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With the new school year just around the corner, most parents will be frantically searching for the various uniform items, stationary products and digital devices that their children and young adults will need for their academic pursuits. But one extremely important area that can be overlooked is how to ensure students’ online safety in everyday life. It’s not that parents don’t care, on the contrary, it can be difficult to know what threats exist and how to guard against them.
All Gen is a company that has been at the forefront of protecting the digital aspects of life for decades, thanks to brands like Norton and Avast. Here are some practical tips to ensure your children don’t fall victim to the dark elements lurking online.
Young people live much of their online lives through social media apps such as TikTok and Snapchat. It can be extremely disturbing if those accounts are hacked and then used to post nasty messages or send direct messages to people in their contacts. This type of technique can also be used to bully a child, using the public profile to support things they are against or to cause trouble with friends or fellow students if rude or suggestive messages are sent on their behalf. Worst of all, once inside an account, hackers can change the password, locking the child out.
Password protection is the key to preventing this because children can tend to use the same passwords for all sites, meaning that if someone can get their hands on one, they have complete control over the child’s digital profile.
This can be avoided by teaching them to use different account credentials for their apps, never sharing the credentials with anyone, setting up multi-factor authentication, installing antivirus software to prevent malware attacks, or using a password manager that provides unique and can create difficult-to-create passwords. to hack logins to their accounts.
If you are concerned that your child may be a victim of this type of harassing behavior or other forms of cyberbullying, you can contact the National Bullying Helpline for more advice. September 2024 is Cyberbullying Awareness Month, so it’s good to know that help is available for this serious problem.
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Getty Images
Getty Images
Webcam hijackings
A scary technique used by hackers is to gain control of the webcam on a laptop or phone and then watch its owner. If the device is in their bedroom, it could mean the hacker is watching them undress and can even take photos. These can then be used to blackmail the terrified target, or all the information gathered can be used to manipulate the child or young adult.
This hack is usually achieved by sending phishing emails with links that you can click and then download malware to the device. It’s easy to fall for the bait and can lead to very disturbing consequences.
You can usually tell if the webcam is active by the light next to the lens that turns on when it is in use. This can be disabled by advanced hacking techniques. We therefore recommend that you place a piece of insulation tape over the lens if this is not necessary. It’s also a good idea to close a laptop when not in use, just like placing phones face down. You can read more about how to fix this problem in Norton’s How do you know if someone is watching you through your phone’s camera? guide.
VPN for public WiFi
Because young people now travel alone with their phones or laptops, there is a good chance that they will use public Wi-Fi to go online. While authentic networks are fine to use, it’s not difficult for hackers to set up fake networks that can then lead unwary children to versions of websites that steal their information. That’s why it’s always a good idea to use a VPN when logging into public networks, as they encrypt all information so hackers can’t see what the kids are doing.
Identity theft
Another scary attack that often occurs is identity theft. This can be caused by malware that scans emails, web activity and other documents to find national insurance details or other personal data. These are then used to set up various accounts, all of which can ultimately ruin a young adult’s credit score, meaning they may struggle to get student loans as they continue their studies or try to rent a place to live.
Being a victim of identity theft may be due to factors completely outside your control. But by ensuring they keep their devices free of malware, not sharing images that may contain sensitive information, and generally taking good care of their data, they can be protected. If you would like more information on how to address this issue, you can read the Norton guide at Identity theft.
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Getty Images
Getty Images
How to stay on top of all threats
As you can see, protecting your child online can be a herculean task. Therefore, you need to use a range of tactics to keep them safe. In addition to the tips mentioned above, there are also a range of software solutions that can help bear the heavy burden of fighting hackers.
Security legend Norton has several packages specifically designed to prevent malware and other infiltration techniques from endangering a child’s online life. Norton 360 Deluxe includes antivirus and malware protection, a password manager, VPN, privacy monitor and parental controls that can be used on 5 devices. There’s a Back to School deal available until September 12, 2024, so you can get the first annual subscription for €19.99, which is a saving of 33%! If you want coverage for up to 10 devices, plus support for identity recovery, credit alerts, and stolen wallet assistance, then the Norton 360 Advanced package is also available for purchase, with the first year’s subscription reduced by 29% to £24.99.
Another excellent option is Avast Onewhich supports 3 devices and comes with malware protection, a VPN, password monitoring, webcam protection, scam email alerts, and a host of other security features. It’s also available on a special Back to School deal until September 12, 2024, meaning it costs just £22.69 for the first year.
Ensuring your child stays safe online can be overwhelming, but by taking a few practical steps, educating them about the dangers and getting help from specialist apps, you can help them avoid the threats and enjoy everything the internet and its children have to offer. devices have to offer.