Avoid fraud and stay safe online

Online safety is a primary concern for students, as you’ll be spending a lot of time looking up resources on the internet, sending emails to your lecturers and completing assignments online.

Find out more on how to protect yourself online and increase your cyber security awareness

There are different ways to ensure that you remain safe online and your data is kept private. Here is a selection of advice that can prevent cyber-attacks and ensure a safe online experience:

Check your protection software regularly

Make sure you scan for malware and bugs regularly to keep your devices safe.

Sophos Antivirus is free and available for all students.

Avoid logging into unsecured networks without protective software

Although it can be convenient to use free Wi-Fi, remember that these are not regulated by anyone and therefore could be unsafe, increasing the chances of exposing your data to risk.

Secure your account

Make sure you change your passwords regularly, and use passwords that are hard to guess. Where possible, set up additional verification, e.g. to receive a text message when you sign into an account.

Use official email address

If you are emailing a lecturer or any university department, make sure you use your University of Bedfordshire email address. Do not respond directly to any emails that have been sent by an external source, especially if the email is unexpected, asks you to confirm personal information or looks suspicious in any way.

Phishing and data-stealing

Links and downloads, phishing emails or phone calls can aim to trick you into revealing personal information such as passwords or bank details. Be aware that if it is an unrecognised source, it is likely a scam trying to steal your data.

Do not overshare on social media

If you have public accounts or you have contacts you don’t know well, oversharing can be dangerous. You may also want to change your security settings from 'public' to 'friends only' where possible, to make sure only the right people see your pictures and other personal information you share.

Close accounts that you don’t use any more

Old emails or logins for websites clearly indicate another location for your data or contact information to be taken from. It’s important to close them when you no longer need these.