5 Best Practices for Students When Using the Web

The internet plays a huge role in the daily lives of students, from social media to games to online storage. It’s important to have the tools and knowledge you need to protect yourself online.

We’ve compiled these tips to help our students protect themselves and their information on the web. 

Downloading

Be cautious when downloading applications and files from the internet. Protect yourself from viruses and privacy breaches by only downloading content from trustworthy websites. If the website looks questionable, don’t download! As an additional security measure, always run a virus scan on any downloaded files before opening them.

Password Security

Keep your passwords protected. Always keep track of your passwords in a private and secure space. Never share your passwords with friends or strangers and don’t use the same passwords for everything. Always use strong passwords with numbers, symbols, and upper and lowercase letters.

Sharing Personal Information

Be mindful when sharing personal information. Personal information can include anything that can help identify who you are or where you live, such as your name or where you go to school. Avoid sharing security information as well, like your passwords, email address, or phone number.

Privacy Settings

Privacy settings can protect your information on various sites, especially social media. Social media accounts should be set to friends only to avoid exposing your account to everyone on the internet. Check your settings regularly and adjust them to your needs.

Wi-Fi Safety

Free Wi-Fi is available almost everywhere! But it’s important to be cautious when using public wi-fi. To avoid putting yourself at risk, use secure Wi-Fi networks and avoid using public Wi-Fi to access important documents or personal information.

Post by Elizabeth Jones, FLVS Social Media Team