Technology
Is your child's data up for grabs? The hidden dangers of school tech
This might come as a surprise, but schools collect a significant amount of data about students, often for administrative purposes or through the use of learning apps and school-issued devices. As the new school year begins, it’s crucial to be aware of how this data is managed and protected.
During the back-to-school period, when educational institutions ramp up their use of technology, the risk of data breaches increases. If unauthorized parties, such as marketers or threat actors, gain access to this data, it could be used to create customer profiles for targeted ads or, in more severe cases, identity theft.
Let’s explore the often-overlooked dangers associated with school technology, and I’ll provide preventive measures to help protect your child’s data as they return to school.
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A child and parent working on a computer. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
Understanding school technology
Most schools use apps, devices and management software to make learning easier for your kids. There’s no denying that technology has made schools more efficient and learning more accessible. But, like with everything good, school tech also has its downsides.
Classroom management apps are widely used to track academic performance, while some learning apps also monitor engagement. These apps are intended for educational purposes, but some still share tracked data with third parties, such as advertisers.
Legal protections: COPPA and FERPA explained
The Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) requires these apps and websites to obtain parental consent before collecting information from children younger than 13. However, schools can grant COPPA consent on behalf of parents if a service is used solely for educational purposes.
Also, under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), public schools can share information like your child’s name, address, date of birth, attendance and any honors or awards with third parties without needing parental consent.
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Risks of school-issued devices
Another potential risk involves school-issued devices. Many schools provide tablets or laptops to students, but these devices can easily be targeted by hackers. Hackers can misuse privacy settings, such as location and browser tracking.
If your child uses a school device to post on social media, threat actors could use that information to target them. Even with stringent privacy settings, there’s no guarantee that their posts won’t be seen by the wrong people.
A student working on her laptop. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
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Teach your child about the dangers online
Kids today are spending more time online than ever before, and it’s important to teach them that the internet isn’t always a safe place. Talk to your kids about the dangers of interacting with strangers online. Just because someone has a social media account or email doesn’t mean they’re who they say they are.
Pay close attention to your child’s social media. This means setting clear rules about who they can talk to online. Make sure you have access to their accounts and know their usernames and email addresses.
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Students in a classroom working on their laptops. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
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4 ways to protect your child from the dangers of school tech
Below are four steps that you can follow to keep your child’s personal data secure.
1. Let schools know your privacy preference: At the start of the year, schools often provide privacy options. If you prefer not to have your child’s data shared with third parties, be sure to communicate that. You can opt out by notifying the school not to share your child’s directory information. If you don’t receive a form for this at the beginning of the year, contact the school administrator to request your child’s removal from the directory.
2. Check the school apps: Schools often require your child to use various apps, some for learning and others for tracking. However, it’s important to ensure these apps are trustworthy and aren’t requesting unnecessary device permissions. Be cautious of apps that ask for location access or track browsing activities, as these could pose privacy risks. Take the time to review each app’s permissions and privacy policies to protect your child’s data. Get my picks for the top 4 child monitoring programs of 2024.
3. Monitor school-issued devices: It’s important to know what apps and services they’re accessing on the device. If the device has a camera, consider putting a piece of masking tape or a webcam cover over the lens when it’s not in use. This simple step helps ensure that no unwanted apps or threat actors can use the camera to monitor your child. It’s a quick and effective way to block any potential prying eyes.
4. Beware of back-to-school shopping scams: Hackers are attempting to scam back-to-school shoppers by tricking them into clicking malicious links. Between May and mid-July of this year, the McAfee Labs team identified nearly 6,000 suspicious or malicious links that directed back-to-school online shoppers to inappropriate or torrent sites.
According to the data, McAfee has observed a 380% year-over-year increase in suspicious links targeting consumers doing their back-to-school shopping online, along with a 6% year-over-year rise in unsolicited emails related to the back-to-school season.
