How to Securely Complete a Degree Online

Today it doesn't matter so much if you want to pursue an online degree or not, as in both cases you will be learning in a digital environment. The only difference between those who choose to complete an online degree and those who have been forced into it this year, is that online degrees were made for that purpose.

These degrees don't just make do with online; they were created specifically to help students thrive in a digital environment that caters to their schedule. What is the point, after all, if you cannot juggle your career at the same time as you work to complete your degree? Pursuing higher education after a bachelor's often means taking time off work, something that many of us just cannot, or are not, willing to do.

The online degree has completely replaced the need for night school. Though afternoon and night-based universities still exist, they just aren't that essential any longer for pursuing your degree. You can skip the extra commute and instead learn at home, on your commute, or even in your favorite café or library.

When you learn online, you can learn at the right pace in the right degree, but as it is entirely digital, there are some concerns that you will need to prepare yourself for. Finding and completing a degree online is perfectly viable, but you must do your best to protect yourself and keep your personal information, work, and finances secure.

For example, working in that café is great; but, if you are using the free, open Wi-Fi there are risks that go along with that. Knowing the digital threats that could pose problems for your degree and your personal life ahead of time is how you can avoid them and study with complete peace of mind, so follow this guide to get started.

Start with Your Degree

It's unfortunate, but there are a lot of fake universities out there. Even if the university itself isn't fake, the degree may be worthless to you. That is why you really need to vet through your options to find the best option. It isn't always about the ranking of the university that matters, and likewise, it isn't always the prestigiousness of the degree. New degrees emerge every year that help their students get an edge over the job market and make them far more attractive to hiring companies. Just because a new degree doesn't have standing does not mean it is not valuable.

Figuring out which degree and which institution that you should attend, however, can feel tricky, so use these tips to narrow down your list before you apply.

Is it from an established university?

There is nothing wrong with young universities, but you will want to just double check on them before you apply. One of the biggest indicators of a good degree and a good school is as simple as satisfied alumni. Though a new university may be offering great deals if you are one of the first students to attend, there isn't anything to compare with. For the sake of your future and your career, you'll be better off finding a university or college that has some experience with managing a student body. It doesn't have to be a lot; a five-year-old institution could be beloved by all its students.

Similarly, a well-established institution could fall from grace. Just check what the student satisfaction numbers are at from the previous five years. If alumni seem content with their education, then you can rest assured that the learning format and services will be good.

Is the degree accredited?

Accreditation is incredibly important, as it ensures that your degree meets, if not exceeds, a governing body's standards for education. Ideally, you will want the accreditation to be internationally recognized so that you know for a fact that your education will help you regardless of whether you are looking for a position at home, or an opportunity overseas.

For a Business Analytics Masters, for example, you will want to ensure that the degree in question is internationally accredited through the Association to Advance College Schools of Business (AACSB). The accrediting bodies do differ depending on the degree, so don't be thrown off if the accrediting institution that you are looking at isn't AACSB.

Just double check the accreditation, and if it is prestigious and has hundreds of members, then you can be assured it isn't just a good degree, but that the university also cares about providing the best education for its students.

Who is teaching?

If you want to get into academia, then you'll want staff that are mainly on the faculty permanently and have a long list of research titles behind their name. For a career-focused degree, you'll want a mixture of academics and career stars. After all, who better to teach you on the skills you'll need in the workplace than someone who works or worked in that field?

Guest speakers and rotating lectures also provide great learning tools, so see if your school offers these to you as part of your education. You may get an invitation to attend for free, there may be private online lectures, or at the very least, a subscription might be available to watch these lectures for free online.

What is the ranking?

Ranking should be one of the last metrics that you use to determine whether a university is right for you. The services and quality of the degree should take precedence, but if are accepted into your top three choices, the easiest way to pick is to choose the highest in ranking. Just remember to be clear on the values that matter to you. After all, a university will get a higher ranking if one department is exceptional. If you aren't in that department, then the ranking doesn't mean much.

If you are looking for best in value, or best in your department, then you'll get a much better understanding of your institution by using university rankers.

