Cybersecurity Best Practices Guide

As a college student, you’re navigating a digital landscape filled with online classes, social media, and personal activities. This guide provides essential cybersecurity practices to protect your personal information, academic work, and digital identity throughout your college journey.

Use Strong Passwords

Use unique passwords for each account (email, student portal, banking, social media)
Create complex passwords with at least 12 characters including uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols
Use passphrases when possible: “Coffee!Helps2Study#Late” is stronger than “P@ssw0rd1”
Avoid personal information like birthdays, names, or addresses in passwords

Password Management

Use a password manager (free options: Bitwarden, LastPass free tier)
Never share passwords with friends or family members
Change passwords immediately if you suspect an account has been compromised
Use two-factor authentication to add an extra layer of security beyond just your password

Pitt Community College requires two-factor authentication to access the PCC Portal. It requires two different types of verification:

What You Know (your password) + What You Have (your phone or authentication app) = Stronger Security

Best Practices

Use authentication apps instead of SMS when possible
Keep backup codes secure – store them separately from your devices
Don’t approve suspicious login notifications – if you didn’t try to log in, deny the request
Have multiple two-factor methods set up in case you lose your phone

Recognizing Phishing Attempts

Be skeptical of urgent emails requesting personal information or immediate action
Check sender addresses carefully – legitimate emails from your college will come from official domains
Hover over links before clicking to see the actual destination
Look for poor grammar and spelling errors in official-looking emails

Safe Email Practices

Use your student email for academic purposes and a separate personal email for other activities
Don’t click suspicious links or download unexpected attachments
Report phishing attempts to your college’s IT department
Keep your email software updated to benefit from security patches

Review privacy settings regularly on all social media platforms
Limit personal information visible to strangers (phone numbers, addresses, class schedules)
Be cautious about location sharing – avoid posting real-time locations
Think before posting – future employers and schools may review your online presence

Be selective with friend requests from unknown individuals
Avoid oversharing personal or financial information
Use privacy-focused messaging apps for sensitive conversations
Report and block suspicious or harassing accounts

Public Wi-Fi Safety

Avoid sensitive activities (banking, shopping) on public Wi-Fi
Use your phone’s hotspot instead of unsecured public networks when possible
Enable automatic locking on devices when not in use

Computer Protection

Install antivirus software and keep it updated (many free options available)
Enable automatic updates for your operating system
Use a firewall (usually built into Windows and macOS)
Lock your computer when stepping away, even briefly

Mobile Device Security

Use screen locks (PIN, password, fingerprint, or face recognition)
Install apps only from official stores (App Store, Google Play)
Review app permissions before installing
Enable remote wipe capabilities in case your device is lost or stolen

Protecting Academic Work

Back up important files using cloud storage or external drives
Protect against plagiarism by properly citing sources and using plagiarism detection tools
Keep digital copies of important academic documents

Red Flags and Warning Signs

Unexpected password reset emails – someone may be trying to access your accounts
Unknown charges on bank or credit card statements
Friends receiving spam from your email or social media accounts
Slow computer performance or unusual pop-ups (possible malware)