Fontys ICT students organise online safety sessions
On 28 May, 4 June and 11 June, Cyber Security students from Fontys Hogeschool ICT Tilburg are organizing a series of online sessions on Internet safety for young and old. With these sessions the students hope to raise awareness of online risks, such as hacking, scams and fraud.
Stay Alert Online
Our daily lives are increasingly taking place online. Our shopping, money matters, but also our interactions go through the web. Cybercriminals know all about it and are ready to take action. Madelon Dohmen, Cyber Security student, explains that awareness is particularly important right now: "During the pandemic, the police saw an enormous increase in the number of reports of fraud, such as Marketplace fraud and Whatsapp fraud. We are much more online, and often too trusting. This does not only apply to the elderly, students also fall into the practices of cybercriminals."
A €200 euro iPhone
Cybercrime is intangible and abstract for many users. Madelon explains it using the example of a meeting in the street: "Suppose someone comes up to you and offers you an iPhone for €200. Sounds good, right? But first he has to go to his car to get it. If you want to pay for it. Of course you say no! But online we fall for it with both feet." It seems that in an online world of irresistible offers, many users are thus less resilient to scams, phishing and other forms of crime. They often lack the knowledge to notice that something is not right, as we would in a real life situation. This can have far-reaching consequences, which makes the sharing of knowledge all the more important.
Sharing ICT knowledge and using it for the benefit of society
The conviction at Fontys Hogeschool ICT is that ICT can have a positive impact on society, for example by sharing knowledge. Madelon confirms this: "We learn about online safety through practical assignments. We want to share that knowledge so that we can help people with it. Many users do not know that a router, internet lighting or a Chromecast can be hacked. So that knowledge needs to go out into the world." The sessions are organized by students, together with teachers and experts: "It is also important for us to do, because if we as students can transfer this it also shows that we really master the matter."
Safer online? You can attend the sessions on the dates below. Each session takes place at 1500 hours and will revolve around a specific theme. Experts will speak and share practical tips.
- May 28, 2021: Passwords, Updates & Backups
- June 4, 2021: Viruses, Phishing & Fraud
- June 11, 2021: Routers & Smart Devices
The sessions are completely free and can be attended through the Twitch channel of Fontys Hogeschool ICT Tilburg: https://www.twitch.tv/fhict013