Cybersecurity Awareness Month

As the leaves start to change and “spooky season” approaches, October brings about Cybersecurity Awareness Month. The goal of the Technology Department is to provide information and resources about cybersecurity to make it less spooky and more fun! We want to help you and your students stay safe online. 

Cybersecurity Tips for Educators:

Strong Passwords: Teach your students about creating strong, unique passwords. Encourage the use of phrases or combinations of upper and lower-case letters, numbers, and symbols.

Phishing Awareness: Educate yourself and your students on recognizing phishing emails and messages. Be cautious about clicking on links or opening attachments from unknown sources.

Software Updates: Regularly update your operating system, software, and apps. Cybercriminals often target vulnerabilities in outdated software.

Data Privacy: Respect students’ privacy by safeguarding their personal information. Familiarize yourself with data protection regulations like FERPA.

Cybersecurity Tips for Students and Families:

Apart from letting a parent or guardian know, never share your password with anyone. We recommend creating a strong and long password so no one can guess or hack into your accounts.

Never download a file or software online without permission from a parent or guardian. Many attachments, files, and software products may seem fine but can actually contain harmful malware viruses that are bad for your device. If in doubt, check with an adult.

Be wary of the people you talk to on social media. Not everyone is who they say they are on the Internet. For this same reason, never meet up with someone you have met on the Internet without a chaperone or your parent’s or guardian’s permission.

Don’t believe everything you read online is 100 percent factual. “Fake news” is common on the Internet, with many people, outlets or websites spreading false information. Double check with adults or other sources, such as in a library, about what you are wanting to research or learn more about.

As educators, we have the responsibility to help students safely navigate the digital world we live in. Cybersecurity Awareness Month is the perfect time to start or reinforce these important lessons. Check out the resources below if you would like cybersecurity lesson plans or videos for this month. Together, we can help create a safer digital world for all. Remember, you can always send suspicious emails to spam@provo.edu or call the Help Desk (4357). Happy Cybersecurity Awareness Month!

Resources for Educators:

StaySafeOnline.org: The National Cyber Security Alliance offers a wealth of resources, including lesson plans, tip sheets, and interactive games for teaching cybersecurity.

Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA): CISA provides educational materials and tools, including the “Stop. Think. Connect.” campaign, aimed at promoting online safety.

iKeepSafe: iKeepSafe offers a variety of resources for educators, including videos, lesson plans, and guides, to help students become responsible digital citizens.