Stay looking out for cyber threats

October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month and an excellent time to overview methods to guard info. Information expertise companies (ITS) workers supplied three keys to staying protected on-line:

• Use robust passwords and multi-factor authentication (MFA).
• Recognize and report phishing.
• Update expertise software program when it turns into obtainable.

Stay alert to threats

Cyber threats typically are disguised as routine messages or provides which can be simple to overlook as bother. Here are some frequent purple flags:

Fake login pages: To keep away from faux login pages, all the time use the sign-on dashboard, a safe, single sign-on platform for apps already in use on the college. Be positive when signing in you see login.microsoftonline.com within the URL bar of your browser. 

Phishing types and emails: Never reply to types or emails requesting your Net-ID and password. ITS will by no means ask to your login info over a kind or electronic mail.

Estate giveaway scams: Offers of high-priced objects for a small delivery charge sometimes are scams. Never switch cash to somebody in response to an electronic mail supply.

Impersonated tech assist: Never share your login credentials with somebody claiming to be tech assist. ITS will by no means request your password or MFA code utilizing a textual content message or telephone name.

How to report phishing

If you obtain a message you imagine is phishing to your info, you may:

Protect your pc

Many workers share a workspace or are in areas open to the general public. They ought to lock their display once they step away from their pc or laptop computer. Users can modify their display saver settings to start operating after a particular variety of inactive minutes and require a password to log again in after the display saver begins or the show is turned off. Users can also quick-lock their pc anytime they’re away: 

• On a Windows pc, click on the “Windows” + “L” keys.
• On a Mac, click on “Control” + “Command” + “Q.”