Explore
Write
Chat
Call
Information Security
Article Archive #2
Service navigation
Importance of Security
Information security is about addressing and reducing IT RISK. It’s easy to overlook risk as a topic when all you hear is talk about passwords, firewalls, encryption, policies, or two-factor authentication. In this section, you’ll read about how the university is at risk and what you can do to reduce the risk in your group, department, and college.
-
Safeguarding Your Online Presence: A Guide to Secure Social Media Use
In today’s interconnected world, social media has become integral to our daily lives. It’s a great way to stay in touch with friends, share experiences, and network professionally. However, it’s crucial to remember that the information we share online can have significant implications for our privacy and security. Here are some tips on how to…
-
The Importance of Information Security
Each week, we have a section in OIT Weekly about information security. We give tips and tricks to help you protect yourself from bad actors. Given how much information security is in the news, this information can feel boring or redundant. Recently though, the University of Michigan experienced a significant information security event that had…
-
Avoid Social Media Mistakes
We want to raise awareness about the potential dangers associated with social media usage. Cybercriminals often exploit personal information shared on social platforms to launch targeted attacks or engage in identity theft. Here are some essential tips to stay safe: Stay vigilant and follow these guidelines to protect your online presence and maintain a secure…
Scam Types
Scams used to be easier to detect without worry. A Nigerian prince asks for a few hundred dollars to give you access to his fortune. But those days are gone, and scammers are in a constant arms race with cybersecurity for your sensitive information. Learn about the different types of scams and how to deal with them.
-
Pretexting
Now more than ever, cybercriminals are using a tactic known as pretexting to catch you off guard. Pretexting is when a cybercriminal impersonates a real person and asks you for help with a fake scenario. They often carry on a conversation with you and use public information to convince you that they are who they…
-
Permission to Hack
Malware researchers recently discovered a trojan app on the Google Play Store. Trojans are malicious applications or software that appear legitimate. Thousands of users downloaded this app before knowing it was malicious. So, it’s important to learn how to spot malicious apps. In this scam, cybercriminals uploaded a malicious screen recording app on the Google…
-
PayPal Payment Ploy
Recently, cybercriminals have taken advantage of the popular (and international) online payment platform, PayPal. Cybercriminals are spoofing PayPal to try and steal your personal or financial information. Cybercriminals in this PayPal ploy send you a phishing email saying that one of your payments didn’t process and that you must act fast. The email contains a…
-
Smishing for Bank Information
A smishing attack(a phishing attack through SMS, or “text” messaging) was recently used by a ring of cybercriminals to steal credit card information. The cybercriminals used this stolen bank information to purchase cryptocurrency (BITCOIN) that they then exchanged for cash. Cybercriminals sent SMS messages pretending to be a bank. The message says that a security…
Benefits & Tips for You
In this section, you can learn about all the different tools available to you at UT, such as secure file sharing and monitoring your systems. We will also share best practices for staying secure at school and at home.
-
Tips for Securing macOS
It’s no surprise that macOS is the second-biggest operating system worldwide. Apple has a well-regulated array of computers available for consumers that merge many strengths of the whole Apple ecosystem. However, this doesn’t mean that you should not take any steps to help secure your macOS computer. Securing your Apple computer involves several steps to…
-
MFA + Strong Passwords: Your Best Defense Against Account Attacks
Multi-factor authentication (MFA) adds an extra layer of protection to your accounts by requiring more than just a password to sign in. Even if a password is stolen through phishing, malware, or a data breach, MFA can still prevent an attacker from accessing your account. This additional safeguard is especially important because passwords can be…
-
Find Out If Your Data Was Exposed in a Breach
Data breaches continue to affect major organizations, and recent reporting has linked the ShinyHunters extortion group to incidents involving Charter Communications, a company with services branded as Spectrum. A simple way to check whether your email address appears in a known breach data is to use Have I Been Pwned at haveibeenpwned.com. This site lets you search your…
Protecting University Data
Discover essential articles on cybersecurity practices specifically tailored for the University of Tennessee. Learn effective strategies to safeguard sensitive information, defend against threats, and maintain data integrity. Equip yourself with knowledge to protect your university’s digital ecosystem.
-
Protecting Your Virtual Machines
Many of us use virtual machines (VMs) on our computers these days for various reasons – to run an older operating system, test new software safely, or access work resources remotely. While VMs provide great flexibility, they also introduce potential security risks if not configured properly. Just like with regular software on your main operating…
-
The Importance of Installing Approved Software
As we navigate the ever-evolving landscape of cybersecurity, it’s crucial for each member of our university to play an active role in maintaining a secure computing environment. Today, we’ll shed light on the significance of only installing approved software on university-owned machines and the impact it has on our collective digital safety. 1. Protecting Sensitive…
-
Enhancing Cybersecurity: A Guide to Browser Extensions
Browser extensions are a great way to enhance your browsing experience but can pose a significant security risk. Cybercriminals frequently use browser extensions to gain access to your personal information, such as login credentials, browsing history, and other sensitive data. In fact, according to a report by Kaspersky, more than 1.3 million users were affected by…