have you making excellent use of your wifi connection.
But the scary reality? The internet is not a safe place. There are so many hackers, scammers and spammers online – and the more time you spend surfing the web, the more potential there is for your digital assets to be exposed to cybercrime.
So, stay with us for our top tech tips to protect your privacy and stay safe online while you study.
Tech Tip # 1: Protect Your Passwords
When hackers are trying to get into your accounts, there are certain strategies to stop them from gaining access to your online profiles. Our top tip? Using strong, unique passwords and regularly changing them.
Even better? Don’t fall into the trap of using the same password for every online account. Yes, it does make it easier to log in to your Facebook, Instagram, email and even university intranet if you make the logins for each of your accounts the same.
Of course, you’ll only have one password to remember across the board, which minimizes the chance of forgetting login details and getting locked out of your account. But, the downside of this? If anyone else gets a hold of your one and only password, they’ll gain access to everything.
So, make sure your passwords are original and that you use different passwords for every app you access. Most apps can even suggest strong passwords that meet complexity requirements and are completely unique, making it virtually impossible for hackers to catch on.
Tech Tip # 2: If It Looks Suspicious, Don’t Click It
The smart internet browsing rule of thumb? If a link looks suspicious, don’t click on it.
So, how do you know if a link is suspicious? Consider, for example, a spam email you might receive. The first red flag? It will usually go straight into your junk folder.
But, if you do venture into the body of the email, you’ll usually notice a link to a dodgy website within the poorly written text. How do you know that it’s dodgy? Often, it will be imitating a legitimate website, company or business, but it will have a typo in the URL.
Take Australia Post, for example. Their legitimate URL is www.auspost.com.au. But, if an email scammer is trying to trick you into clicking on a fake link, they may include a link to a URL with one letter added – like “auspostt.com.au”, for example.
To the unsuspecting eye, we may not even notice the extra letter and will click through to an often very convincing imitation website that may ask us for payment details.
But be aware – a legitimate email from Australia Post is unlikely to ask you for a credit card or banking details. So, if you’ve clicked on a dodgy site asking for these, you’ve likely come across a scammer.
Tech Tip # 3: Unknown File Source? Avoid Downloading
Lastly, if you don’t recognise the source, avoid downloading any files they send you. This could well be a cybercriminal attempting to install harmful malware on your computer. Think viruses like trojan horses, worms, and spyware—programs intent on stealing your data.
The worst part? Once you’ve downloaded a virus and allowed a hacker access to your personal files, they can gain access to almost all of your digital assets. So, the moral of the story? Don’t download anything from any sources you don’t recognise.
Conclusion:
As a student in the digital era, it pays to be safe and savvy on the internet. You can keep your digital assets secure by keeping your passwords protected, avoiding dodgy links, and refraining from downloading files from unknown sources.
The best part? Staying safe online will allow you to focus on what matters most as a student – getting your assignments done, doing your research and, ultimately, completing your degree.
