Web-based options such as LastPass or RoboForm (range from $10 - $20 annual) and desktop-based options such as KeePass o
Cyber Security Tips General Tips • Back Up, Back Up, Back Up Create frequent backups of your data. For University related data, be sure to use IT provided network servers that employ data protection such as snapshots and backups. Ransomware, a type of malware that criminals use to attack your data by encrypting it all then makes you buy the decryption key from them, is a big deal. It is very popular because criminals are finding that it is effective, even when sometimes they lie and there is no decryption key. If you get attacked by ransomware, backups can be used to restore your data without having to pay the bad guys.
• Don’t open untrusted or unexpected e-mail attachments or applications Just because the e-mail looks legitimate or is from your friend, if you don’t know what the attachment is or you weren’t expecting it, be safe, don’t open it.
• Login to secure sites only If the web address doesn’t start with https:// then do not enter your credentials if it prompts you to. Http (without the ‘S’) is unencrypted and that means your username and password are being sent across the internet in clear-text...meaning it is readable to humans who happen to be looking.
• Be mindful of what you post to social media Criminals use social media as a treasure trove of information when they are up to no good. There are no takebacks on the internet. Once something gets posted, it stays out there, even when you delete you post.
• Erase your data before disposing it or trading it in Deleted data can sometimes still be read from the device, even after a factory reset. A good way to securely delete your data is to first encrypt the device (if you have not already done so) and then perform a factory reset.
Accounts and Passwords • Use a different password for each account you use online Don’t let one website’s security breach put your other accounts in jeopardy. If you hear about a security breach with one of your websites, change your password for that site immediately.
• Employ a password manager to help you keep up with your passwords With just one password to remember, many password managers can store other information such as the answers to your secret questions, e-mail addresses you use for that account and, many even store a history of older passwords in case of you need to access old data.
Pro Tip: Want the convenience of webbased option but aren’t keen on storing your password with an online service? Use your OneDrive to sync your desktop-based password manager to your different devices.
Web-based options such as LastPass or RoboForm (range from $10 - $20 annual) and desktop-based options such as KeePass or 1Password (ranging from Free to $40).
• Use a long phrase for a password to make it harder to crack Studies show that the longer the password, the harder it is to crack, even when it is less complex. If using a password manager, enjoy the best of both worlds by letting it generate a long random password.
