{"id":1874,"date":"2021-09-13T14:16:09","date_gmt":"2021-09-13T14:16:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gatlabs.com\/education\/?p=1874"},"modified":"2026-03-24T10:42:34","modified_gmt":"2026-03-24T10:42:34","slug":"online-learning-6-threats-schools-and-students-should-stay-prepared-for","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gatlabs.com\/education\/blog\/online-learning-6-threats-schools-and-students-should-stay-prepared-for\/","title":{"rendered":"Online Learning: 6 Threats Schools and Students Should Stay Prepared for"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The past couple of years have brought significant changes to education, with a rapid shift to online learning. As we all know, this transition was not without its challenges, particularly for school administrators. Fortunately, we’ve learned a great deal since then, but there’s still much work to be done to ensure the safety and security of our students and staff. <\/span><\/p>\n

In this blog post, we’ll address six critical cybersecurity threats in education that schools should remain vigilant about. We’ll also explore effective strategies to mitigate these threats and enhance online safety in the Google Workspace and Chrome environments.<\/span><\/p>\n

Understanding the Threat Landscape<\/b><\/h2>\n

1. Phishing Emails: Protecting Your School’s Sensitive Data<\/b><\/h4>\n

Given the wealth of sensitive information stored within school systems, education domains have become prime targets for cybercriminals, particularly through phishing emails.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

To safeguard your school against these threats, it’s essential to enforce email security measures and educate both staff and students on how to <\/span>recognize phishing attempts.\u00a0<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

2. Securing Unvetted WiFi Networks<\/b><\/h4>\n

While schools can secure WiFi networks within their physical premises, the challenge arises when students and staff learn remotely. It’s crucial to ensure that these unvetted networks are private and secure to protect digital footprints from potential malicious users.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

3. Device Theft or Loss: Mitigating Cybersecurity Repercussions<\/b><\/h4>\n

Accidents happen, and device theft or loss is a possibility for anyone. The key is how you handle such situations. Therefore, encourage your staff and students to report missing devices immediately to mitigate cybersecurity risks. <\/span><\/p>\n

Employ monitoring tools like <\/span>GAT Shield for Chromebooks<\/span><\/a>, which can track device geolocation, monitor real-time browser activity, and enable immediate action in case of loss. <\/span><\/p>\n

Additionally, <\/span>GAT Labs for Education<\/span><\/a> offers robust protection against device theft by continuously monitoring user typing styles and verifying their identity.<\/span><\/p>\n

4. Ensuring Secure Website Access<\/b><\/h4>\n

In the course of their studies and work, students and staff frequently visit websites for research and information. Unfortunately, not all websites are safe, and some can distribute malware, steal sensitive information, or send spam. Schools can further enhance security by blocking access to certain websites for the entire school domain using GAT Shield.<\/span><\/p>\n

5. Managing Less Secure Apps<\/b><\/h4>\n

Less secure apps pose a significant risk, as they can provide entry points for hackers into your users’ accounts. Take proactive measures to limit this risk:<\/span><\/p>\n