Safe Computing

But I’ll only be gone for a second: lock your computer

Posted in Protect Yourself by on December 3rd, 2021

I am just going to be a short distance away, and I can see my computer from here you may think. What if a quick jaunt away from your desk turns into a thirty-minute conversation after an unexpected run-in with an old friend? Or what if you’re at work heading to the printer to quickly grab the printout and you get stopped by your manager requesting an update on your projects? It’s unexpected moments like these when leaving our computer screen unlocked may result in an invasion of your privacy or a breach of security.

But I use a screensaver

There is a window of time during which your screen may dim before the screen saver appears. During this dim period, your computer may look locked, but it is not. Someone can walk up and press any key or button on your computer to “wake” up the screen. Now they have full access to the information stored there. This could leave you to face the consequences of leaked confidential or personal information.

Protect your confidential and personal information

If you leave your computer screen unlocked while you have work documents or personal accounts open on your computer when you walk away, anyone can come by and steal information or make changes to your account without your knowledge. You never know when you may have guests walk through the halls of your living space or office, or when a stranger at a coffee shop may stroll by. By leaving your computer screen unlocked you have given all of them full access to the information you have stored on your computer.  Simply locking your computer screen can help keep confidential information private and keep you out of trouble. 

Therefore, leaving your computer unattended is like surrendering access to your whole computer – all the files, the open software, and the logged-in account – to someone unauthorized to see them. Every unexpected second you spend away from your computer is a second someone else has with your data. Locking your computer screen when you step away, even for a moment, keeps your data safe and secure and is something you can implement in your daily routine.  

How Do I Lock My Computer?

Make a habit of locking your computer every time you step away, even for a moment, with this simple keypress:

Windows and Mac lock key shortcuts. Windows: Window + L keys. Mac: Q + CONTROL + COMMAND keys.

UM System lists minimum security requirements when using campus computers in order by Data Classification Levels (DCL). All 4 levels require you to lock your computer screen when unattended.  

Yearly Security Training

Posted in Protect Your Campus by on October 26th, 2021

Would you like to learn more about what you can do to keep yourself and your campus safe? Another resource you have available to you, beyond the required S&T yearly security training, is the Percipio cyber security training modules.

Login to Percipio to search for more cyber security training videos and access the required security training>>

Three Steps to Make Yourself Cyber Safe

Posted in Protect Yourself by on October 13th, 2021

The Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) data shows that 2020 had 1.4 million reported identity thefts, and they expect it to increase in 2021. These thefts mainly occur due to outdated software and weak passwords. There are three steps below that you can follow to improve your cyber security.

1. Keep your antivirus software up to date

Personal computers are used for many things such as emailing, messaging, moving funds between bank accounts, going on social media, doing your taxes every year, browsing the web, and more. Therefore, keeping your personal information secure and safe from malware is important. One way to keep malware at bay is to use antivirus software that will detect and remove malware from your computer.

Keep in mind that you need to keep all software up to date so that the computer runs well and helps to keep your information safe. Some antivirus software makes that easy by allowing you to choose automatic updates but you have to search for it in the settings.

It only takes a few minutes to locate and turn on the automatic updates of your existing antivirus software or to install the antivirus software of your choosing to keep you cyber safe.

Recommended Antivirus Software:

Windows

Mac

2. Use a password manager

Passwords are one of the biggest vulnerabilities when it comes to keeping your personal information safe and secure. One way to create and update a strong password is by using a password manager. A password manager is a software application designed to safely store and manage your passwords with encryption. The benefit of using a password manager is that all you need is a single, master password for the manager and you are able to access all the passwords you have saved. Password managers can remind you when it’s time to update your password and notify you if your password may have been compromised. If you aren’t sure that your password is strong enough, a password manager can also help create a password that isn’t associated with your personal information so it is harder to hack.

To use the tool, all you would need to do is pick the password manager that works best with your computer’s operating system – Windows or Mac – and install it. Then you create a master password and start storing your passwords for other software and applications. We do recommend allowing the password manager to create or suggest passwords for you.

Recommended Password Managers:

Windows

Mac

3. Update your Browser

Keeping your web browser up to date by making sure you have all the newest security patches installed is also important when it comes to practicing safe browsing. Computer Hope has step-by-step instructions on how to check for updates for the 6 most common web browsers.

By following all three steps of updating your antivirus, using a password manager, and keeping your browser up to date, you can improve your cyber safety and avoid being one of the reported identity thefts.