There will be risks for virtual education due to COVID-19. These times have seen increases in the volume of information exchanged by professors and students among themselves and between the university systems. To reduce the danger, not only must ICT departments take action, but end-users must be aware of some basic precautions.
Everyone involved should know that even though hackers have multiple avenues to attack computer networks, the greatest vulnerability of any organization lies in human error. For example, opening phishing emails or browsing infected websites can result in ransomware attacks, such as those that have recently threatened the healthcare industry.
Phishing, ransomware, and malware are among the top risk factors faced by students, professors, and universities. Since many students don’t see cybersecurity as really important, they can be easy prey for hackers who find it relatively easy to fool them with malicious emails.
Another problem can arise from the choice of insecure passwords. Students, like many people, tend to use the same password on multiple sites and are often easy words to guess. In addition, the abundant personal information they post on social media can make it easier for hackers. Some risks to virtual education due to COVID-19 will be those inherent to the great heterogeneity of equipment that both teachers and students will use during the emergency.
How we can avoid these risks of Virtual education
That is why it is recommended to be attentive in the following aspects to counteract the risks that online education entails.
▸Mobile security
Mobile devices, such as cell phones and others, are increasingly used for remote learning. That is why institutions must protect local access networks for these computers, since a single unprotected device can compromise an entire school network.
▸Use a VPN
Both school personnel and students need to be connected to a school network to have access to various applications that they will use during their learning. These tools are mainly located in the cloud, such as file sharing apps, email, among others. The virtual private network, or VPN, offers secure remote access to users and keeps the data that flows within that network encrypted and protected.
▸Phishing education
Phishing is currently one of the most latent risks in cybersecurity. Students, teachers and staff in general of institutions are exposed to being manipulated to click on malicious links that can provide cybercriminals with access to the school network and valuable information. The best way to counteract these types of risks is through user awareness and training.