The best way to protect yourself from clicking malicious links that install malware is to have strong antivirus protection installed on all your devices. Get my picks for the best 2024 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices.
5 EXPERT HACKS TO SAVE ON BACK-TO-SCHOOL ESSENTIALS
Kurt’s key takeaway
As schools increasingly use technology in the classroom, it’s important to understand how your child’s data is being collected and used. While educational apps and school-issued devices offer many benefits, they also pose risks that are often overlooked. Sharing student data with third parties and the possibility of cyberattacks on school devices are major concerns.
Have you ever reviewed the privacy policies of the apps or software your child’s school uses? What did you find? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact
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Copyright 2024 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved
OpenAI announced yet another reorganization Friday, consolidating certain areas and making company president Greg Brockman the official lead of all things product.
In a memo viewed by The Verge, Brockman wrote that since OpenAI’s product strategy for this year is to go all-in on AI agents, the company is combining its products to “invest in a single agentic platform and to merge ChatGPT and Codex into one unified agentic experience for all.”
To do this, the company is making a suite of org chart changes, although it’s still operating under some of the same ones from last month. That’s when AGI boss Fidji Simo went on medical leave and OpenAI announced that Brockman would be in charge of product strategy and CSO Jason Kwon, CFO Sarah Friar, and CRO Denise Dresser would take control of business operations.
It’s all part of OpenAI’s recent strategic shift to focus on key revenue drivers like coding and enterprise and stop pouring resources into “side quests” ahead of its potential IPO later this year and amid investor pressure to turn a profit.
In Simo’s continued absence, Brockman’s role leading product strategy is now official, as well as the company’s “scaling” arm. Under Brockman will be four different pillars. The first is core product and platform, led by Thibault Sottiaux, who has been OpenAI’s engineering lead for Codex, and the second is critical enterprise industries, led by ChatGPT head Nick Turley. Third is the consumer pillar, such as health, commerce, and personal finance, which will be led by Ashley Alexander, who has been its healthcare products VP. The fourth pillar — core infrastructure, ads, data science, and growth — will be led by Vijaye Raji, who has been OpenAI’s CTO of applications.
Brockman wrote in the memo that OpenAI’s goal is now to “bring agents to ChatGPT scale, in order to give individuals and organizations significantly more value and utility from our products.”
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You’re going about your day when your phone buzzes. A text hits your phone. It looks official. It sounds urgent. And suddenly, you are being told you owe money for a traffic violation. That is exactly what Todd from Texas experienced. He emailed us and said:
“I received this text message today. It was so baffling because I haven’t lived in California for nearly a decade. I didn’t click on anything or respond. How can I tell if this is for real or if this is a scam?”
If you’ve gotten a message like this, you are not alone. This type of scam is spreading fast, and it is designed to pressure you into acting before you think. Let’s break down what is really going on.
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FAKE AGENT PHONE SCAMS ARE SPREADING FAST ACROSS THE US
This message may look official, but several red flags show it is likely a scam designed to pressure you into paying quickly. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
What the traffic ticket scam text looks like
At first, the message seems convincing. It claims to be a “final reminder” from the California DMV, and it warns of penalties like license suspension and added fees. It even includes a link that appears somewhat official. However, once you slow down and take a closer look, the red flags quickly start to pile up.
The biggest red flags in this message
Here are the key warning signs to watch for in messages like this.
9 WAYS SCAMMERS CAN USE YOUR PHONE NUMBER TO TRY TO TRICK YOU
1) The phone number makes no sense
The message comes from a number with a +63 country code. That is the Philippines, not California. Government agencies in the U.S. do not send official legal notices from international numbers. That alone is a major warning sign.
2) No name, just “Dear Driver”
Legitimate notices from a DMV or court almost always include your full name or at least some identifying information. “Dear Driver” is vague on purpose. It allows scammers to send the same message to thousands of people.
