Has Your Device or Email Compromised? Here’s How to Check and Protect Yourself

News Letter Article 1

In today’s digital world, personal devices are gateways to sensitive information, making them prime targets for cyber threats. While the school firewall and email filters provide protection at school, students must take extra precautions when using their devices at home. Here’s how to check if your device or email has been compromised and what to do next.

Signs Your Device May Be Hacked

• Unexpected battery drain or overheating.
• Strange pop-ups or apps you didn’t install.
• Slow performance or frequent crashes.
• Unauthorized transactions or password changes.

Check If Your Email Has Been Compromised

Students and Parents, can use “Have I Been Pwned “ to check if their email has appeared in a data breach. Simply enter your email address, and the site will reveal if it has been leaked.

Steps to Secure Your Device and Email

1. Change Your Passwords Safely – Use a strong, unique password for each account. A good password manager can help.
2. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) – This adds an extra layer of security.
3. Backup Your Data – Store important files in a secure cloud service or external drive.
4. Use a Secure Email Address for Sensitive Information – Avoid using school or public emails for personal accounts.
5. Keep Your Software Updated – Regular updates patch security vulnerabilities.

By following these steps, students and parents can safeguard their devices and personal information from cyber threats.

News Letter Article 2

Recognising Phishing Attempts: Don’t Take the Bait

Phishing scams are designed to trick users into revealing personal information, such as passwords or financial details. These scams often come in the form of emails, texts, or fake websites that mimic trusted sources. Here’s how to spot them:

Common Signs of Phishing

• Urgent or threatening language – Messages claiming your account will be locked if you don’t act immediately.
• Suspicious links or attachments – Hover over links to check their actual destination before clicking.
• Requests for personal information – Legitimate companies won’t ask for sensitive details via email or text.
• Poor grammar or unusual formatting – While scammers are improving, errors can still be a red flag.

How to Stay Safe

1. Verify the sender – If unsure, contact the company directly using official contact details.
2. Use multi-factor authentication (MFA) – This adds an extra layer of security.
3. Report phishing attempts – Most email providers have a “Report Phishing” option.
4. Never click on suspicious links – Instead, navigate to the official website manually.

For more details, click here to check out this guide.

News Article 3 

Safe Backups: Protecting Your Data from Viruses

Backing up your data is essential, but if done incorrectly, backups can become infected with malware. Here’s how to ensure your backups remain secure:

Best Practices for Safe Backups

• Use offline backups – Store backups on external drives that are disconnected when not in use.
• Cloud backups with security features – Choose services that offer encryption and malware scanning.
• Regularly scan backup files – Before restoring, scan backups with updated antivirus software.
• Keep multiple versions – Maintain several backup copies to avoid restoring infected files.

Steps to Prevent Backup Infections

1. Backup only clean files – Ensure your system is malware-free before backing up.
2. Use write-protected storage – Prevent unauthorized modifications to backup files.
3. Enable automatic backups – Set up scheduled backups to reduce human error.
4. Test your backups – Periodically restore files to confirm they are intact and uninfected.

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🔒  Lock Your Screen – A Simple Step for Big Protection

One of the easiest ways to protect your phone, tablet, or laptop is by setting up a screen lock. Whether it’s a PIN, password, fingerprint, or face recognition, a screen lock helps keep your personal information safe if your device is lost or stolen.

Helpful tips: 

- Set your device to auto-lock after a short period of inactivity (like 30 seconds to 1 minute).
- Use a strong PIN or password—avoid simple numbers like 1234 or your birth year.
- Teach children to lock their screens when not in use, especially at school or in public places.

Remember when in school always log out from school computers when finished with them as it protects you from someone accessing your device.

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AI in NCEA Assessments: What Students Need to Know

As artificial intelligence (AI) tools become more accessible, students may wonder whether they can use them for schoolwork. However, under the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) guidelines, AI-generated content must not be submitted for external NCEA assessments.

Why AI Use is Restricted

NZQA emphasizes academic integrity, ensuring that all student work reflects their own understanding and effort. AI-generated responses can:

• Misrepresent student knowledge by producing content that isn’t their own.
• Introduce inaccuracies—AI tools sometimes generate misleading or incorrect information.
• Bypass critical thinking—learning is about developing reasoning skills, not just producing answers.

How NZQA Ensures Authenticity

Teachers and assessors use several strategies to verify student work:

• Regular check-ins to monitor progress.
• Comparing writing styles with previous work.
• Requiring proper citations for all sources.
• Observing student reasoning through discussions and follow-up questions.

What This Means for Students

• AI tools can be used for research, when appropriate and with teacher permission but students must write their own responses.
• Any AI-generated material must be properly referenced and not submitted as original work.
• Schools are encouraged to educate students on responsible AI use while maintaining assessment integrity.

For more details, refer to the official NZQA guidance on AI use in assessments here.

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 🔵 Bluetooth Risks – Why You Shouldn’t Leave It On

Bluetooth makes it easy to connect to wireless headphones and speakers, but leaving it on all the time can put your device at risk. Hackers can use open Bluetooth connections to access your phone or tablet without you even knowing, especially in public places like malls, buses, or airports.

To stay safe: 

• Turn off Bluetooth when you're not using it.  
• Use quick settings or voice commands to toggle it easily. 
• Avoid pairing with unknown devices.

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🎧.: Earbuds All Day? Here’s What You Should Know

Wearing earbuds all day might seem harmless, but it can affect both your hearing and your safety. Listening at high volumes for long periods can lead to hearing damage, and having earbuds in constantly can make you less aware of your surroundings—especially when walking or biking.

Tips for healthy listening: 

• Follow the 60/60 rule: 60% volume for no more than 60 minutes at a time.
• Clean earbuds regularly to prevent infections. 
• Give your ears regular breaks throughout the day.

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📶 Public Wi-Fi – Convenient but Risky

Free Wi-Fi at cafes, airports, or libraries is convenient, but it can also be dangerous. Hackers often use these networks to steal personal information like passwords or credit card numbers, especially if the network isn’t secure.

To stay protected: 

• Avoid logging into sensitive accounts on public Wi-Fi. 
• Use your phone’s hotspot or a VPN for safer browsing.
• When in doubt, wait until you're on a secure network.

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📱 Social Media Oversharing – Think Before You Post

It’s fun to share photos and updates online, but posting too much personal information can be risky. Details like your birthday, school name, or travel plans can be used by scammers to guess passwords or track your location.

Smart sharing tips:

• Use privacy settings to control who sees your posts. 
• Avoid sharing anything that could identify or locate you. 
• Talk with your children about safe posting habits.

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🔐  : App Permissions – Are You Giving Away Too Much?

Many apps ask for access to your camera, contacts, or location—but not all of them need it. Some apps collect more data than necessary, which can put your privacy at risk or drain your battery faster.

What you can do: 

• Review app permissions in your phone’s settings. 
• Turn off access that isn’t needed (e.g., location for a calculator app). 
• Only install apps from trusted sources.