Safety & Security for Distance Learners

Introduction

• Importance of online safety and security for distance learners
• Personal anecdote about a fake lottery email to illustrate the need for caution

Being Safe & Secure Digitally

• Definition of digital safety and security
• Key practices:
  • Use strong passwords for digital accounts
  • Keep personal details secret
  • Be aware of hoaxes, scams, and tricks

Reasons for Digital Safety

• Protecting personal information
  • Avoid revealing details like phone numbers
  • University platforms may be more public than private
• Data protection laws
  • Control over, access to, and use of data stored in computers
• Risks of losing money and identity theft
  • Access to emails, bank accounts, and credit cards by dishonest individuals

Practical Steps for Online Safety

1. Strengthening Passwords

   • Evaluate the strength of passwords
   • Avoid easy-to-guess passwords (names, birthdays, pets)
   • Use a mix of characters (upper/lower case, numbers, symbols)
   • Consider using random letters/numbers or short phrases

2. Handling Personal Details

   • Only provide personal information to trusted and secure websites
   • Look for "https" in website URLs and a padlock symbol
   • Verify correct spelling of website addresses to avoid fake sites

3. Awareness of Scams and Phishing

   • Be skeptical of unsolicited emails or offers that seem too good to be true
   • Recognize the risks of ransomware

Tools for Online Safety

• Use up-to-date anti-virus software
• Keep your operating system updated
• Employ password manager programs for strong password generation and storage
• Use common sense to stay safe online

Conclusion

• Importance of vigilance and common sense in digital environments
• Humor about a new laptop to illustrate the ongoing theme of awareness in online interactions.