3) The link isn’t a real DMV website
The message includes this link:
ca.mnvtl.life/dmv
That isn’t a government domain. Official DMV websites in California use “.ca.gov” or similar trusted domains. Scammers often create lookalike links to trick you into clicking.
4) Urgency and threats
The message pushes you to act quickly with a deadline. It lists consequences like license suspension and extra charges. Scammers rely on fear. When you feel rushed, you are more likely to click without thinking.
FBI WARNS OF DANGEROUS NEW ‘SMISHING’ SCAM TARGETING YOUR PHONE
5) Asking you to reply to proceed
The text says to reply with “Y” to get instructions. That is another trap. Responding confirms your number is active, which can lead to more scam messages.
6) Generic language and odd phrasing
Parts of the message feel slightly off. The tone is formal but not quite right. That subtle awkwardness is common in scam messages sent to large groups of people.
7) Overloaded threats designed to scare you
The message piles on consequences like license suspension, added fees, court action and even credit damage. In this case, it even mentions a license suspension and a $160 late payment charge. That combination is meant to overwhelm you and push you to act fast. Real agencies usually provide clear, specific notices, not a long list of escalating threats in a single text.
INSIDE A SCAMMER’S DAY AND HOW THEY TARGET YOU
Scam texts like this often arrive out of nowhere and try to create urgency before you have time to question them. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
What this means for you
Even if you have never driven in California, you could still receive this message. Scammers cast a wide net and hope someone takes the bait. If you click the link, you could be taken to a fake payment page. That page may ask for your credit card details, personal information or login credentials. In some cases, it can also install malware on your device or redirect you to credential-stealing pages. This isn’t about a ticket. It is about getting your data. State DMVs typically do not send final legal notices or payment demands by text message.
Why these scams keep working
These messages work because they tap into something most people fear. Legal trouble, fines and losing driving privileges. They also look just real enough to pass a quick glance. That is all scammers need. As more services move online, these scams will continue to evolve.
Unlike typical DMV scams, this message impersonates a court and escalates the threats to make the situation feel more serious (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
Ways to stay safe from traffic ticket text scams
Start with a simple rule. Never trust a payment request that shows up out of nowhere. Here are practical steps you can take:
1) Do not click the link
If you are unsure, do not tap anything in the message. That includes links and reply options.
2) Use strong antivirus software
If you accidentally click a link, strong antivirus software can help detect malware and protect your data. Get my picks for the best 2026 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices at Cyberguy.com
3) Verify directly with the DMV
Go to your state’s official DMV website by typing it yourself into your browser. Do not use the link in the text.
4) Check the sender carefully
Look at the phone number. International numbers or random strings are a clear warning sign.
5) Ignore generic greetings
Real notices will usually include your name or case details. Vague language is a red flag.
6) Consider a data removal service
Scammers often get your number from data broker sites. Removing your personal info from those databases with a data removal service can reduce these messages. Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web by visiting Cyberguy.com
7) Block and report the number
On your phone, block the sender and report it as spam. This helps reduce future attempts.
8) Turn on spam filtering
Enable spam filtering on your phone or through your carrier to catch more of these messages before they reach you.
Kurt’s key takeaways
Todd did the right thing. He paused, questioned the message and did not click. That one decision likely saved him from handing over personal information. When it comes to messages like this, skepticism is your best defense. If something feels off, trust that instinct.
Should phone carriers and tech companies be doing more to block scams like this before you ever see them? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com
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- Plus, you’ll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide free when you join.
Copyright 2026 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.
Honda revealed prototypes of two new hybrid models, an Accord sedan and the Acura RDX SUV, during its annual business briefing this week, built on a platform that it says will begin launching next year. The RDX was announced earlier this year as Honda’s first SUV to feature the next-gen version of its two-motor hybrid system.
In March, Honda announced it would take a writedown of up to 2.5 trillion yen ($15.7 billion) on its EV investments. Now Honda says its EV-related losses will be “resolved” by 2029, and that it will reevaluate its EV plans in 2030.
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