You’ve grown up with the internet at your fingertips, which makes you tech-savvy, but being constantly connected also increases your risk of cybercrime.
“You may have heard this same message 100 times, but it keeps coming up because a hack could really cripple you,” said Kris Jackson, enterprise cybersecurity architect at BOK Financial®. “Only you can take steps to protect your data and personal information from getting into the wrong hands.”
Whether you're walking through to campus or attending virtually, here are six tips from Jackson to help you stay safe online.
1. If it's too good to be true, it probably is. Be wary of deals that advertise textbooks for cheap, apartments below the market rate or offers to help pay off student loans. "Scammers use emotional appeals," said Jackson. "If you are online and feel compelled to take action by fear or greed, there is a high probability that you are being scammed."
2. Protect yourself with technology. The good news is that you're probably already comfortable using tech tools and best practices. Jackson also recommends taking advantage of device lock screens, two-factor authentication, “hide my email” tools and services like iCloud Private Relay to keep your data safe.
3. Change the default usernames and passwords on new products. Setting up your dorm or apartment usually means buying new tech. If hackers can figure out the default password on your device, they will gain access to the data across your network without your knowledge. In 2023, a cyberattack happened every 39 seconds, totaling more than 2,200 incidents per day. Jackson reminds you to be smart by keeping your data private with secure login credentials.
4. Step up your password game. Create a unique and strong password for every new site. Are you struggling to keep track of all your passwords? Don't! Every Android and iPhone product has a built-in keychain—use them to create and store your secure passwords.
5. Beware of free software. If you're into content creation, you might be tempted to download off-license software or digital content, but this could include malware.
"Hackers hide malware in legitimate software to conduct malicious activity," Jackson said. "You're basically giving them your computer when you download the software." Given the risks, purchasing software rather than downloading a free version is usually worth the higher price tag, he added.
6. Understand your TikTok risk. When you agree to the TikTok terms of service, you allow that company to take your network data, inspect other devices on the network, download personal data, and collect biometric information, including your voice and fingerprint.
“Make sure you understand the risk and reward trade-off for using TikTok. They are exfiltrating data to create profiles on American citizens that include behavioral data. This information could be used later to blackmail, coerce or even create deep fakes.”- Kris Jackson, enterprise cybersecurity architect at BOK Financial
What to do if you are a victim of cybercrime
Even when taking the above precautions, it’s still possible to fall victim to a cyberattack. In 2023, losses connected to cybercrimes reached $12.5 billion, according to the FBI's latest Internet Crime Report. So what if it happens to you?
"It's normal to feel some embarrassment if you get scammed," Jackson said. “Don't let emotional factors influence you from responding appropriately."
Jackson also recommends taking the following steps:
- Reach out to your bank or financial institution immediately. They can help you avert some or all of the losses.
- Close any credit cards that have been breached.
- Freeze your credit. A freeze will lock your sensitive credit files and prevent fraudulent lines of credit from being opened without your knowledge. This is a free service, but you will have to work individually with all three credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.
- Finally, consider talking to a therapist or friend to process your feelings. "Any manipulation, like cybercrime, can leave you feeling guilty or ashamed—this can be especially so for young people who might not feel confident enough to talk about it," Jackson said.
Learn more about BOK Financial's online security or call 844-517-3308 to report suspicious activity on BOK Financial-related accounts. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency also keeps an up-to-date list of current threats.
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