The COVID-19 pandemic marked a significant turning point in India’s education system, as it led to the rapid adoption of online education. The pandemic forced educational institutions to shut down, disrupting the traditional classroom-based learning model. In response, online education emerged as a viable alternative to ensure continuity of learning. The adoption of online education in India during the pandemic was the need to maintain social distancing. With the government imposing nationwide lockdown and restrictions on gatherings, government and educational institutions had to find alternative ways to reach their students. Online education provided a solution, allowing students to continue learning from the safety of their homes. Because of government incentives and to fulfill students’ expectations, the usage of Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL) has exploded in academia. Through applications such as online learning platform, like MOOCs and SAWYAM, gamification tools like kahoot Quizlet and learning management system (LMS) such as Google classroom, Google meet and different digital learning platforms also integrated digital-based assessment, and an attendance management system, technology is being employed for academic administration and student self-service. Students’ higher education costs were found to be reduced by using online learning and MOOCs. Furthermore, ICT allows HEIs to streamline academic administration, increase transparency and speed up the processing of academic data. It is thought that incorporating technology into the classroom will improve the teaching and learning process. However, there are a lot of issues that students face globally, such as E-mail Phishing, Cyberbullying, Misinformation, Internet Banking-related Frauds, Fake Messages, Fake News etc. Therefore digital awareness and digital hygiene importance to the education sector in India. In a 21centuryera when digital technology rules our lives now deeply interwoven with the virtual world. The world of technology dramatically impacts our daily lives from work and school to online education, communication and entertainment. However, the concept of “Digital Hygiene” introduces a new kind of awareness and responsibility that comes with this growing reliance on technology. Digital hygiene refers to the practices and habits that individuals adopt to maintain a safe and healthy online presence. Just as personal hygiene is essential for physical health, digital hygiene is crucial for protecting one’s online identity, data, and devices from various threats. In today’s digital era, individuals are constantly connected to the internet, making them vulnerable to cyber threats, online harassment, and data breaches. Digital hygiene practices help mitigate these risks by promoting responsible online behaviour, protecting personal data, and maintaining the security of digital devices.
“The Indian government has worked hard to improve cyber hygiene and foster a cyber security culture in the nation. Through a range of initiatives including policies, awareness programs, and guidelines the government is working to enhance cyber security awareness and promote safe online practices among citizens, organizations, and government agencies.”
Digital hygiene involves a range of practices, including using strong and unique passwords, keeping software and operating systems up-to-date, being cautious when clicking on links or downloading attachments and using antivirus software to protect against malware. Additionally, digital hygiene involves being mindful of online behaviour such as avoiding suspicious websites, not sharing personal information online and being respectful and courteous in online interactions. Moreover, digital hygiene also involves taking steps to protect one’s online identity such as using two-factor authentication, monitoring credit reports, and being cautious when sharing personal information online. It also involves being aware of online scams, phishing attempts, knowing how to report and respond to them. Digital hygiene is essential in today’s digital era. By adopting good digital hygiene practices, individuals can protect their online identity, data, and devices from various threats, and maintain a safe and healthy online presence. It is crucial for individuals to prioritize digital hygiene and make it an integral part of their daily online activities. The Indian government has started a number of awareness programs to educate students, individuals and organizations about cyber hygiene and cyber security best practices. These initiatives aim to encourage people to promote safe browsing habits and foster a culture of cyber security. In order to respond to cyber security crises and raise awareness of cyber security, the government also created the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) as the national nodal agency. CERT-In offers a variety of services, including as cyber security awareness, vulnerability management, and incident response. The Indian government has worked hard to improve cyber hygiene and foster a cyber security culture in the nation. Through a range of initiatives including policies, awareness programs, and guidelines the government is working to enhance cyber security awareness and promote safe online practices among citizens, organizations, and government agencies.
(The author a resident of Odisha is presently a student at Central University of Kashmir. The views, opinions and conclusions expressed in this article are those of the author and aren’t necessarily in accord with the views of “Kashmir Horizon”)
Sujit Kumar Bhoi
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