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By on July 12, 2017 in Academic Life

Image by thelester, pixabay.com

Living on campus might fill new students with a sense of false security. Of course, you assume the campus is a safe and secure place, but even so, reports surface every year about students on campuses being subjected to robberies, burglaries, attacks, stalking, and drunk driving accidents. The threat of a dangerous situation might be just around the corner, especially for kids who are living on their own for the first time. Here are a few tips to stay smart and safe on campus.

Visit the Campus

To get familiar with your new home, every college campus provides new students with a tour of the college grounds. Make sure you take part in the tour. Familiarize yourself with all the buildings on the campus, and find out the location of the campus security office. Visit the office and request information about the services provided by campus security. For example, some campus security offices might provide escort services at night, security apps to download, special security hotline numbers, safety zone maps, or updates about crimes on campus.

Security Measures

Your college campus is not the place to forget about security. Remember to lock all your doors at night. Lock your dorm room while attending classes or going out with friends, and lock your windows to discourage spur of the moment break-ins. Don’t walk alone at night and don’t visit ATM machines at night. Having roommates and dorm buddies is usually part of the system for new freshmen and can help keep you safe. Don’t leave money or valuable possessions out in the open; lock them up in a drawer or room safe.

Social Media

Kids away at college like to jump on social media sites to keep in touch with friends and family at home. Your posts might seem innocent but remember they can convey important personal information to strangers or acquaintances viewing your social media profile. Don’t announce your plans on social media. For example, don’t announce you are spending the night alone in your room or are going home for the weekend, leaving your room unattended.

Avoid Getting Wasted

Don’t drink and drive. People tend to lose control of their inhibitions and get reckless at college parties. This includes getting in a car and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Stop, and think for a second before taking that drink or getting behind the wheel of a car, while drinking. Is it really worth the risk? Of course not. An auto accident attorney from Denver recommends you plan for a designated driver, take the bus, or stay close to campus.

Adjusting to your new life on campus takes time. Stay smart and safe with the tips provided here.

Sources:

Bachus & Schanker Law
Entrepreneur’s Organization
Safety Chick

This article was contributed by guest author Eileen O’Shanassy.

By on June 7, 2017 in Technology

Image by Omar Prestwich, unsplash.com

You’re going to need to use the internet a lot when you’re on campus. Your campus probably provides WiFi for everyone, and while that seems generous, the problem with that public WiFi is that everyone has to share it. It’s a lot like a public swimming pool that isn’t actively being maintained. Before you dive into that campus WiFi, make sure you’re doing it safely. Your personal information could be at stake, and all it takes is a single computer sciences student with dubious intentions to mess things up for everyone.

Don’t Postpone Updates

When you’re finished with your school work, you probably want to run straight to your Netflix Queue or check your YouTube subscriptions. This may lead to you clicking the “Remind me later” button on those important antivirus software updates. Don’t do it. Vulnerabilities change every day, and hackers are only getting smarter. If an update has been released, it’s because the added protection is necessary. Let your updates run while you’re taking a shower or eating lunch if you need to – just don’t skip them.

Be Smart With Your Passwords

Having a million different passwords can get confusing, but using the same password for everything is foolish. No matter what you do, it’s even worse when you keep the same password for a really long time. Make sure you’re changing up your passwords every few weeks, and don’t use passwords that are easy to guess. It’s okay to use something easy to remember, such as the name of your favorite movie, but make sure you’re making it difficult for others to figure out. Incorporate uppercase characters, numbers, and symbols.

Use a VPN if You Can

VPNs are the most secure way to browse the internet. You may be connected to campus WiFi, but you’re in your own private tunnel. VPNs encrypt all of your activity, so lurking cyber predators won’t know what you’re doing. This is especially important if you store your bank information in your Amazon account, or if you’re a frequent online shopper. Every VPN is different, so do your research. You might want to find the best VPN for Windows 10, or the best VPN for your phone. They may be completely different.

Check Your Automatic Connection Settings

Both phones and computers come equipped with the option to automatically connect to any available network. You might assume you’re using your campus WiFi when you’re actually connected to something that belongs to a total stranger. Make sure you know which networks you’re connecting to from any internet enabled devices you use. Set all connection settings to manual, because your device may not always choose what’s best for you.

Make Sure You Know What You’re Sharing

Almost anything on your computer can be shared with other people on the same network. This is more than just Bluetooth devices or printers. All of your photos and documents could be accessible to anyone else using the same connection that you’re using. Make sure all sharing options are turned off to keep your information private. You don’t want to work hard on a paper only to find out that your roommate turned in something almost exactly the same. You also don’t want your educators to see photos of you on Spring Break.

