In today’s digital world, protecting your online accounts is just as important as protecting your home or wallet. Hackers are constantly trying to break into bank accounts, steal credit card information, hijack social media accounts, and even take control of mobile phones. As ICT students, you are expected to understand how these attacks happen — and more importantly, how to defend against them.
Protecting Bank Accounts and Bank Cards:
Bank accounts are a prime target for hackers because they hold your money. Always use strong, complex passwords that include letters, numbers, and symbols — and never use the same password across multiple accounts. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) for your banking apps and websites to add an extra layer of protection.
Be careful of fake emails, SMS messages, or phone calls pretending to be from your bank — these are called phishing attacks. Always verify directly with your bank if you receive any suspicious messages. Also, check your bank account activity regularly to spot anything unusual early.
When using bank cards, never share your card number, PIN, or CVV code online. When shopping online, use trusted websites (look for HTTPS in the address bar) and consider using virtual cards or secure payment platforms like PayPal for added safety.
Protecting Social Media Accounts:
Social media accounts hold a lot of personal information that hackers can exploit. Use strong passwords and turn on two-factor authentication for all your accounts like Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and Snapchat.
Be careful about the personal information you share online, like your birthday, address, or pet names — hackers can use these details to guess passwords or reset accounts. Avoid clicking suspicious links, and never give login information to unofficial websites or third-party apps.
Protecting Mobile Phone Accounts:
Your mobile number is often the key to accessing your bank, social, and email accounts. Hackers sometimes try SIM swapping, where they trick the phone company into giving them control of your phone number.
To stay safe, set up a PIN or password on your mobile network account. Always use screen locks on your phone (PIN, fingerprint, or face recognition) and update your device software regularly. Only download apps from trusted stores like Google Play or the App Store, and avoid installing apps from unknown sources.
General Cybersecurity Tips
Always update your software, apps, and devices to patch security vulnerabilities.
Use a password manager to create and store strong, unique passwords.
Avoid using public Wi-Fi without a VPN — hackers can easily spy on you in public places.
Log out of accounts when using shared or public devices.
Never share your OTP (one-time password) codes with anyone.
Regularly back up important data to a secure location.
By building strong cybersecurity habits now, you are not just protecting yourself today — you are preparing to become responsible technology professionals in the future. In a world where technology powers everything, digital safety is not optional — it’s essential.