Oliver Page
Case study
December 16, 2024
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Students face online threats every day. From phishing scams to unsafe Wi-Fi hotspots, cybercriminals see students as an easy target, and teachers can play a vital role in protecting students online.
Just like we teach students to lock their lockers and watch for strangers, we must teach them to secure their digital lives. These ten cybersecurity tips for students guide them toward safer online activity.
In other words, if you care for the safety of your school students, this guide is for you.
Students today spend more time online than any generation before them. They use the internet for homework, socializing, gaming, and entertainment. This makes them prime targets for cybercriminals who want to steal personal information or cause harm.
70% of students use their personal devices for schoolwork, but many don't know basic online safety rules. In the last year alone, cybercriminals stole the personal information of thousands of students through school data breaches. These attacks didn't just target big universities; they hit elementary schools and high schools as well.
Students face unique risks online. Many of them share passwords with friends, use the same simple password for all their accounts, or click on suspicious links without checking them first. They often fall for social media scams that promise free items or gaming currency.
Some students even download games and movies from unsafe websites, putting their devices and personal information at risk.
Money isn't the only thing at stake. Cybercriminals can steal a student's identity and use it for years before anyone notices.
This can damage the student's credit score and make it harder for them to get college loans or jobs in the future. Some students also face cyberbullying or online harassment, which can affect their mental health and school performance.
Teachers play a crucial role in protecting students online. Students trust their teachers and are more likely to follow online safety advice that comes from them. When teachers make cybersecurity a regular part of their lessons, students learn to spot online dangers and protect themselves.
The good news is that most cyberattacks on students can be prevented with basic security practices. Simple steps like using strong passwords and avoiding suspicious links can stop most attacks before they happen.
That's why it's so important for teachers to understand these security basics and pass them on to their students.
As teachers, you need to give your students the tools to protect themselves online. Here are ten key cybersecurity tips you can teach in your classroom to keep your students safe in the digital age:
Strong passwords stand between your students and anyone who wants to steal their information. Most students pick passwords that are easy to guess, like their birth date or pet's name. Others use the same password for all their accounts because it's easier to remember.
Tell your students that using one password for everything is like having one key that opens their house, car, and school locker. If someone steals that key, they can get into everything. Each account needs its own strong password.
Plus, the password itself must be strong.
A strong password must include uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. However, students often try to meet these rules in predictable ways. Many add "123!" to the end of their password. Hackers know this trick, so it doesn't make the password any safer.
Instead, teach students to create passwords they can remember, but others can't guess. One method is to pick a sentence they won't forget and turn it into a password. For example, "I love pizza and ice cream!" becomes "IlPiz&IceCr!"
Managing many different passwords is hard, so introduce your students to password managers like Bit Warden These tools safely store all their passwords, so they only need to remember one master password. It's like having a secure digital safe for all their keys.
Regular password changes also help keep accounts safe. Ask your students to update their passwords every few months, especially for important accounts like email and social media.
Two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security to your students' accounts. Even if someone steals their password, they still can't get in without this second security check.
Google Authenticator makes two-factor authentication simple. When students set it up, they scan a QR code with their phone.
The app then creates a unique code that changes every 30 seconds. Students need this code, along with their password, to log in. Since the code changes so often, hackers can't use old code to break in.
Make sure your students understand that two-factor authentication might seem like an extra hassle, but it's worth the few extra seconds it takes to log in. Many students who lost their accounts to hackers wish they had turned it on sooner.
You might find that some of your students already know about this. Many platforms your students use every day now require two-factor authentication.
Steam, Epic Games, and other gaming services have made it a standard feature because it stops hackers from stealing gaming accounts and items that can be worth real money.
Your students need to know about phishing because it's one of the most common ways hackers steal information. Phishing, in simple terms, is when someone pretends to be a trusted person or company to trick people into sharing personal information.
Show your students real examples of phishing attempts. These often come as emails or messages that create a false sense of urgency: "Your account will be deleted in 24 hours!" or "You've won a prize, but you must claim it now!" Hackers want students to act quickly without thinking.
Some phishing messages look like they're from Netflix, Instagram, or other services your students use.
They might say there's a problem with the account or ask students to "verify" their information. The message often includes a link to a fake website that looks real but steals any information students type in.
Teach students to spot the warning signs. Real companies don't ask for passwords through email. They don't threaten to close accounts immediately. And they definitely don't offer amazing prizes out of nowhere. If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is.
Tell your students always to check the sender's email address carefully. Phishing emails often use addresses that look similar to real ones but have small differences. For example, "netf1ix.com" instead of "netflix.com"or "paypa1.com" instead of "paypal.com"
Related : Top 10 Phishing Techniques Exposed - Stay One Step Ahead of Cybercriminals
Teach Your Students About Domain Ratings A website's domain rating tells you how trustworthy it is. Domain ratings work like a credit score for websites. The higher the rating, the more likely the website is safe and legitimate.
Students can check domain ratings using tools like AHREFS Domain Checker Most reliable websites have high domain ratings. Many shady websites score below 10 because other legitimate sites don't want to link to them.
