Cybersecurity: Top Tips on Keeping your Laptop Safe When Studying

Keeping your laptop secure is essential, especially when working remotely or handling sensitive information. As a student, you’ll be using your laptop for research and browsing, perhaps needing to download files and open emails on a regular basis. Cyber threats are becoming more sophisticated, so it's crucial that you understand how to adopt proactive measures to safeguard your device. Here are the top tips for keeping your laptop safe while studying:

Use Strong, Unique Passwords
Create complex passwords that include a mix of letters (upper and lower case), numbers, and special characters. Yes, it’s annoying! But this is the easiest way to stop hackers or bots from learning your passwords. Avoid using easily guessable passwords like "123456" or your name, birthday or location.

Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
Multi-factor authentication, although not always convenient, provides an extra layer of security. This typically involves entering a password along with a second factor (e.g. a text code, authentication app, or biometric recognition like a fingerprint). This means that even if your password is leaked or stolen, only you can confirm the login. If you get a notification that someone has tried to access your account and it was not you, you can then go in and change your passwords to secure your personal information.

Keep Software and Operating Systems Updated
Regularly update your operating system, applications, and antivirus software. Updates often include security patches that protect against the latest threats. Make sure that you are purchasing or downloading your security systems and apps from trusted sources.

Turn on automatic updates to ensure you're always protected from known vulnerabilities.

Use Encryption
Encrypt your hard drive using built-in tools like BitLocker (Windows) or FileVault (Mac). This ensures that if your laptop is stolen, the data remains unreadable without the encryption key.

For extra security, encrypt your files when sending sensitive data over email or other communication platforms.

Install and Maintain Antivirus Software
Install reliable antivirus software to protect your laptop from malware, ransomware, and other malicious software. Keep it updated to ensure maximum protection.

Schedule regular scans to identify potential threats.

Be Cautious with Public Wi-Fi
Avoid using public Wi-Fi networks for sensitive activities such as online banking, accessing work files, or making purchases. Hackers can easily intercept data on unsecured networks.

If you must use public Wi-Fi, use a VPN (Virtual Private Network) to encrypt your internet connection and protect your data. Although it isn’t the most cost-effective route, it is much safer to use your own network data, or hotspot from a friend, as public Wi-Fi can be easily accessed by multiple people.

Backup Your Data Regularly
Set up a backup solution (either cloud-based or physical storage) to ensure your important data is protected in case your laptop is lost, stolen, or compromised.

Automate backups to reduce the risk of losing important files due to unexpected incidents.

Be Wary of Phishing Attempts
Don’t click on suspicious links in emails, text messages, or pop-up ads. Phishing attempts often look like legitimate messages from trusted sources, but they may contain malware or direct you to fraudulent websites.
The easiest way to verify the authenticity of emails or messages is by clicking on the sender’s email address – does it contain random names or business details that don’t match the sender of the email?

If it’s a good phisher, they may even have an email account that sounds NEARLY like it could actually belong to the business in question. If something feels off, do not click or reply until you have confirmed it is legitimate.

Lock Your Laptop When Not in Use
Always lock your screen when leaving your laptop unattended, even for a few minutes. This can be done quickly with shortcuts. Set your laptop to automatically lock after a short period of inactivity.

Enable Firewall Protection
Ensure your firewall is enabled on your laptop. A firewall acts as a barrier between your device and potential threats from the internet, blocking unauthorised access to your system.

Use both hardware (router-level) and software firewalls for added protection.

Be Mindful of Physical Security
Always secure your laptop physically. Use a laptop lock when working in public places or at a co-working space to prevent theft.

Never leave your laptop unattended in a public area, and ensure it is safely stored when not in use. Dubai is an incredibly safe city; however, your personal data is not something to be messed with! Keep your device safe and ensure you know where it is at all times.

Use Secure Cloud Storage for Files
For collaboration and file sharing, use encrypted cloud storage solutions with strong access controls, like Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive.
Avoid storing sensitive files directly on your laptop if not necessary.

Review App Permissions
Regularly check and restrict the permissions granted to apps and software on your laptop. Many apps request access to sensitive information (e.g., microphone, camera, location) that isn’t necessary for their functionality.

If you find there is an account linked to one of your apps that you do not recognise, log them out immediately and change your passwords as soon as possible. Monitor incase this same account gains access again.

Remove unused apps or software to reduce potential vulnerabilities.

Monitor Your Device for Unusual Activity
Be alert to any unusual activity such as sudden system slowness, unexpected pop-ups, or new programmes you didn’t install. These could be signs of malware or unauthorised access.

Be Cautious with USB Devices
Be careful when using USB drives or other external devices, especially from unknown sources. These can carry malware that could infect your laptop.

Use antivirus scanning tools to check external devices before accessing their contents.

By following these tips, you can significantly reduce the risk of cyber threats and keep your laptop secure while working. Combining strong technical measures with cautious behaviour will help you protect your data and maintain your privacy.

Several Computer Engineering & Informatics programmes at MDX Dubai include modules and teaching on cyber security, including BSc Cyber Security and Digital Forensics, MSc Network Management and Cloud Computing and MSc Cyber Security and Pen Testing.