Protect Yourself Against Cyber Threats - Setting up Proper Controls
by Neal Fisch in awareness, data security, holiday scams, passwords, personal security, phishing scams, security, spear phishing attack, staff, students, tips 0
We are starting a new series of blogs targeted at protecting yourself against cyber threats. This series will run over the next few months and cover varying subject matter related to cyber threat protection.
Today's guest blog contributor is Eric Varela. Eric is a student here at CSU Channel Islands majoring in Information Technology with a minor in Security Systems Engineering.
Think before you click: Do not click on links or pop-ups, open attachments, or respond to emails from strangers. Even if an email message has a sender address of someone you know, be sure the email attachments or links were requested from the source. It is possible for sender addresses to be spoofed or taken over. When it doubt, throw it out. A link or attachment could contain malware, and a single click is all it takes to get infected.
Respond only to trusted messages: Do not respond to online requests for personal information such as your date of birth or your credit card numbers; most organizations-banks, universities, companies, etc.-do not ask for your personal information over the internet. (Tip: CSUCI will never ask for your password or login information via email.)
Use passwords properly: Select strong passwords, with a minimum of eight characters and a mix of upper and lowercase letters, numbers and symbols, and change them frequently. Password protect all devices that connect to the internet and user accounts.
You should also remember to:
Stay aware: Routinely monitor bank and credit card accounts for unauthorized charges and unauthorized accounts that have been opened under your name. Annually, you are entitled to a free credit report by the three big credit reporting agencies by federal law. Take advantage of these free reports and stay current on your credit score and history.
Use passwords properly: Select strong passwords, with a minimum of eight characters and a mix of upper and lowercase letters, numbers and symbols, and change them frequently. Password protect all devices that connect to the internet and user accounts.
You should also remember to:
- Not share your password with others.
- Make your password is unique to your life and not something that is easily guessed.
- Have a different password for each online account.
- Write down your password and store it in a safe place away from your computer.
- Change your password several times a year. (Tip: At the beginning and end of each semester.)
