People use passwords to secure data, services, applications, or systems from intruders or unauthorized access.
For college students, password protection should be a priority when using any online platform or essay writing services that offer to do my homework assignment. Why? It provides a security checkpoint for safeguarding their personal information, like credit card history, etc.
Below, we’ll share comprehensive insights into password security and tips for increasing your online safety.
Common Cybersecurity Challenges College Students Encounter
If you spend too much time online, you expose yourself to the following cyber threats:
Phishing scams
One of the threats you could encounter online includes phishing scams. How does phishing work? Hackers usually send SMS or emails disguising themselves as legitimate organizations, such as universities or financial institutions. These emails are crafted to trick students into filling out their details in exposed online forms.
Once you click on the email, they gain access to your system and all your data through a backdoor—which they can use for further exploits.
Malware attack
Malware is software designed to disrupt, damage, or steal information from a system or device. College students unwittingly download files from the internet or open mail attachments that contain malware.
To avoid falling victim, you must be cautious about the websites you visit and the writing services you use. One way to ensure you are visiting the right website and using a reputable essay writing service to provide you with a correct article review template is by checking writing service reviews before submitting your details.
Ransomware attack
Hackers can use ransomware to hold your device hostage until you pay the ransom to some shady online account. But even if you decide to pay it, there are no guarantees that they will give you back access to your account.
Why Do Most Passwords Get Compromised?
Here are some reasons why passwords fall under threat online:
- Lack of password security awareness: Many college students don’t know the best practices for creating strong and unique passwords and keeping them secure. In general, don’t expose your passwords when in public.
- Reuse of passwords: Creating and using the same password for multiple accounts makes it very easy for hackers to gain unauthorized access to multiple accounts if one password is compromised.
- Public WiFi networks: Since college students often use public WiFi networks on campus, they render their devices and accounts vulnerable to hackers.
- Lack of two-factor authentication: Most college websites and applications may not implement two-factor authentication, making it easy for hackers to access the students’ accounts with just one breach.
6 Password Security Tips You Should Know
Let’s check out some best security practices to keep your passwords secure.
Change your passwords regularly
Since hackers constantly look for vulnerabilities to steal people’s personal information, college students should stay ahead by regularly changing their passwords. This will keep them safe from massive data breaches.
Avoid cliche passwords
Most people, including college students, resort to memorable passwords containing “0000,” “1234,” phone numbers, and dates of birth. Don’t use these weak passcodes. A computer can guess them in less than 10 minutes.
Instead, combine letters, symbols, and numbers to create strong and unique account passwords. A strong password is at least 12 characters long, with a mixture of lowercase, uppercase, symbols, and numbers. You can use the Google Password generator to find strong password suggestions for your online accounts.
Enable two-factor authentication
2FA (two-factor authentication) allows you to add extra layers of security to your accounts. This could be an OTP or a passcode from an authenticator app. With 2FA, anybody trying to access your account will have to pass additional authentication even if they succeed in guessing your password.
Steer clear of public WiFi networks
Accessing public networks puts your device and online profiles at risk since those public networks are also used by hackers. These criminals can use different techniques to retrieve your passwords whenever you join the network.
So, instead of using your bank app or logging on to Facebook on the library WiFi, look for a secure network or use a virtual private network (VPN) to encrypt your internet traffic and IP address.
Don’t fall for phishing scams
Be wary of emails or texts asking for login data or personal information. Even if the links come from Microsoft or your high school friend, never click on suspicious links or download attachments if you don’t recognize the email.
Use a password manager
A password manager is an app that can generate strong and unique passwords for each account and keep them safe and encrypted. These apps are fantastic because they do the heavy lifting and remove the stress of remembering passwords.
You can rely on the Google Password Manager or third-party solutions like LastPass or BitWarden.
Conclusion
College students are more vulnerable to cyber threats due to their extensive use of the internet and lack of awareness of the involved risks. When shopping online or using the best research paper writing services, always use a VPN and 2FA to add an extra layer of security.
To keep your data safe, you should adopt better password habits and be able to take security measures when sharing information online.
Online Threat Alerts Security Tips
Pay the safest way
Credit cards are the safest way to pay for online purchases because you can dispute the charges if you never get the goods or services or if the offer was misrepresented. Federal law limits your liability to $50 if someone makes unauthorized charges to your account, and most credit card issuers will remove them completely if you report the problem promptly.
Guard your personal information
In any transaction you conduct, make sure to check with your state or local consumer protection agency and the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to see if the seller, charity, company, or organization is credible. Be especially wary if the entity is unfamiliar to you. Always call the number found on a website’s contact information to make sure the number legitimately belongs to the entity you are dealing with.
Be careful of the information you share
Never give out your codes, passwords or personal information, unless you are sure of who you're dealing with
Know who you’re dealing with
Crooks pretending to be from companies you do business with may call or send an email, claiming they need to verify your personal information. Don’t provide your credit card or bank account number unless you are actually paying for something and know who you are sending payment to. Your social security number should not be necessary unless you are applying for credit. Be especially suspicious if someone claiming to be from a company with whom you have an account asks for information that the business already has.
Check your accounts
Regularly check your account transactions and report any suspicious or unauthorised transactions.
