AO Back-to-school laptop safety warning issued to parents

As students prepare for the new academic year, experts warn that overlooking basic laptop security could leave young people vulnerable to cyber threats.

Nick Bunce, a technology expert at AO.com, said: “In the rush of getting ready for school, it’s easy to forget about reviewing how secure our laptops actually are.

“But with laptops often holding much more than school work, like emails, personal details and photos, the risks of not getting security sorted are high.

“Spotting these now and taking action can protect your work and personal data.”

He warned against using the same password across multiple accounts, noting that if one account is compromised, others could easily be accessed.

Mr Bunce said: “Before the new school year starts, it’s worth checking that important accounts such as email, cloud storage and online learning platforms all have unique passwords.

“A password manager can help keep track of them; just make sure this is password protected as well.

(Image: (AO World/PA)

“To add an extra layer of security, it’s also worth enabling multi-factor authentication wherever it’s available.”

He also urged students not to ignore software updates, saying these often contain critical security improvements.

Mr Bunce said: “Making sure your laptop is fully up to date before term starts can help improve security and ensure everything is running smoothly when you need it most.”

While modern laptops have built-in protection, Mr Bunce suggested enabling extra features like fingerprint login, facial recognition, device encryption and security alerts for added peace of mind.

He said: “For additional reassurance, installing antivirus software adds another layer of protection, but the most important step is making sure the security features already available on their laptop are being used.

“Taking a few minutes to review passwords and install updates and back up important work can help protect both personal information and coursework throughout the year.”

The advice comes amid wider concerns about digital safety for children, including the risks of sharing images online.

Recent warnings have highlighted how photos posted on social media can be misused by criminals using artificial intelligence to create child sexual abuse material.

Parents are being encouraged to think carefully about what they share online and to talk with children about privacy and consent.

The Internet Watch Foundation and National Crime Agency have launched a campaign offering guidance on protecting children’s images from being exploited.