How Rapid Switch to E-Learning Increased a Risk of Cyberattacks
How Rapid Switch to E-Learning Increased a Risk of Cyberattacks Pixabay

Cyber criminals are always on the lookout for opportunities to compromise the cybersecurity of their victims. The coronavirus pandemic has presented cyber criminals with ample opportunities to use their nefarious craft.

In the days following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, public schools and universities shut their doors. Of course, education could not grind to a halt, so a quick shift was made from in class learning to remote learning. Educators and students needed to quickly familiarize themselves with the workings of software like Zoom, Skype, and Microsoft Teams.

Cyber criminals were able to capitalize on the fact that technology connected to home networks is more vulnerable than technology used in more secure environments, such as those found in public schools and universities. Because the change was so abrupt, there was not sufficient time for adequate cybersecurity measures to be put in place at many schools or universities.

A veteran network security engineer and linux database admin, Nathan Finch from the Aussie Web Hosting Research Group adds:

“This year showed us where cybersecurity needs to be tightened. We faced a lot of cyberattacks that could have easily been avoided if cybersecurity solutions were implemented the right way and if some of the best cybersecurity practices were followed - such as using a reputable VPN provider, investing in a secure web hosting solution, protecting your devices with an antivirus software, etc. All in all, 2020 has been a great cybersecurity lesson.”

Why Cyber Criminals Target Education

The public school system has always been a target for cyber attackers. School districts typically lack the funding necessary to implement robust security systems. Schools are full of personal data.

Now that there are more students and teachers online, much of education is happening in a less controlled environment. Cybersecurity experts who work with educational technology feel that these types of cyber-attacks are of great concern.

It is difficult to create robust cybersecurity programs in this new environment of virtual learning. There are a couple of factors that make strong cybersecurity more challenging now. One is that it is difficult to ensure that all teachers and students have networks and devices that are sufficiently secure.

Second, there is a lot of doubt about what education will look like during the next school year. Any plans that are put in place right now could be negated if there is a change in the pandemic or a change in educator’s responses to teaching during the pandemic.

Dealing with Escalated Cybersecurity Threats

Remote learning means that being concerned with cybersecurity is not solely the responsibility of IT staff. School administrators, educators, students, and parents need to have a firm understanding of how serious cybersecurity is and the role their actions play in either mitigating or increasing risk.

The only sure thing when it comes to cybersecurity and remote learning is that the risk is not going to go away anytime soon. Taking cybersecurity seriously means that many administrators and school districts need to change their mindset. For a long time, the educational system, especially public education, worked under the premise that they did not have any information that bad actors would want to steal. Nothing could be farther from the truth. What these educators and school administrators failed to understand is the value of data.

What Cybersecurity Precautions Should Be Taken with E-Learning Going Forward?

In a remote learning environment, teachers and students are working through video sessions. There exists the risk that the personal information of the students might leak unintentionally. It is imperative that both teachers and students take all the precautions necessary in this environment. This is especially important if the information being shared is critical.

Many e-learning institutions have chosen to use payment options or accounting options that make it easy to pay online while at the same time protecting their student's personal information. Investing in a secure online payment system might be the best solution to protect your sensitive information. It’s important that the payment software you choose is prioritizing safety in view of the increase in cybersecurity issues that have been seen in the wake of the pandemic.

In normal circumstances, and especially now when e-learning is more popular than ever, it is the end user who has the greatest potential for creating a cybersecurity threat. This is why some e-learning programs have included an introduction that trains students to identify phishing attempts and emails, scams, and other malicious activities that could be an indication that someone is trying to use the e-learning platform to commit cyber-crime.

How Users Can Keep Themselves Safe from Cyber Crime

At the end of the day, the onus for ensuring safety and security when it comes to e-learning lies with the student if they are an adult or with their parents if the learner is a child. Steps must be taken to become aware of necessary safety precautions that are needed when studying online. And an endeavor must be made to put these practices into play.

In light of the pandemic and the increase in cybersecurity issues, some e-learning institutes have provided essential security checklists. It is good for the adult student to read this information and good for parents to make sure that their children read and understand the information. All of the essential security protocols laid out in this documentation should be enacted and followed.

It may require extra diligence on the part of parents who have children learning virtually to keep track of where their child visits online. Parents should talk to their children about what they learned online and inculcate in them a desire to protect their personal data.

As in the past, it is imperative that e-learners, regardless of their age, keep their login information safe. Students need to watch out for odd behavior. This means understanding that even the most trusted software should not be trusted.

E-learners could have a situation where they click on the software needed for their academic learning process, but it does not open quickly or behaves oddly. They may notice that using the e-learning software causes their computer to slow down or freeze up. If this happens frequently, there is a chance that the software has malware. Students need to be aware of these dangers and run malware scans frequently.

Targeted phishing attacks will target e-learners. Cyber criminals have become creative. They are able to send phishing scams that look like they have been sent by someone in authority. It is important to check the email's domain before reading it or replying to it. Never share the credentials for the platform used for e-learning.

There is no reason to believe that cyber attacks targeting e-learners will disappear anytime soon. It is up to the administrators of e-learning platforms and students to be vigilant and to keep themselves safe.