How Students Can Stay Secure Online in London

Internet safety for students

So much of what we do is online, from banking to shopping and even dating. It’s convenient and helpful, but it also means that a lot of your personal information is stored online. More than ever, it’s important to responsibly manage your digital safety and learn about potential cyber threats, scams and fraudulent activity. That way, you can spot them early and build healthy online habits. 

Why Digital Safety for Students Matters 

Scammers are getting creative with how they try to catch you. From phishing emails to targeting open networks and even identity fraud. That’s why we’ve put together a list of handy internet safety tips for students.

1. Secure Your Devices

We’ve all been on a night out talking and dancing with friends. One minute, your phone is in your pocket. Next, it’s on the dance floor. You’ve left the venue none the wiser. Accidents happen, but your device security could be the difference between an oops and a panic of cancelled cards and password changes. Your phone, tablet or laptop is one of the most accessible ways for people to access your data, so they must be secure. 

Eight Tips for Better Device Security

• Set a strong password.

• Don’t reuse passwords between devices. 

• Lock your device in shared spaces.

• Don’t write down passwords on paper or shared notes. 

• Set up 2 or 3-factor authentication on apps and website logins from your device. 

• Set up face and/or fingerprint recognition.

• Activate security features like “Find my iPhone,” which allow you to lock, track and even wipe your phone remotely. 

Online threats, like malware, can get onto your phone or laptop through unsafe websites and links. Make sure your phone has received the latest updates and download antivirus software that will detect any risks and notify you of them. Using a VPN is also a safer way to browse online, keeping your identity private. Services like Norton 360 offer a VPN and antivirus service with a free trial. 

2. Be Smart with Public Wi-Fi

Everybody loves free Wi-Fi. You can set up your laptop for those long study sessions in your favourite café or on the train home to see your family. However, open networks are often unsecured and can be targets for hackers. When connecting to an open network is unavoidable, use a VPN for safe browsing. Proton is a popular option for students as it offers a complimentary VPN service. 

3. Recognise and Avoid Phishing/Scams

Increasingly, phishing emails are being circulated to students, claiming to be from a member of university staff or the university itself. HMRC scams and fake parcel delivery texts or emails are also common. These communications will often ask you to click through a link they’ve provided and give personal information like your bank details. 

Five Tips for Spotting Suspicious Messages

• Note whether the message introduction is generic or references your name. 

• Check for spelling and grammatical errors in the correspondence. 

Bad spelling or grammar is a quick giveaway if you receive a phishing email.

• Ask yourself if you were expecting a text or email. 

Ignore messages from an unknown recipient requesting you to follow a link or open an attachment.

• Note if there is a sense of urgency to provide information, open a link or download an attachment. 

This is a scare tactic to compromise your judgment.

• Check the domain name for inconsistencies with official correspondences.

If you receive a phishing email imitating the university or a member of staff, make sure to notify them immediately. As a rule of thumb, delete the correspondence and make sure not to click any links or attachments. 

4. Privacy on Social Media

Open social media accounts allow people to access everything you put online, from your location and schedule to details about your family. AI use also means that your photos could be used in ways that you don’t intend. Where you can adjust the privacy settings on your Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook to help protect your information and make sure it isn’t misused.

5. Secure Online Banking & Shopping

Having your bank details saved online for a quick checkout is convenient. But be selective about which websites and apps you save your card on. Choose a secure payment service like Apple Pay when you can. Also, look for HTTPS websites when shopping, as these are significantly more secure. 

A helpful security feature for spending online is bank alerts for transactions. Activate bank alerts through your banking app to receive updates whenever money leaves your account. 

6. Digital Footprint Awareness

All of your online activity leaves a digital footprint, from the websites you visit to the emails and messages you send. Employers or universities can even find out information about you based on your public data. To find out what information is available about you online, try googling yourself. If there is anything you don’t want visible, adjust your relevant privacy settings or request its removal.

Three Simple Tips for Cleaning Up Your Digital Footprints 

• Adjust your privacy settings to limit the information available about you.

• Delete or deactivate unused accounts.

• Regularly clear your browsing data and cookies.

Internet Safety Resources for Students

Moving away from university is a big step toward independence, as is taking charge of your online safety. Chapter are here to support you every step of the way. Find out about other helpful topics through our student blog, like how to beat homesickness studying abroad, or the must-have items for your student room.