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When university computer systems suffer a malware attack, it is a nightmare. In addition to slowing down the entire campus’s internet services, malware can steal personal information and create data breaches campus-wide.

Unfortunately, cybercriminals are well aware of the possibilities for data retrieval on college campuses. As Sue Marquette Poremba explains, “Not only does the university store the personal information and medical records of 70,000 students and 20,000 faculty members and other staffers, but it also has financial data for sports and theater season-ticket holders […] Then there is all of the intellectual property generated by professors, graduate students and other research professionals.”

For these reasons and more, universities must protect themselves from malware and other internet security attacks. Let’s look at some ways universities can avoid data breaches and other cyber headaches.

What is Malware?

Malware is malicious software that is designed to retrieve information from computer users or cause damage to the computer system. Malware consists of adware, spyware, viruses, keyloggers, ransomware, botnets, and more. Some malware is sophisticated codes, while others are phishing attempts that prey on vulnerable, unsuspecting email users.

Plan for Security

First things first, universities should plan for security. This means having a top-notch IT department that carefully monitors the university’s network and plans for the best security possible. This means having security protocols in place before events occurred and making sure

Purchase Educational Security Solutions

There are several educational companies that provide security solutions for schools and universities. These companies protect against security threats (such as malware detection software), as well as emergency management technology.

Use Antivirus Software

All schools should use up-to-date antivirus software that regularly updates, and they should provide access to the entire campus community. This means providing the software to each student and professor who utilizes the university’s network.

Utilize the Cloud

Universities should take advantage of the cloud-based anti-virus software programs. Also, the university should do as much work in the cloud as possible. This will ensure that should information be lost during potential security breaches that the most important information will still be accessible via a cloud service.

Encourage Staff and Students to Have Strong Passwords

The stronger the password, the harder it is to hack. Therefore, encourage all staff and students using the university network to have a unique login and a strong password. Establish guidelines for strong passwords.

In Conclusion

To protect the university’s campus network, students and staff must understand their role. On that account, you must teach your staff and students about digital responsibility. Provide information about how to protect their personal computers and devices from malware and other security threats.

Asian universities are continuing their ascent into the top universities in the world. In fact, established universities aren’t just gaining ground, new universities are forming and joining them in their quest to provide world-class education.

Looking for a university in Asia? Here are four of our favorites:

1.   Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology is a medium-size research school based on the island of Hong Kong. Founded in 19991, HKUST is a premier destination for students with a keen interest in the sciences as well as technology, business, and engineering.

The university often ranks among the top 10 universities in Asia, but recently it has aimed for the top of the list of global universities, coming in at #36 on QS’s list.

2.   Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology

The Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology (KAIST) makes the list because of its position as a highly-productive research university and its global academic reputation.

KAIST was Korea’s first major public research institution in 1971. Today, it is home to just over 10,000 students. However, its student makeup is unique because there are more postgraduate and doctoral students combined than there are undergraduates.

Located in Daejeon, South Korea, this university is a huge get for postgraduates interested in a career in research and the number of citations produced among the faculty is second to none not only in Asia but globally.

3.   Nanyang Technological University

Nanyang Technical University is one of the best universities in the world and is consistently ranked as one of the best in Asia. Additionally, it’s been ranked in the number one spot on the QS Top 50 Under 50.

Located in Singapore, Nanyang Technological University is a science school, but it hasn’t pigeonholed itself. From materials science to engineering to natural sciences, there is no shortage of great programs for students at the undergraduate and post-graduate levels.

4.   Fudan University

Fudan University is the oldest and largest university on this list.  Based in Shanghai, it is one of the most competitive universities in mainland China and is known for both its wide range of disciplines and the quality of graduates it produces across politics, medicine, science, and in the humanities.

Fudan isn’t as research-oriented as KAIST or HKUST, but it does have a strong academic reputation and an international faculty, both of which benefit the student experience.

Will you be studying at any of these top universities in 2018? Did we miss a university from your list? Let us know in the comments.

The Times Higher Education World University Rankings for 2018 listed 46 universities in South America on its top 1000 list. Most of the picks are found in Brazil, but there are quality universities located across the continent.

Hoping to study at home or move abroad to work on your Spanish or Portuguese?

Here are three of our favorite top universities in South America for 2018.

1.   University of Sao Paulo

The University of Sao Paulo, located in Brazil’s capital city, has been identified as the top university in South America, cracking the top 300 list on the Times rankings.

USP has nearly a century of history in academic excellence. Founded in 1934, it pioneered higher education and new teaching standards in Brazil. As a point of interest for academics around the world, it has long attracted the world’s best teachers across a range of disciplines. The school has also produced presidents, CEOs, and incredible researchers.

USP is a huge school – it’s home to 90,000 students across 11 campuses located in Sao Paulo and beyond. Students have 200 undergraduate and 200 postgraduate programs to choose from.

