As we continue to rely on technology, it is critical that each of us does our part to ensure that technology is used safely. Threats to our online safety and the health of our technology are present every time we click a link, open an email or visit a website.
While HCPSS continues to invest in information security efforts, upgrade our equipment and ensure that our network is secure, it is critical that our user groups – which include students, staff and parents/guardians – do their part to maintain a safe virtual learning environment.
Parents and guardians can take several steps, and remind your children of these items, to ensure online safety:
- Stress the importance of strong, private, and account specific passwords.
- Email is the number one compromised medium in cyberattacks. Be wary of every email you receive.
- Learn how to identify if a public network is secure.
- Log out of or lock your computer when it’s not in use.
- Keep your personal device up to date with security and software updates.
- Avoid using non-encrypted storage devices like thumb drives and never plug in an external storage device that came from unknown or untrusted sources.
If you are using an HCPSS-issued device and suspect that it may have been compromised:
- Turn off your computer immediately and leave it off until you receive further instructions.
- Contact your school if you suspect something is not right. Even if there ultimately is no attack, it’s better to be cautious.
- Monitor your email and text messages for official communications in the event that an HCPSS system has been impacted.