Don’t believe promises of easy money
If someone claims that you can earn money with little or no work, get a loan or credit card even if you have bad credit, or make money on an investment with little or no risk, it’s probably a scam. Oftentimes, offers that seem too good to be true, actually are too good to be true.
Do not open email from people you don’t know
If you are unsure whether an email you received is legitimate, try contacting the sender directly via other means. Do not click on any links in an email unless you are sure it is safe.
Think before you click
If an email or text message looks suspicious, don’t open any attachments or click on the links.
Verify urgent requests or unsolicited emails, messages or phone calls before you respond
If you receive a message or a phone call asking for immediate action and don't know the sender, it could be a phishing message.
Be careful with links and new website addresses
Malicious website addresses may appear almost identical to legitimate sites. Scammers often use a slight variation in spelling or logo to lure you. Malicious links can also come from friends whose email has unknowingly been compromised, so be careful.
Secure your personal information
Before providing any personal information, such as your date of birth, Social Security number, account numbers, and passwords, be sure the website is secure.
Stay informed on the latest cyber threats
Keep yourself up to date on current scams by visiting this website daily.
Use Strong Passwords
Strong passwords are critical to online security.
Keep your software up to date and maintain preventative software programs
Keep all of your software applications up to date on your computers and mobile devices. Install software that provides antivirus, firewall, and email filter services.
Update the operating systems on your electronic devices
Make sure your operating systems (OSs) and applications are up to date on all of your electronic devices. Older and unpatched versions of OSs and software are the target of many hacks. Read the CISA security tip on Understanding Patches and Software Updates for more information.
What if You Got Scammed?
Stop Contact With The Scammer
Hang up the phone. Do not reply to emails, messages, or letters that the scammer sends. Do not make any more payments to the scammer. Beware of additional scammers who may contact you claiming they can help you get your lost money back.
Secure Your Finances
- Report potentially compromised bank account, credit or debit card information to your financial institution(s) immediately. They may be able to cancel or reverse fraudulent transactions.
- Notify the three major credit bureaus. They can add a fraud alert to warn potential credit grantors that you may be a victim of identity theft. You may also want to consider placing a free security freeze on your credit report. Doing so prevents lenders and others from accessing your credit report entirely, which will prevent them from extending credit:
- Equifax
- Experian
- TransUnion
Check Your Computer
If your computer was accessed or otherwise affected by a scam, check to make sure that your anti-virus is up-to-date and running and that your system is free of malware and keylogging software. You may also need to seek the help of a computer repair company. Consider utilizing the Better Business Bureau’s website to find a reputable company.
Change Your Account Passwords
Update your bank, credit card, social media, and email account passwords to try to limit further unauthorized access. Make sure to choose strong passwords when changing account passwords.
Report The Scam
Reporting helps protect others. While agencies can’t always track down perpetrators of crimes against scammers, they can utilize the information gathered to record patterns of abuse which may lead to action being taken against a company or industry.
Report your issue to the following agencies based on the nature of the scam:
- Local Law Enforcement: Consumers are encouraged to report scams to their local police department or sheriff’s office, especially if you lost money or property or had your identity compromised.
- Federal Trade Commission: Contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357) or use the Online Complaint Assistant to report various types of fraud, including counterfeit checks, lottery or sweepstakes scams, and more.
- Identitytheft.gov: If someone is using your personal information, like your Social Security, credit card, or bank account number, to open new accounts, make purchases, or get a tax refund, report it at www.identitytheft.gov. This federal government site will also help you create your Identity Theft Report and a personal recovery plan based on your situation. Questions can be directed to 877-ID THEFT.
How To Recognize a Phishing Scam
Scammers use email or text messages to try to steal your passwords, account numbers, or Social Security numbers. If they get that information, they could get access to your email, bank, or other accounts. Or they could sell your information to other scammers. Scammers launch thousands of phishing attacks like these every day — and they’re often successful.
Scammers often update their tactics to keep up with the latest news or trends, but here are some common tactics used in phishing emails or text messages:
Phishing emails and text messages often tell a story to trick you into clicking on a link or opening an attachment. You might get an unexpected email or text message that looks like it’s from a company you know or trust, like a bank or a credit card or utility company. Or maybe it’s from an online payment website or app. The message could be from a scammer, who might
- say they’ve noticed some suspicious activity or log-in attempts — they haven’t
- claim there’s a problem with your account or your payment information — there isn’t
- say you need to confirm some personal or financial information — you don’t
- include an invoice you don’t recognize — it’s fake
- want you to click on a link to make a payment — but the link has malware
- say you’re eligible to register for a government refund — it’s a scam
- offer a coupon for free stuff — it’s not real
About Online Threat Alerts (OTA)
Online Threat Alerts or OTA is an anti-cybercrime community that started in 2012. OTA alerts the public to cyber crimes and other web threats.
By alerting the public, we have prevented a lot of online users from getting scammed or becoming victims of cybercrimes.
With the ever-increasing number of people going online, it important to have a community like OTA that continuously alerts or protects those same people from cyber-criminals, scammers and hackers, who are every day finding new ways of carrying out their malicious activities.
Online users can help by reporting suspicious or malicious messages or websites to OTA. And, if they want to determine if a message or website is a threat or scam, they can use OTA's search engine to search for the website or parts of the message for information.
Help maintain Online Threat Alerts (OTA).