There are so many challenges you could easily forget about cybersecurity. However, with most children now studying online, they are inevitably exposed to cyber risks ranging from online predators to cyber bullying and impersonation.
We are now in a time that has posed a concern for cybersecurity more than ever before.
The top six cyber threats are children, parents, and homes exposed to doing virtual learning.
1. Phishing email messages are designed to try to get learners to share their personal information without realizing it. In many cases, the scammer will use the student’s identity to access their information and access a restricted system.
2. Malware that causes damage, disruption, or other interruptions on a computer. Viruses can be spread by user action, such as by plugging a USB drive into an infected computer and they’re also frequently attached to email files, often in documents that a user is expected to open like a Microsoft Office document, a PDF, a ZIP, or an executable program.
3. Cyberstalking: Continuous harassment, including threats of physical harm. Cyberstalkers can be either strangers or people they may know, and there are many different motives.
4. Identity theft/impersonation (Stolen credentials): Stealing their passwords and/ or hijacking their online accounts to send or post incriminating or humiliating pictures, videos, and information. Images can also be photoshopped to place victims in compromising or embarrassing situations.
5. Breach of privacy: Spreading gossip through email, text messaging, or social networking sites like Facebook.
6. The triple threat – phishing, smishing, and vishing.
Copyright Mustapha B Mugisa, 2020. All rights reserved.
