Image Source: Adobe Stock: Monkey Business

Parents naturally worry about their kids leaving for college – their physical safety high on the list. But in the digital world, college students are at risk, too, in the forms of identity theft and online fraud.

According to the FTC’s “Consumer Sentinel Network Data Book,” released in February, much of the crime revolves around fraudulent wire transfers or attacks on credit cards and gift cards. The FTC found reports of fraud around student loans increased by 119% in 2018. In addition, 43% of younger people ages 20 to 29 reported losing money to fraud compared with only 15% of those ages 70 to 79.

The good news: There are many practical steps students can take to protect themselves online.

It starts with some real-life common sense. “Student should physically lock down their laptops when they are not in their dorm rooms, and keep sensitive information, such as Social Security cards and birth certificates, locked in a safe,” says Paige Hanson, chief of identity education for Norton LifeLock.

Next on the online-safety list? Read on.  

Steve Zurier has more than 30 years of journalism and publishing experience, most of the last 24 of which were spent covering networking and security technology. Steve is based in Columbia, Md. View Full Bio