 

You might be used to the way your internet connection worked at home, but on campus, everything is different. Make sure you’re protecting yourself from vulnerabilities at school, as well as at the coffee shops or popular study spots you frequent with your peers.

This article was contributed by guest author Amelia Dermott.

By on June 20, 2016 in Academic Life
Image by NEC Corporation of America, Flickr

Image by NEC Corporation of America, Flickr

When people talk about college, they usually talk about the fun and exciting times. Unfortunately, what’s also relevant is the threat of crime and danger. Surrounded by peers and away from parents — perhaps for the first time — students can be especially vulnerable to harmful situations. That’s why they need to take the right precautions to stay safe.

As a student, how can you make the most of your college experience while also staying out of harm’s way? Here is a list of important safety tips to keep in mind whenever you’re on campus:

1. Stay alert. In our smartphone society, it’s all too easy to cruise through campus in your own little world, earbuds in and focused on your small screen. The problem is, zoning out keeps you from noticing what’s happening around you. When a threat appears, you may not even know you’re walking straight into danger. Instead of checking out, decide to stay alert when you’re moving through campus — walking to the library at night, coming back to your dorm, etc.

2. Lock your doors. Whether you’re running down the hall to a friend’s dorm room, hanging out at your place for the afternoon or leaving your apartment for a few hours, always lock your doors. Make it a habit to keep your windows and doors locked in order to prevent any unauthorized entry.

3. Travel in groups. When you have to be out on foot at night, try not to be out alone. Take a friend or your roommate on that jog or to run that errand. Likewise, let someone know when you’re planning to be back, so it’s easier for others to know when you might need their help.

4. Carry pepper spray. If you keep a defense mechanism — be it pepper spray, a personal alarm or some self-defense skills — on you at all times, you may never have to use them. If you do, they could save your life. Be prepared for emergency situations where you’ll need a way to protect yourself.

5. Drink responsibly. Alcohol impairs your ability to think clearly and make decisions to protect yourself, so it’s vital that you take alcohol consumption seriously. Not only should you be careful not to drink too much and not to drink and drive, but you should also pay attention to what you’re drinking. That free drink someone offers you at a party or a blind date offers you at a bar could have more than alcohol in it.

6. Follow your instincts. When you get into a situation that makes you uncomfortable, don’t ignore your instincts. Get out of spooky areas, avoid secluded spots and take precautions as your gut tells you to do. Don’t be afraid to tell people you want to leave or don’t want to do something; your safety is too important.

If you are ever the victim of a crime, on campus or off, call the police immediately. But most likely, being alert, sticking to groups, carrying something for protection, drinking responsibly and not being afraid to follow your instincts will go a long way toward protecting yourself at school.

This article was contributed by guest author David Nance, a nationally acclaimed personal safety and home security expert who has been featured on the History Channel, Spike TV, FOX & Friends and more. He is also the CEO/V.P. of Sales & Marketing for SABRE — a company that specializes in wireless home security alarms and self-defense products.

By on July 29, 2013 in Travel
Image by hyperakt, Flickr

Image by hyperakt, Flickr

There are few things more exciting than having the opportunity to pack your bags and set off to explore a new place! While nobody really plans on getting sick, injured, or pickpocketed while on holiday, it’s best to be proactive and prepare for events which might pose an inconvenience to your adventure. Before you leave, check out this list of things that will keep you covered in case something goes wrong:

Keep copies of important documents.
Make two photocopies of your passport, flight tickets, hostel or hotel reservations, credit card, and driver’s license. In the event that any of these items are misplaced or stolen, you will still have access to your personal identification. Leave one set of the copies with a close friend or family member, and take one the other set of copies with you. Make sure to keep them separate from the original documents. You can also keep an electronic copy by e-mailing yourself a scan of the documents.

Update your address book
In case you have to make an emergency call, look up the phone numbers and contact information for your insurance company, credit card issuers, or health professionals, and put them in your phone before you leave.

Consider getting travel insurance
Nobody plans on getting ill or injured while on holiday, but unfortunately, it can happen. As someone who once ended up in a Belgian hospital with a broken nose, I’d recommend taking the extra cost into consideration – you never know what will happen.

Read a guidebook
Abandon any pretensions of not wanting to do anything “touristy” and embrace being a tourist wholeheartedly. You’re not a local, it’s not a secret, and it’s time to do your research. Travel websites like Lonely Planet and other travel blogs will not only help you navigate your way around the city and help to tailor your trip to your specific interests – they will have a lot of useful information about the culture, laws, and customs of your destination.

Bon voyage!