Online Safety Guide for High School Students | Antivirus

You learn to drive, you learn about universities, you have a boyfriend or a girlfriend for the first time, you go to parties, you make new friends and you enjoy life! This recently acquired independence comes with new adventures and new experiences. It's easy to get carried away. In addition to your classes and extracurricular activities, an introduction to cybersecurity can help you live this new life in complete safety.

Cybersecurity Tips

Basic Malware Information

You have certainly heard of viruses and malware. But what is it exactly? Malware is a computer program of a malicious nature. These programs can get onto your computer by various means. Once in place, they can get personal information, swallow your essays, or erase your precious vacation photos. To fight malware, you need to install internet security software on your devices and ignore phishing emails and other online fraud.

Basic Phishing Information

Phishing is an online fraud method used by tech-savvy crooks. They employ unsophisticated methods such as sending spam e-mail messages containing links to malicious websites or attachments containing hidden malware. Phishers pretend to be real companies and send spam messages asking for personal information. If you receive a suspicious email message, don't click any links or open any attachments. Instead, go directly to the website in question by entering its URL in the address bar of the browser.

Cyber ​​Harassment

At this point in your life, you may have already experienced an episode of cyberstalking or know someone who has been the victim, because this phenomenon can take many forms: text messages criticizing your personality, rumors or embarrassing photos spread on social media, or third party posting of your personal information online. Whatever happens, cyberbullying should always be reported. If you are the victim of cyberstalking, do not respond to its perpetrator.

If you can, save the messages by taking a screenshot or printing them to report any electronic harassment.

Online Data Privacy

Social media, chats, texts, and blogs can be a fun way to let your friends know about your activities, your location, and even what you're eating. However, you should be careful about sharing this type of personal information with people you consider to be "friends" on the Internet. On the Internet, appearances can be deceiving, so you have to share such information only with people you know personally.

Social Networks and Digital Footprints

Okay, last weekend's party was memorable, some photos attest to, but when it comes to social media, common sense is your best friend. Only post photos that you think everyone can see, including your parents, future employers, or university administrations. Many higher education institutions and businesses know what information is available on public social media pages, and they seek to find out about their potential candidates online. 1 These organizations can decide whether to accept or hire you based on the information they find.

Keep in mind that any deleted information on the Internet never goes away completely, no matter what you do. Yes, even on Snapchat. Make all your social media accounts more secure by checking their security and privacy settings. The majority of sites allow you to define the level of confidentiality of your publications, and if this is not the case, they at least offer the possibility of making a private account.

Of course, many users of social networks make new acquaintances there. However, never meet in person someone you only spoke with on the internet without a friend confirming their identity. The person in question can pose as someone else, in which case it would be "catfishing".

The risks present on social networks do not only concern your publications. Some scammers search for their victims on social media. Seeing a post supposedly from a friend, many will assume that it is legitimate. However, scammers try to hack into an account to gain access to a user's contacts in order to spread their scams. They try to get you to click on malicious links by posting sensational information or trick their victims into disclosing information for free products or gifts if they participate in an investigation. The surveys themselves may not contain malicious links but may serve as a pretext for obtaining your personal information.

Strong Passwords and Secure Accounts

Cybercriminals especially look for user IDs, such as usernames and passwords. Therefore, it is important that you use strong and secure passwords on all of your accounts, including your mobile device. A strong password is a minimum of eight characters long, a random mix of upper and lower case text, numbers, and symbols (and maybe emoticons in the future). Does not use any simple common name, because programs used by hackers to crack passwords search for full words.

To effectively lock down your online accounts, use two-factor authentication (2FA) whenever possible. Two-Factor Authentication is a method of verifying your identity that adds an extra level of security to your account. You use a similar method when you withdraw money from the ATM using a physical object that you have (your bank card) and information that you know (your secret code) to access your account banking.

Essential Information On IT Security

Fortunately, you can count on tools to ensure your protection, not just your knowledge of the Web.

Update the programs on your computer as soon as updates are available. It's so easy to click the "Remind me later" button when this irritating dialog pops up, because you're probably very busy, or you think now is not the right time. If you are working intensively on your computer, you won't find a great time to install these updates, so save your work and don't wait any longer! These updates provide fixes that resolve any security vulnerabilities that hackers seek to exploit to gain access to your computer.

Vigilance doesn't stop at computers. Due to the myriad threats that exist on the Internet, any device connected to the Internet must have Internet security software, such as Protegent360 Security. These programs offer many features that help protect you from online risks that you may not know exist. As you know, knowledge is power. However, defending against cyber threats is a two-step process: it relies on the one hand on your knowledge and on the other hand on a successful cybersecurity program capable of stopping threats that fall through the cracks.

Essential Mobile Security Information

Android phones, iPhones, and applications ... This little object that fits in your loved one is much more than a phone. Cell phones now allow us to do more than just use a computer. This has not gone unnoticed by fraudsters and hackers who are now interested in our smartphones and tablets. Threats and frauds are as numerous for mobile devices as they are for computers.

There are countless apps out there that can do just about everything except your homework (that would be cool, wouldn't it?). As a result, the mobile app market is rife with dangers: apps infested with hidden malware can look like legitimate gaming, instant messaging, and even antivirus software applications.

Learn how to identify a bogus app and use security software on your phone, such as Protegent360 Mobile Security, which can scan an app in the app store for malware or problematic behavior and notify you before you do. downloads it.

This stage of your life is the most exciting so far, especially in a world where technology seems to have no limits. There are countless technologies that can help you succeed in school, take on your responsibilities, and take on new adventures. Now that you're ready to take the plunge and take on the world, you can safely share your adventures with friends, family, and loved ones by following these cybersecurity tips.