Keep Online Learning Safe With a Family Password Manager 

Summer is coming to an end, which means the school year is about to begin. Indeed, for many students, it's already underway! And with changing public health guidelines, many kids may be learning virtually again this year, either part- or full-time. As parents navigate the challenges of another unusual academic year, it's worth brushing up on cybersecurity basics to ensure online learning is both secure and effective. Good password behavior is foundational to online security, so it's important to incorporate good password habits into virtual learning, too.  Here's what parents and kids should know about password security as they start the school year - and how a family password manager can help.

Inventory technology in use

First, take stock of which devices your student will use to connect to the "classroom" or complete their assignments. Will they have a school-issued device, like a Chromebook or iPad? Or, will they be using the family computer? Will they have a smartphone? Once you know your student's technology and how they will use it, you can think about how to keep student activity secure and private on those devices. Filtering search engine results, removing download privileges, blocking cookies and ads, preventing online purchases... these are just some of the security steps you may want to take. Whether the device is pre-programmed or you need to do some set-up, make sure settings align with your student's age, online activity, and ability to follow cybersecurity basics. You can also ensure that any cybersecurity tools, like a family password manager, are downloaded to the device(s).

Talk about internet privacy basics

Ideally, parents will have brought up the topic of online safety regularly over the years. But if you've never discussed privacy and security before, now is better than later. Set aside some time when everyone is well-rested, in good spirits, and ready to listen. (Snacks help, too.) Then, slowly and thoroughly review cybersecurity basics.  Some important points to cover:

• Review class policies about camera use. Understand when students may have to use a video camera. Show them how to set up an appropriate space before turning it on.
• Never click to download or open something from someone they don't know.
• Personal information like their address and birthdate should be kept private.
• Review any relevant security and privacy features on apps or devices, including logging in with a username and password.
• Teach them how to create passwords that are unique and long. Review how to use the family password manager.
• Never share passwords with anyone.
• If they don't understand something they see on their device, ask a trusted adult for help

Keep the security conversation going

Being "safe" online requires ongoing effort for both kids and adults. It means being aware of how cyber thieves might try to take advantage of you and your family, and adjusting your cybersecurity as they adjust their tactics. Likewise, educating kids to be cyber-aware requires periodic check-ins and reviews. As the school year gets underway, keep an eye out for opportunities to praise kids for following good cybersecurity practices. Regularly reinforce the basics and make time to review their technology use. Ask open-ended questions about how virtual schooling is going and if anything technology-related has made them feel uncomfortable, exposed, or unsafe. Work together to address any issues or concerns

Start the school year with a family password manager

Passwords are crucial to online security, but many people overlook them because of how mundane - and annoying - they are. The fear of forgetting a login drives people to use simple, easy-to-guess passwords or reuse the same password for every account. That's why it's essential to help kids have healthy password habits from the beginning, so they treat passwords with the care they deserve.  Setting up a family password manager can help students understand the importance of password security while making it easy to use passwords to stay safe online. For younger kids, a family password manager allows parents to create and oversee all passwords and logins. The parent can share certain logins with the kid, while staying in control of the password and also having access themselves to the login if needed. For older kids, parents can share family accounts - like the family Netflix or Spotify - but otherwise give more flexibility in letting them save their own logins to their own vault without parental oversight.  A password manager like LastPass gives your family flexibility and security as you navigate technology use during the school year. No matter what challenges this year brings, getting set up with a family password manager and teaching students about cybersecurity basics will help everyone have a safer, more productive year.