Tips to help students prevent home cyberattacks

Learning online from home has become the new norm for many students, as social distancing is implemented across the country to slow the rapidly spreading COVID-19 pandemic. Connected devices are being used virtually nonstop, as students throng the virtual media for e-learning opportunities. Unfortunately, most residential computing networks aren't regularly maintained and monitored to protect against security breaches. This presents hackers with a virtual playground of which to take advantage.

Following are five tips to protect your home network - and the devices connected to it - from hackers.

1. Power down your devices. This disables the internet connection, cutting off access to any personal information stored on your computer, tablet, or phone. Unattended machines are easy targets for hackers, especially if you're asleep.

2. Secure your wireless network. Information accessed on an open network, including email passwords and sensitive bank information, is fair game for hackers. Protect your Wi-Fi network with a strong password that's difficult to guess. Wireless routers that are issued by cable providers are typically assigned a network name and password that's easily located on a label on the device itself. These can be changed using your online account, so do this as soon as possible for added security.

3. Invest in anti-malware software. Malicious software can be installed on your computer without your knowledge so hackers can damage your system, steal personal information, or restrict your access to extort money from you. Anti-malware software helps protect against, detect and remove malware, stopping cybercriminals from doing further damage. Also, avoid downloading music or video files from suspicious websites, and clicking on links or email attachments in messages sent from unknown senders to help prevent malware from infiltrating your system.

4. Install the recommended updates. Smartphones, computers, tablets, and smart TV manufacturers, among other providers of connected devices, offer periodic software updates to protect against potential security breaches. Chances are if an update is recommended, hackers have already discovered a way to access your personal property and information, so keep your software up to date. Set your devices to install auto-updates when possible.

5. Beware of phishing scams. Phishing scams aren't new, but hackers continually use more sophisticated email - and even text messages - to trick people into providing their personal information. Once again, do not click on the links or attachments in messages from unknown senders.