We’re at a point in time where eLearning is becoming a favored alternative to traditional learning methods. Everyone is excited to jump on board, but there are a few things you might want to consider before you do. You’re still on the internet, and being on the internet requires a certain set of safety precautions. While eLearning programs are often designed with security measures in place, there are still a few small things you should be doing to reinforce the security that’s already been put into motion.

Avoid Public Internet

While your personal information is likely safe on your learning institution’s end, you need to make sure it’s safe on your end. You can never truly do that unless you’re certain your internet connection is always secure. People who learn on the internet love to take their education with them wherever they go. There’s nothing unsafe about that, provided no one is relying on public WiFi to do so.

Anyone can access public WiFi – including hackers who are sweeping the internet to steal personal information. When you’re learning away from home, consider using a VPN to keep yourself safe. VPN Compass can help you find a reliable virtual private network to use.

Be Careful Who You Talk To

Some online learning programs offer forums or chat features to increase the sense of community. It’s normal for people who learn alone to miss the social aspect of traditional classroom interaction. Some projects may even require you to collaborate with other learners. This is a fun aspect of eLearning that adds to the experience, but you should still approach it with caution.

You never know who’s sitting on the other end of the computer. Always be careful what kind of information you share online. Unless you know someone in person, always treat that individual as if they were a stranger.

Use the Right Passwords

There’s no telling who might attempt to access your personal accounts, or for what reason they may want to do so. Make sure both your online learning account and the email address attached to it have secure passwords. By now, most people know to avoid obvious passwords that people may be able to guess with limited knowledge about you, but password safety goes further than that. You should also change your password every few months for an added layer of security, which is something that many people forget to do.

Learning online is fun and safe, as long as you’re taking the right precautions. It’s better to be skeptical and protected than open and victimized by a malicious entity or software program lurking the internet. Always use your best judgement and keep yourself protected.