Computers can make life much easier for college students, but they can also pose great danger. Some computer safety tips for college students courtesy of AVG:
- Use a strong and different password for each of your accounts.
- Do not share your password or leave it where it can be found.
- Be wary of any Facebook or Twitter app, site or email that asks you for login info.
- Be sure to log out of your accounts when done.
- Avoid logging in from a friend’s computer. They could have purposefully installed a keylogger or fallen prey to spyware without knowing it.
- If somebody sends you a link, confirm the sender’s intent before clicking as it could have been sent from a hijacked account. Be especially careful if the message that accompanies the link is particularly tempting – i.e., “OMG is that you in this pic?”
- Install an online security solution that includes anti-phishing features.
- Use a spyware scanner to check for keylogging software a ‘friend’ may have installed while using your computer.
- Remember your accounts are never 100% safe. Be careful of what kind of information you store on your account in case of a break-in.
It’s easy to get complacent when you use the computer every day and spend many hours online. But you should always be vigilant when using a computer and take precautions to protect your login information. Protecting your computer doesn’t have to be expensive. You can download AVG’s free anti-viral software here.