How to Secure Your Working Environment

If you want to study at home, then all you need is to make sure it is secure (it often is automatically, but yours might not be). A secure Wi-Fi uses encryption methods, and of course, a password to protect your network.

If you want to study right out of work, or you don't want to clutter your home with more stress, then a good alternative is to find a great co-working space, café, or library to work in. Working in these areas can make you feel productive and engaged, but you will want to take extra safety precaution when working on your degree out of your home:

Invest in Anti-Virus and Scanning Software

First things first: you will want to invest in anti-virus software that, most importantly, allows you to scan for issues. There are also additional tools you can add to your internet browser that will inform you about suspicious sites online and block your access until you know of the danger.

The last thing you want is for your personal data that you have given to your university to go out to the world. Scan for viruses beforehand, use a VPN and secured network, and then apply.

Avoid Open Wi-Fi When Dealing with Secure Information

You can use open Wi-Fi in cafes or libraries, but avoid entering sensitive data when you are using it. Don't check your bank accounts when you are on an unsecured connection, don't pay for anything or shop, and definitely don't fill out personal information or enter your password anywhere.

To avoid this, log into the sites that you need before you go to these unsecured locations. It is also a good idea to use a VPN whenever you are online, as this works to encrypt your connection and make it impossible for companies and hackers to track your movements.

Have an Easy Laptop Carry Case

It doesn't matter how small or empty a café is, you don't want to leave your personal belongings alone. It also isn't fair to put that on an employee who is going to be busy with other customers to watch your stuff. To avoid this, simply get a slim laptop case that you can easily fit your laptop, phone, and wallet into. You can leave the rest for that quick jaunt to the bathroom, as they are smaller targets most thieves would never bother with.

Have a Cloud Account

Losing all your notes and hard work that you have put into your degree because your laptop gets wet or stolen is a nightmare. You can completely avoid this scenario by investing in a cloud account. Using your computer brand's personal cloud servers, you can automatically store your files, or you can invest in a third-party. Either way, your documents should always be backed up on the cloud.

This means that they are being stored on not just one external server, but several in different locations. Even if the worst happens and you lose your laptop one way or another, you will have all your work backed up and accessible anywhere with an internet connection.

How to Secure Your Personal Information

Finally, you need to work on securing your personal information. Your personal information is always at risk. It is at risk when you are out in a café, in a library, even at home. The reason it is not secure is because you have to give it out in the first place.

Always Double Check Transaction Details

There was a case recently in the UK where someone's entire inheritance was lost because they entered one wrong digit on the account numbers. It was a fluke that meant one unfortunate person ended up losing £193,000. Worse yet, the recipient of the mistaken funds refused to give it back until the courts demanded it.

Though rules have been changed to stop this sort of thing from happening again, it is always important to double check the transaction details. You may not be paying your institution at all, so verify those details using several pieces of information before you send off your tuition.

Be Familiar with Your Rights Concerning Your Data

Your rights concerning your private data vary from country to country, and even state to state. It is a good idea to brush up on the privacy laws that apply to you, just as a standard. It's good to know what you can expect from the law when it comes to dealing with businesses online.

Never underestimate the value of your data. Know your rights so that you can keep data secure, whether it's from that site you just signed up to, or your university.

Use Unique Passwords

Another great way to protect yourself when out at work, a café, or any other public space to study, is to use unique passwords for everything. That way, if your information is stolen, the damage is limited to only one account.

This isn't just something that you should do if you're out and about, either. Old accounts that you made half a lifetime ago are also huge risks. Those sites have all but died, meaning they are unprotected and easy pickings to mine data from. If you still use the same login credentials as you did back then, then you're in trouble.

Use Two-Factor Authentication Whenever You Can

You will want to put two-factor authentication, and ideally put at least two different verification options. If your phone is lost or stolen, it can make logging in an absolute nightmare. However, if you can alternatively use another email to verify your account, you can get in with no problems and update that number to your new one.

Two-factor authentication again makes it less likely that one stolen login credential will topple over everything that you have worked for.

Staying Secure for Your Future

It is a risk to be online. Many people forget this fact because they are in a nice secure location when they access the internet, but it is something to bear in mind, nonetheless. By using these tips, you can ensure you are investing in the right degree and staying safe throughout your degree.