How to stay safe online and protect your school account, data, and devices
Summary
This guide explains the essential steps you can take to stay safe online while using school devices, Microsoft 365, email, and Teams. Cyber security is everyone’s responsibility — a few simple habits go a long way.
Who is this for?
All staff and students.
?️ 1. Protect Your School Account
Your school Microsoft 365 account gives access to:
- Teams
- OneDrive files
- School resources
- Online classes
- Personal data
To keep your account safe:
✔ Always keep your password private
Never share it with anyone — not even friends, teachers, or family.
✔ Use a strong password
Avoid using pets, birthdays, or anything easily guessed.
✔ Change your password immediately if you suspect it’s known
Go to:
https://passwordreset.microsoftonline.com
✔ Always use MFA (Microsoft Authenticator)**
If you get an MFA prompt that you didn’t request, deny it and report it to ICT.
? 2. Be Safe with Emails
Cybercriminals often use fake emails (“phishing”) to:
- Steal passwords
- Install malware
- Trick you into clicking harmful links
- Collect personal information
✔ Watch out for:
- Unexpected password reset emails
- Bad spelling/grammar
- “Urgent” messages
- Unknown senders
- Suspicious attachments
- Links that don’t look right
(Hover over links to preview them)
✔ If unsure — don’t click anything
Report the email to ICT, then delete it.
? 3. Safe Internet Browsing (Lightspeed Filtering)
School devices use Lightspeed Filtering to block:
- Inappropriate websites
- Dangerous or harmful content
- Malware sites
- VPNs & proxies
✔ Even with filtering:
You should still browse safely:
- Only use trustworthy websites
- Don’t download unknown files
- Ignore pop‑ups and adverts
If you believe an educational site is blocked in error, request ICT to review it.
? 4. Think Before You Share (Online Safety)
When communicating online (Teams, email, chat):
✔ Be respectful and professional
Everything you type or say can be saved or shared.
✔ Never share:
- Passwords
- Personal details
- Home address/phone
- Login information
- Sensitive student data (for staff)
✔ Students
Never share unsafe or inappropriate content.
Always report concerns to a teacher or safeguarding lead.
? 5. Keep Your Files Safe (OneDrive & Data Protection)
✔ Save all work to OneDrive, not USB drives
OneDrive provides:
- Automatic backup
- Encryption
- File recovery
- Secure access on any school device
✔ Share files safely:
Use “People in the organisation” sharing, not public/anyone links.
✔ Do not store sensitive files on:
- Desktop
- Downloads folder
- Personal devices
- Unencrypted USB sticks
? 6. Don’t Install Unknown Software
All devices are managed by ICT. Installing unapproved software is disabled to:
- Prevent viruses
- Protect data
- Comply with safeguarding
- Avoid performance issues
If you need software, check Company Portal or raise a request with ICT.
? 7. Recognise Suspicious Behaviour
Possible signs of a cyber‑security issue:
- Unexpected MFA prompts
- Apps asking repeatedly for login
- Files disappearing or being renamed
- Device running unusually slowly
- Strange pop‑ups
- Emails you didn’t send appearing in Sent Items
✔ If ANY of these happen:
Contact ICT immediately.
? 8. Keep Your Device Healthy
✔ Restart regularly
This helps:
- Apply security updates
- Refresh credentials
- Fix minor issues
- Improve performance
✔ Stay signed into your school account
Logging in with a personal account can break syncing or access.
? 9. Never Attempt to Bypass Security
This includes:
- Using VPNs
- Installing proxy apps
- Trying to disable Lightspeed
- Attempting to uninstall Senso
- Logging in with other people’s accounts
These actions breach school policy and safeguarding rules.
? 10. Report Issues Immediately
If something doesn't feel right, or you think you've:
- Clicked a suspicious link
- Entered your password on a fake page
- Seen an inappropriate website
- Received a strange email
- Lost a device
- Noticed unusual activity
Contact ICT straight away.
? https://icts.telfordlangleyschool.co.uk