December 18, 2025
We’ve all been there. You’re in the middle of a lesson plan, a grading session, or a critical meeting, and a notification pops up: "Update Required." Or, you’re trying to log into a portal and realize you have to go find your phone for a Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) code.
I hear the complaints every week:
"The password requirements are too strict."
"MFA is too much work."
"These updates are ruining my lesson."
Security creates friction, but it's the kind of friction that keeps us safe. I would much rather ask you for a quick MFA code today than have to notify families of a data leak tomorrow, or lose weeks of school time while we recover from a preventable cyber attack.
Digital citizenship isn't about jumping through arbitrary hoops; it’s about collective defense. Here is why those four "annoyances" are actually your best friends.
Those update reminders aren't just for new features or emojis. Most of the time, they are security patches. Hackers are constantly looking for "open doors" in software. When a developer finds one, they send out a patch to lock it. If you click "Remind Me Later," you are leaving your door unlocked while the burglar is already on the porch.
Passwords can be guessed, stolen, or bought on the dark web. Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is the "Deadbolt" on your digital door. Even if a hacker has your password, they can't get in without that second physical device. It adds ten seconds to your login, but it prevents 99% of bulk hacking attempts.
If you are still using your dog’s name, your anniversary, or "Password123," you aren't using a password ... you're using a suggestion. Passwords are meant to be a secret, so don't share them or make them easy to figure out.
Phishing is no longer just about "Nigerian Princes" sending you millions of dollars. Today, it looks like a "Urgent Invoice" or a "Mandatory Survey from the Principal." Before you click, look for these red flags: generic greetings, hyper-urgent language, and slightly misspelled email addresses (e.g., @school-distric.org instead of @schooldistrict.org).
Security measures aren't designed to make your life harder; they are designed to make our school community safer. Every time you verify your identity or update your laptop, you aren't just protecting your own files, you’re protecting your students and your colleagues.
Let’s move past the "annoyance" and start building better habits.
Eva Harvell / TechTeachGrow