Back-to-School Cybersecurity Guide for Parents & Students

It’s that time of the year again folks! Fresh notebooks, new shoes, and a very busy time for scammers.

While parents are hunting for good deals and students prepare for back-to-school season, cybercrooks are stepping up their game, hoping to catch families off guard.

That’s why good cyber hygiene and awareness are just as important as your shopping lists to protect not just your identity and finances, but also your well-being as the new school season starts.

Here’s what you need to watch out for

‘Too Good to Be True’ Deals

Every parent knows how expensive school supplies and textbooks can get, so it’s no surprise that fake online stores pop up offering “deep discounts.” Instead of rushing for a bargain, check the legitimacy of the offer. If it sounds too good to be true, it’s a scam. A quick scan of the link with Bitdefender Link Checker can instantly reveal whether a website is trustworthy or dangerous.

Scholarship Traps and Fake Aid Promises

Scholarships are lifelines for students, and scammers exploit this by promising guaranteed funding in exchange for fees. These schemes are designed to steal money and personal information. Remember: no legitimate scholarship asks for payment to apply. If in doubt, use Bitdefender Scamio to paste the suspicious message and get an instant analysis. Scamio acts like your personal scam detector, available 24/7 to help you scrutinize all kinds of offers, listings, suspicious emails and links. Plus, it’s free and easy to use, with no installation needed.

You may also want to read these articles for more insights:

Housing, Jobs, and College-Specific Scams

College and university students face unique risks. Rental scams are rampant, with fraudsters posting fake listings and running off with deposits before students realize the property doesn’t exist. Others dangle part-time or remote jobs promising easy money, only to trick students into buying gift cards or cashing counterfeit checks. These scams drain savings and can leave students entangled in identity theft investigations. The best defense is to slow down and verify opportunities with trusted sources like campus housing boards and official job portals.

The Hidden Risks of Oversharing

Parents love sharing those first-day-of-school photos, but scammers comb through social media for small details that can be weaponized. A picture showing a school name, grade level, or even bus route can expose children to risks. Students themselves also overshare their schedules and locations online, becoming easy targets for phishing and impersonation. Practicing mindful posting habits is a simple but powerful layer of defense.

What many families don’t realize is that this information doesn’t just stay online — scammers often recycle it in phone scams. Using a child’s name, school, or daily routine, fraudsters can place convincing calls to parents or even grandparents, claiming there’s been an emergency and demanding money. That’s why mindful posting habits aren’t just about privacy, but also about protecting your loved ones from being manipulated by scammers.

You can now block scam calls with Bitdefender. Read more here.

You may also want to read these articles for more insights:

Cyber-hygiene Every Family Should Practice

Safeguarding your digital life goes beyond spotting scams. It’s about building good habits that stick with every member of the family. Start with strong, unique passwords for every account.

If coming up with dozens of secure logins sounds overwhelming, the Bitdefender Password Generator can create strong, uncrackable combinations in seconds.

For parents and students who need solid protection on a budget, Bitdefender Free Antivirus is a no-cost, reliable shield against malware and phishing threats.

Add regular updates for devices, cautious use of public Wi-Fi, and two-factor authentication, and you’ve got a foundation that keeps the whole family safer year-round.