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Information Security
Article Archive #2
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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.
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Can You Identify a Phishing Website?
A phishing website is a malicious site designed to steal sensitive information such as login credentials, credit card numbers, and other personal data. These websites often mimic legitimate sites to trick users into interacting with the website. Recognizing the signs of a phishing website and knowing how to protect yourself can help prevent identity theft…
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Can You Identify a Phishing Email?
Phishing emails are a common tactic used by cybercriminals to steal personal information, such as passwords, credit card numbers, and other sensitive data. Understanding and identifying these malicious emails can help protect you from falling prey to scams and potential security breaches. What is a Phishing Email? A phishing email is a fraudulent message that…
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Passwords, Passwords Everywhere!
Did you know that the average person uses the same three to seven passwords to log in to over 170 online accounts? In addition to being reused, these passwords are often weak and easily guessed by cybercriminals. If cybercriminals successfully guess these weak passwords, they can access most of their victims’ online accounts. Even worse,…
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.
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Typosquatting: When a Tiny Typo Leads to Big Trouble
Have you ever mistyped a website address? Maybe you accidentally hit “goggle.com” instead of “google.com”? Well, that seemingly innocent slip-up can lead you down a treacherous path—one paved with cyber traps. What Is Typosquatting? Typosquatting is like a cunning chameleon. It preys on our human tendency to fumble our keystrokes. Here’s how it works: Why…
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Spotting and Avoiding Phishing Attacks
Phishing is essentially someone trying to get you to do something via email, usually by asking you to volunteer personal information or click a link, which enables them to compromise you, your accounts, or your computer. Other kinds of phishing may require you to open an attachment or a link, which can infect your computer…
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Obscured, Obfuscated Links
Recently, researchers have discovered another technique cybercriminals use to steal your information. In this technique, cybercriminals use obfuscated links to show IP addresses like XXX.XXX.XXX.XXX, instead of websites. Obfuscated links are URLs that have been modified to hide the real location of a website. In this attack method, cybercriminals send an urgent email that appears to come from a legitimate source and…
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Phishing and Phishing and Phishing
Cybercriminals know the best strategies for gaining access to the university’s sensitive data – Social Engineering. They simply manipulate your trust by posing as something or someone you trust. According to experts at IBM, human error accounts for 95% of security incidents. Protect your data by familiarizing yourself with the various techniques and telltale signs of…
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.
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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…
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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…
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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.
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Protecting Against Malware Concealed in PNG Images
In our ongoing commitment to keeping our environment safe and secure, we bring to your attention a notable cybersecurity concern. The infiltration of malware via PNG (Portable Network Graphics) images has seen a rise and warrants collective vigilance. The Threat: Malware Embedded within PNG Images Cyber adversaries have found a method to embed malicious code…
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Protecting Your Digital World: Defeating MFA Fatigue
Safeguarding your online accounts and sensitive information is more critical than ever. One powerful tool in your security arsenal is Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), which adds an extra layer of defense beyond just a password. However, there’s a challenge many users face: MFA fatigue. What is MFA? Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) is a security method that requires…
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A Cyber Security Guide for Higher Ed
What Students, Faculty, and Staff Need to Know October is a special month for online safety, especially for those of us in higher education. It’s National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM), a time when we focus on learning how to keep ourselves and our digital lives secure. In this article, we’ll explore why NCSAM matters to…