However, students must know that domain ratings alone can't guarantee a website is safe. Some scam websites manage to get high ratings. That's why students need to combine this knowledge with their phishing awareness. A high domain rating is a good sign, but students should still watch for other warning signs we discussed in the phishing section.
Show your students how to use the AHREFS Domain Checker. Pull up some websites they know and trust, like Google or their school's website. Then, show them some obviously suspicious websites. The difference in ratings will help them understand what to look for.
Students often want to handle online problems themselves. Some feel embarrassed about falling for scams. Others worry they'll get in trouble if they report something. You need to change this mindset in your classroom.
Create an environment where students feel safe reporting suspicious activity. Tell them that reporting threats helps protect everyone, not just themselves. If one student gets a phishing email, others probably get it, too. Quick reporting lets the school's IT team warn and protect all students.
Make the reporting process simple. Give students clear instructions on what to report and who to contact. The school's IT department should be their first stop for any suspicious emails, messages, or websites they find on school devices.
For personal devices, they should tell their parents and report it to the platform where they found it.
Remind students that cybersecurity experts don't fight threats alone. They work in teams and share information about new dangers. Your students should do the same. The goal isn't to handle threats alone but to help everyone stay safe online.
Related :How to Report a Website for Scamming to Google: A Comprehensive Guide
Many students want free movies, games, and software. Torrent websites promise these things, but they put students' internet security at serious risk. Torrents often hide viruses that can infect computers and steal sensitive information.
Students must understand that torrents aren't just free downloads. When they use torrent sites, they connect their computer directly to strangers' computers.
This connection lets viruses and malware slip right past their security. Even if their operating system has the latest security patches, torrents can still cause damage.
Tell your students that torrents that offer free content are illegal. Companies and artists lose money when people download their work without paying. More importantly, torrents are perfect hiding spots for cybercriminals.
These criminals know students want free stuff, so they put dangerous files on torrent sites and wait for victims.
Students and teens are getting more scam phone calls than ever before. Scammers use automatic updates to their scripts and voice-changing technology to sound official. They pretend to be banks and hospitals in a way that can fool even college students.
Students need to know how these scams work. A typical scam call might say there's a problem with their account or suspicious messages on their record. The caller asks them to "verify" their identity or "update" their information. Once students share this information, scammers can steal their money or identity.
Help students identify scam calls with these warning signs:
Related : Cybersecurity Alert: Beware of Callback Phishing
Your students need to understand the difference between public and private Wi-Fi networks. A private network is like their home Wi-Fi, protected with a password they or their family chose. These networks encrypt data, making it hard for others to see what users do online.
Public Wi-Fi is different. Coffee shops, libraries, and airports offer free Wi-Fi to everyone. Students love these networks because they save mobile data. However, public Wi-Fi creates serious security risks. Anyone can join these networks, including people who want to steal information.
Tell your students to treat public Wi-Fi like a crowded public space. They shouldn't check their bank accounts, shop online, or log into important accounts. If they must use public Wi-Fi, they should use a VPN service to protect their data.
The internet makes communication instant and anonymous. Students often say things online they'd never say in person because a screen protects them. But online actions have real consequences.
Online harassment can escalate quickly. What starts as a mean comment might turn into serious threats. Some people track down others' personal information and share it online. This can lead to real-world confrontations and legal problems.
Students must understand their digital footprint lasts forever. Future employers, colleagues, and friends can find old posts and comments. A moment of online anger could harm their future opportunities.
Good online citizens build positive digital reputations. They:
Tell students to pause before posting anything online. They should ask themselves: "Would I say this to someone's face? Would I want my family to see this? Could this hurt someone?" These simple questions can prevent many online problems.
Students are increasingly exposed to AI-generated content like deepfake videos and AI-crafted phishing scams. These tools can deceive users, spread misinformation, or trick people into sharing personal information.
In 2023, scammers created a deepfake of popular YouTuber MrBeast, promising to give away $10,000 to anyone who clicked on a link and provided their personal details.
The video looked so real that thousands of kids and teenagers fell for it, thinking it was a genuine giveaway. Instead, the link led to a phishing site that stole their information.
Teach students to question content, even if it features their favorite celebrities or influencers. Remind them that platforms like YouTube and Instagram rarely host giveaways outside of official accounts, and they should double-check the source before engaging.
Here are some quick tips to share with them:
Our digital world offers amazing opportunities for students, but it also brings serious risks. Teachers who share these security tips help students build lifelong safety habits. From using multi-factor authentication to being careful about opening attachments, each step makes students safer online.
But teaching cybersecurity doesn't have to be hard. CyberNut's K12 Cybersecurity Solution makes it simple and engaging. Our program uses quick micro-training and gamification to keep students interested.
Unlike traditional security training, Cybernut was built specifically for schools, with input from educators who understand your needs. More than 5,000 faculty members already trust CyberNut to protect their school communities. Request a demo so you can join them in building a cyber-secure future for your students.
Also Read: Cyber Security Training Urgent for Educational Safety
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