2.   Diego Portales University

Diego Portales University is one of the top universities in South America located outside Brazil. Founded in 1982, it DPS is Chile’s first private university and has two campuses in Santiago and Huechuraba.

The school has just over 14,000 students and around 1,300 staff. Students are able to take on one of 31 undergraduate programs either as full-time day students or in evening classes. Faculties at DSP range from architecture art and design to law to engineering and sciences, providing a well-rounded education.

3.   Pontifical Javeriana University

Colombia’s best university is one of the top universities in South America. Pontifical Javeriana University, named after Francis Xavier, the Jesuit founder of the Friends of Jesus, is also one of the oldest universities on the continent – it has been educating students continuously since it was founded in 1623.

Its status as a Jesuit university is not uncommon – 28 South American universities are run by the Friends of Jesus organization.

One of the things we like about this university is that it combines a large number of degree options with small class sizes, something not found at USP or at Diego Portales.

South America is home to some world-class universities offering a variety of degree programs in intimate settings. Are you looking for schools in South America? What schools top your list?

Low-income students have incredible obstacles to overcome to reach college.

They need to deal with poor public schools that hold back students living in low-income areas due to the property tax funding system. Low-income students also have poorer access to college-readiness and preparation resources. They’re even less likely to have help figuring out financial aid, even though they qualify for it.

A report from the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation shows that nearly 1 in 4 high-achieving, low-income students navigate the college process entirely on their own.

While it doesn’t hold all students back, low-income, high-achieving students make up only 3 percent of the student bodies at elite colleges.

Yes, low-income students at elite institutions are unicorns. But they shouldn’t be.

How Can We Boost Enrollment Rates of High-Achievers?

There’s no easy answer to helping more high-achievers reach elite colleges because of the host of factors at play.

However, elite colleges can take steps to not only attract those students but to help them overcome the barriers they face in getting in. This must go beyond providing more grants and scholarships and take a more hands-on approach.

According to the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation, who conducted the survey about high-achieving, low-income students, colleges can take steps to improve transparency in the admissions process and reduce the number of fees thrown at colleges.

Here are a few ways they can do so:

Making Fee Waivers Easier

The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation survey found that concerns about college costs discouraged one out of three high-achievers from even applying. These costs include room and board, but even the application fee can put students off.

What is more, those students aren’t sure whether that fee would be waived or if they qualified for a fee waiver.

More transparency will allow students to apply in the first place.

Providing Access to Visits

Most high-achieving students from low-income backgrounds never visit their school of choice. They’re exposed only to the promotional materials disbursed by the school.

The inability to visit is problematic in many ways. First, they’re not able to see first-hand what it will be like to go to school there, leaving them with an intimidating impression of the elite college world.

Moreover, college brochures don’t typically feature low-income students, which is important for encouraging and inspiring them.

Pick Up the Slack from Public Schools

Many students are first-generation college students whose parents don’t have first-hand knowledge of the college application system. They then have to rely on community resources, like public schools, which are too often overwhelmed with hundreds of students.

Elite colleges can reach out to these students by enabling students at the university to help high school students via their alumni networks.

At the end of the day, elite colleges benefit from the contributions high-achieving, low-income students make to their campuses, and it’s not enough to wait for those students to come to them.

Has your university set a plan to help the best and brightest reach their goals? Share your thoughts here.

The top schools in Central America are dominated by the Mexican institutions in North America, several of which have cracked the top spots on the Times Higher Education top 1,000 list.

However, there are plenty of great schools to choose from throughout the region.

We’ve put together a list of our favorite universities in Central America for the next school year.

1.   National Autonomous University of Mexico

The National Autonomous University of Mexico is a public research university based in Mexico City. Its urban campus is a sight to behold and is so unique that it is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

UNAM is a highly selective school, admitting only 8% of all applicants. It’s also an important research school in many areas. In fact, every Mexican Nobel laureate has either been alumni of or a faculty member at the school.

UNAM’s student body is incredible. It’s home to 187,195 undergraduates and 26,169 postgraduates. Not all students attend the main Mexico City campus; there are also other campuses across the metropolitan area as well as in other cities catering to graduate studies and research across Mexico.

2.   Central American University Jose Simeon Canas

Central American University, commonly known as UCA El Salvador is a private university based in the El Salvadorian capital of San Salvador. The university is run by the Society of Jesus and is one of many Central and South American universities run by the Jesuits.

The school is small – it’s home to just under 9,000 students and only around 400 staff. Yet, despite its size, the school has played a role in Central American politics. Today, it provides undergraduate and postgraduate programs across many subjects ranging from science to humanities to professional degrees.

3.   University of Panama

Located in Panama City, the University of Panama is a public university with satellite campuses across the country.

It was founded in 1935 with four disciplines and 175 students. Today, the school is home to nearly 75,000 students who have the opportunity to attend an institution that takes its role in global research seriously. The university participates in international research agreements and information exchanges as professors and staff visit institutions around the world.

Are you looking for a school in Central America? Have these three institutions made your list? Let us know in the comments below.