Cybersecurity 101: 6 Ways Young People Can Stay Safe Online

Cybercrime is on the rise, and you could be the next target.

According to the U.S. Department of State, one in four people fall victim to cyberattacks, a number that’s only expected to climb over the next decade. And cybercrime doesn’t just affect adults—in 2022 alone, 1.7 million U.S. children had their personal information leaked online through data breaches.

In today’s digital age, cybersecurity should be a top priority for everyone. The good news is, you don’t need to be a tech expert to stay safe online.

Here are six simple steps to get you started:

Don’t Share Personally Identifiable Information

Most people know they shouldn’t tell random people online who they really are, where they live, or other personally identifiable information like their birth date, email, or phone number. But when we’re on social media or talking to friends we trust, it can be easy to let our guard down.

Regardless of the situation, taking steps to stay anonymous is one of the simplest things you can do to keep yourself safe on the internet. Here are a few things to consider next time you’re online:

  • Avoid using usernames with words related to your real name or other sensitive information.

  • Don’t enter personal information when using AI tools. This includes applications like ChatGPT as well as things like AI-powered customer support chatbots.

  • Be careful about what you put out on social media. Keep your profile private, only add people you know, and remember that everything you post exists forever.

  • If you’re playing video games or in a group call with friends, keep in mind that someone may be recording or streaming. Don’t say anything that you wouldn’t mind sharing with the whole world.

Use Strong Passwords

How do you make an unhackable password? The bad news is you can’t, because all passwords can be hacked. The good news is, if your password is complicated enough, it will take an extremely long time to hack it—as in, billions or trillions of years.

Your password is your first line of defense against cyberattacks. Here’s how to make them safer:

  • Use long passwords (>12 characters) that incorporate numbers, symbols, and both uppercase and lowercase letters.

  • Don’t reuse passwords across accounts and websites. Using a password manager like Bitwarden can help you keep track of all of them.

  • If you receive notice of a password breach or suspicious attempted login, change your password immediately.

Turn on Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

Have you ever been asked to enter a one-time code when logging into an app or website? That’s multi-factor authentication (MFA) in action!

MFA is a great way to make your online accounts more secure. Here’s how it works:

  • First, you enter your password (this is factor #1)

  • Then, you confirm your identity to prove it's really you (this is factor #2). You can do this through things like:

The added security of multi-factor authentication means that even if a hacker knows your password, they won’t be able to log in unless they can confirm your identity through factor #2. Enabling MFA is a quick and easy way to add a second layer of protection to your accounts and data.

Note: MFA is also commonly known as 2FA, or two-factor authentication.

Recognize and Report Phishing

Phishing is a technique scammers use to trick people into sharing sensitive and personal information. They do this by pretending to be a legitimate person or organization through authentic-looking emails, texts, or messages.

While some phishing attempts are obvious—for example, emails full of spelling errors—others can seem very real. Here’s how to avoid them:

  • Never click on any links or open/download any attachments you receive in emails unless you are 100% certain they are safe. Remember, phishing attempts are designed to look legitimate, so if you have any doubt, don’t click.

  • Don’t log into accounts via links in messages or emails. If you receive a message asking you to log in through a link, use your browser to independently navigate to the website and login there.

  • Be on the lookout for sketchy messages. If a friend sends you something over text, email, or social media that sounds unlike what they’d normally say, it’s possible they were hacked.

  • Report any suspected phishing attempts. If you receive a suspicious message at work or school, reach out to your organization’s IT department to check if it’s real. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.

  • Pause before clicking. When you’re in a rush, it’s easy to click on links without thinking. PauseTake9 offers a simple solution—every time you receive a message, take 9 seconds to stop and think before taking action. It’s an easy trick that can save you from big trouble.

Update Your Software

These days, software updates can feel like a never-ending cycle—just when you finally update your phone, your laptop pops up with its own request. And right after that, your browser decides it needs an update too. But, while keeping up with software updates might seem like a chore, it’s critical to staying cybersecure.

Developers often discover problems in their code that could put your data or device at risk. When they find these issues, they quickly fix them and send you an update request with the new, more secure code. Keeping your operating system, browser, and other software up-to-date keeps your devices safe from emerging threats.

Don’t Trust Public Wi-Fi

Everyone loves free Wi-Fi… including hackers.

When you connect to the internet at your favorite coffee shop, you’re putting yourself at risk. Open, public Wi-Fi networks have the potential to let hackers see what you’re doing, intercept your data, and steal your email, passwords, credit card information, and more.

But don’t worry, you don’t need to ditch your local café just yet. Here are some things you can do to keep yourself safe when using public networks:

  • Avoid typing sensitive information like credit card info, social security numbers, etc. General web browsing is typically considered low-risk. Save the important stuff for when you get back to a secure, trusted network.

  • Stay on secure websites. Make sure site URLs start with “HTTPS,” not just “HTTP.”

  • Use a trusted Virtual Private Network (VPN). A VPN encrypts your internet connection, making it harder for hackers to steal your data.

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As technology becomes a larger part of our lives, cyberthreats will continue to grow in number. It’s our responsibility to stay educated on how cyberattacks happen and how to prevent them. Resources like videos and tip sheets from GetCyberSmart are a great place to start.

By taking steps like using stronger passwords, turning on multi-factor authentication, watching out for phishing attempts, regularly updating your software, and staying vigilant when using public Wi-Fi, you can keep yourself safe while continuing to learn, work, and play online.

It’s time to get cyber smart.

Want to learn more about how you can stay safe online? Check out GetCyberSmart’s For Students page for videos, tip sheets, and other helpful resources.


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