When learning remotely through online classes, remember to protect yourself from cybercriminals who capitalize on security flaws. Cyber attacks can have long-term consequences, but there are steps you can take to protect yourself.
Welcome to the fifth blog in a series discussing best practices for virtual learning. Check out the blogs that are already available.
Online Classes Tip 1: Get Set Up for Success
Online Classes Tip 2: Ready, Tech, Go
Online Classes Tip 3: Actions to Guide You
Online Classes Tip 4: Staying Physically Fit, Emotionally Strong
Before starting an online class, read these suggestions from a recent Harvard Business Review article.
Phishing for Flaws
Be on the lookout for phishing emails that entice you to let them into your electronic world. Be very skeptical about the latest and greatest offer or emails with urgent instructions from your boss or instructor. These emails are often formatted to look legitimate. Cybercriminals want you to unwittingly download malware onto your device and the institution’s systems.
Remember, if you are suspicious of an email, don’t open it, and don’t click on a link or button. Delete the email or move it to your Spam folder until you confirm it says what it says it is.
Antivirus Software is Vital
Make sure your devices are up-to-date with antivirus protection. You may think all options for effective antivirus software are expensive, but there are free antivirus programs for you to download that offer basic protection.
Your college’s Information Technology office may have low-cost software recommendations, or you can check this list of 2020 software for Windows and this 2020 list for Macintosh.
Secure Passwords
Always use strong, complex passwords with letters, numbers, and a unique character. Enable multi-factor authorization – this requires confirmation from a secondary source, such as a code sent to you by text. According to a report from Microsoft, this step helps prevent more than 99% of attempted account compromises.
Wi-Fi Wisdom
If you must use public Wi-Fi, verify with the owner that the network you’re connecting to is legitimate and secured with a password. Avoid accessing confidential and sensitive information from a public Wi-Fi network. Always report any lost or stolen device immediately to minimize the risk of fraud.
Avoid using Bluetooth in a public place — it is easy for hackers to connect to your device. Only work on secure, password-protected internet connections.
Millions of college students are taking advantage of eLearning via online classes, and with the proper precautions, these convenient and comprehensive classes will provide the knowledge and skills you want.
You might be going for a degree that gives you a foundation for success, such as an associate degree. You might be seeking a bachelor’s or master’s degree. Or, you’re taking online classes as you can, with a long-term goal of entering nursing, dentistry, medical, ophthalmology, or chiropractic school.
Cleveland University-Kansas City (CUKC) is a nonprofit, private, chiropractic and health sciences university in Overland Park, Kansas, within the Kansas City metro. For nearly 100 years, we’ve been on a mission to create a healthier world. It’s a mission where we seek to deliver everything we do at a higher level.
Our degree programs range from an associate degree in biological sciences to associate degrees in healthcare support professions like radiologic technology and occupational therapy assistant to the Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) degree. Many of the prerequisite classes for CUKC degrees are available as online classes. Discover the right CUKC academic degree program for you today by visiting us at Cleveland.edu or connecting with an advisor here.
As a student-centered university, CUKC not only wants you to be “cyber-safe” but to have access to information that will help you make excellent choices for your college education. One very important aspect of higher education is knowing all you can about qualifying for financial aid, using it wisely, and about options for paying back any student loans. That’s why we encourage you to go here for our free eBook: Your Guide to Navigating College Financial Aid.
