By Charlotte Duffield ’24, staff writer 

In order to keep students protected online, LVC requires students to have up-to-date antivirus software while using the LVC network.

There are many ways to stay protected online; this protection is extremely important for one’s privacy. To maximize the safety of your private information, Dave Shapiro, LVC’s chief information officer, has some suggestions.

Shapiro first notes how location is important. When out and about, students should take extra security precautions. These precautions include using secure banking apps to ensure individuals can neither physically nor virtually be watching your activity.

“A local coffee shop or out shopping with friends increases your chance that your wireless activity or passwords can be compromised,” Shapiro said.

Shapiro also advises being careful when opening and replying to emails, mentioning how whenever it is possible to avoid clicking links in emails. To combat this, it is much safer to type the link out in a web browser.

“When using email, look for signs that the email is too good to be true,” Shapiro said.

Students should take advantage of the free services that LVC offers, LVC offers free antivirus (https://www.lvc.edu/offices-directories/information-technology/antivirus-and-spyware/), multi-factor authentication for your LVC account (https://aka.ms/mfasetup), and other ways to protect oneself online.