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Safer Students

Computer security and online safety

Top tips for online safety

• install antivirus software and keep it updated
• do not open an email attachment if you don't know the sender
• use different passwords and email addresses for different activities online
• use passwords that combine letters and numbers
• run anti-spyware tools often (e.g. Windows Defender)
• never reply to spam, not even to unsubscribe
• if you're not sure - ask for help from Student IT Support Centre (next to the Students' Union).

Scam 'Student Loan' emails

Some students are receiving scam emails claiming to be from Student Finance England and asking for account details. These emails may also come from friends on Facebook.

These are fraudulent emails. Student Finance England will never email you asking you to confirm your login or user details.

If you receive an email you are unsure of, follow the instructions from Student Finance England at www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearning/UniversityAndHigherEducation/StudentFinance/DG_179679.

Identity theft and how to avoid it

• be suspicious of unsolicited phone calls and emails
• check a web site's security policy and make sure that your information is encrypted before you send it over the internet 
• signs of encryption include a URL that begins with "https://" and a padlock icon on your browser's status bar.

Some symptoms of ID theft

• you stop getting bills or other regular correspondence – a thief may have given a different address in place of your own
• receiving credit cards for which you did not apply
• denial of credit for no apparent reason or you are unexpectedly turned down for a credit card
• receiving calls from debt collectors or companies about things you didn't buy
• you see entries on your bank statement you don't recognise.

Social networking

Social networking sites are public forums. Your identity could be visible to anyone, including people with malicious intentions. Not everyone is who they say they are and not everything you read is true.

• keep your privacy settings to 'friends only'
• don't display your address, telephone number or date of birth
• report users and content that are offensive or threatening
• never share your password with anyone
• set groups or events to 'secret'
• think before you post information
• never post false information about people

Peer-to-peer downloads and other matters

• it is illegal to copy or distribute material that is under copyright without permission
• steer clear of peer-to-peer networks offering 'free' music, movies and software
• comments you make in an email, blog or online can be held against you in official circumstances
• downloading, creating or possessing indecent images can land you in jail
• don't hack, spam, create a virus or alter, delete, move, copy files without consent.

For more information

You can find more information at www.port.ac.uk/accesstoinformation/policies/informationservices.

If you have more questions, please contact the Student IT Support Centre, located next to the Students' Centre, open Monday – Friday 10.00am – 4.00pm (term time only).