Safe Computing
2022 Cybersecurity Month Cards
What do you have to know in order to stay safe on the internet? How can someone learn the ways that hackers operate, without falling prey to one themselves? To help get the word out about where these questions can be answered, S&T IT sent out a series of cards focused on different aspects of cybersecurity to all university departments. Each card links back to the Safe Computing website's homepage. Safe Computing is a website where the S&T community can learn to recognize and defend against threats that face us any time we use the web. Each department received one random card as a way to drive conversation about cybersecurity between departments. That said, it is likely that not everyone got to see all four cards. As such, all four cards can be found below in an animated and digitized form.
Card 1: Safe
A strong password is the first line of defense against cyberattacks. As such, the Safe Card was made to raise awareness about password security. With modern computers able to store large quantities of data, a strong password works to ensure that you and your data stay safe from any and all threats. For more information on password creation, see S&T's password requirements here.
Card 2: Viruses
The Virus card draws attention to the very real and ever-present threat of malware and computer viruses. These are malicious programs that can corrupt your own computer's programs. They can deny access to your computer until you pay a fee (See our ransomware card below for more information), steal sensitive data, and can even cause physical damage to your PC. For more information on how to defend yourself from viruses, see our malware and antivirus detection software article.
Card 3: Ransomware
The Ransomware card was made to be a reminder of one of the ways cyberattacks can occur. Many times, a cyberattack presents itself as something beneficial in order to lure you in and trick you into giving away personal information or other important data. Ransomware uses viruses to lock users out of their computer's programs or files until the victim pays a sum of money. These attacks can be incredibly harmful and as such, they should always be something to watch out for when using your computer. If your computer has been hit with a virus, ransomware, or phishing attack, see our article about how to report the incident to S&T's IT Security.
Card 4: Phishing
The Phishing Card calls awareness to the problem of online phishing attacks. These attacks attempt to trick you into giving away personal information by presenting themselves as a trustworthy source. Many times, phishing is done through emails. As such, be sure to double-check the sender of any emails you receive and ensure that any actions the sender wants you to perform are legitimate. Read our article about phishing for more information.
The Safe Computing website is dedicated to helping you remain aware of the ways that you can protect yourself from cyberattacks. Make sure to check in regularly to stay up to date on cybersecurity threats through the security advisories page, learn helpful tips about how to protect yourself online, and see how protecting yourself protects your campus at large.
