How to Protect K-12 Distance Learners from Cybersecurity Threats

As the first semester of the academic year comes to a close, schools and universities are taking a break before kicking off winter term classes. While students and educators have faced countless challenges this year, one issue that cannot be overlooked is the increasing need for robust cybersecurity measures, especially for K-12 schools.

With the rise of digital learning, hackers and cybercriminals have found new opportunities to target vulnerable students and educators. Below, we’ll outline three common cybersecurity threats—ransomware, malware, and phishing—and offer tips on how to protect your distance learners.

The Risk of Ransomware

One of the biggest threats to K-12 education is ransomware. Ransomware attacks lock users out of their computers or networks until a ransom is paid to the attacker. This type of attack can be devastating, especially for schools with limited budgets or access to IT support.

Several forms of ransomware have been identified as particularly harmful to the education sector, including:

• Ryuk
• Maze
• Nefilim
• AKO
• Sodinokibi/REvil

These types of ransomware are capable of shutting down entire school districts, causing disruptions to learning and compromising sensitive information.

The Menace of Malware

Malware, a stealthy type of virus, is another major concern. Malware attacks are becoming increasingly common in K-12 schools, affecting a wide variety of institutions across the country. Windows-based operating systems are especially vulnerable to malware known as Zeus, which can steal sensitive data and compromise entire networks.

Even Mac users, who traditionally experience fewer virus threats, are not immune. MacOS users face growing malware risks, particularly from Shlayer, which bypasses typical Mac defenses through malicious websites, hijacked domains, and malicious advertising.

The Possibility of Phishing

Phishing attacks have long been a problem for businesses and schools alike, and K-12 education is no exception. Phishing emails often look legitimate and attempt to steal personal information such as passwords or account details.

With the shift to distance learning, phishers are increasingly targeting not just teachers and IT professionals, but students and their parents as well. On top of this, other related threats—such as fake domains, Distributed-Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attacks, and video conferencing hijacking—add layers of complexity to an already challenging online learning environment.

Ways to Protect Your Distance Learners

So, how can you protect students, educators, and parents from these cybersecurity threats? Here are three critical steps you can take:

1. Keep Software Updated
   Make sure that all outdated software is properly patched. Hackers exploit vulnerabilities in old software, so it’s essential to stay up to date with the latest security updates.
2. Regular Password Updates
   Encourage or enforce regular password updates. Passwords should be strong, unique, and changed at set intervals to reduce the likelihood of unauthorized access.
3. Implement Multi-Factor Authentication
   Multi-factor authentication (MFA) provides an additional layer of security by requiring users to provide multiple forms of verification before accessing their accounts. This is one of the most effective ways to prevent unauthorized access, even if a password is compromised.

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Cybersecurity is a serious concern for K-12 distance learning, and staying proactive can make all the difference. While school districts and parents may not have the resources to completely eliminate the risk, following these key steps can significantly enhance their defense against cyberattacks.

For expert help in securing your school’s or business’s IT infrastructure, feel free to reach out to us at Bohemia Tech. We specialize in cloud, server, and web-related services, and we can assist you with all your cybersecurity needs.