Get ready for a cyber safe school year

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You have a lot to figure out this academic year – like, where to find the best snacks on campus, how to wake up for that 8 A.M. class and, most importantly, how to protect your accounts and devices from getting hacked. While we can’t help with the first two, here are some easy tips to help you get cyber safe:

Create strong and unique passphrases for each of your accounts

Even your seemingly unimportant accounts, like that presentation platform you only used for one class, should be protected. Strong passphrases are made of four or more random words and are at least 15 characters long – like ShrekWatermelonCamelSweater.

 

Use a password manager

You have enough memorizing to do these days. Let password PasswordCombination of letters and numbers you select to secure an account or device. managers do the work for you. There are a ton of free and low-cost options that are student budget friendly, and they can help you remember all your unique passwords and passphrases.

 

Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA)

Multi-factor authentication Multi-factor authenticationA tactic that can add an additional layer of security to your devices and account. Multi-factor authentication requires additional verification (like a PIN or fingerprint) to access your devices or accounts. Two-factor authentication is a type of multi-factor authentication. (MFA) uses a personal authentication AuthenticationA process or measure used to verify a user’s identity. process that can include who you are (like a thumb print or facial recognition), what you own (like a FOB) and what you know (like a PIN). Enable it on all your accounts and devices, when possible, to keep them extra secure.

 

Turn on automatic updates

Enabling automatic updates on your devices and your apps means less time manually updating your gadgets, and more time updating your friends on fun campus events. Plus, you’ll get to access new features, prevent cyber threats, and fix glitches and bugs. You can even schedule your updates to run at set times so they don’t interrupt your studies.

 

Install anti-virus software

Malware MalwareMalicious software ("malware") designed to infiltrate or damage a computer system, without the owner's consent. Common forms of malware include computer viruses, worms, Trojans, spyware, and adware. It can: • Intimidate you with scareware, which is usually a pop-up message that tells you your computer has a security problem or other false information. • Reformat the hard drive of your computer causing you to lose all your information. • Alter or delete files. • Steal sensitive information. • Send emails on your behalf. • Take control of your computer and all the software running on it. is malicious software SoftwareA computer program that provides instructions which enable the computer hardware to work. System software, such as Windows, Linux or MacOS, operate the machine itself, and applications software, such as spreadsheet or word processing programs, provide specific functionality. that infects your devices. Some of the most common ways to get malware is by clicking links and downloading something online. Anti-virus software Anti-virus softwareSoftware that defends against viruses, Trojans, worms and spyware. Anti-virus software uses a scanner to identify programs that are or may be malicious. Scanners can detect known viruses, previously unknown viruses and suspicious files. can help protect your devices if you click a malicious link LinkSee Hyperlink. by accident (*cough* like when you and your roommates are trying to stream the latest season of The Bachelor!).

 

Spot the signs of phishing scams

Cyber criminals use phishing PhishingAn attempt by a third party to solicit confidential information from an individual, group, or organization by mimicking or spoofing, a specific, usually well-known brand, usually for financial gain.  scams to steal information or money from you by pretending to be someone that they aren’t (like your bank). They can also pretend to be someone you know, like your professor or classmate. Keep an eye out for suspicious messages or requests. For example, your professor probably wouldn’t ask for gift cards to unlock your grades.

Get more tips to protect yourself and your devices this school year!

Alternative format: Get ready for a cyber safe school year! (PDF 1.5 MB)

 
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