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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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What is a Purple Teamer?
A purple teamer is a cybersecurity professional who works to bridge the gap between red teams (offensive security) and blue teams (defensive security). Their role involves fostering collaboration and ensuring that both teams’ efforts align to enhance an organization’s security posture. Here are some key aspects of what a purple teamer does: By combining the…
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What is a Red Teamer?
A red teamer is a cybersecurity professional who simulates real-world attacks on an organization’s systems, networks, and applications to identify vulnerabilities and weaknesses. The primary goal of a red teamer is to think and act like a malicious hacker to test and improve an organization’s security posture. Key Aspects of What a Red Teamer Does …
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Why Reporting Phishing Emails Benefits UT
Reporting phishing emails seems like a small thing, but it can have a large impact on security and UT. Reporting phishing emails is crucial for UT to maintain a strong security posture. In our most recent phishing test, about thirty-five percent of the people in the test simply deleted the email. Around thirteen percent forwarded…
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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When Bad News Travels, Attackers Are Listening
Malicious actors monitor news outlets and social media for signs of confirmed or suspected security events that they can exploit to their advantage. A campus outage that generates public discussion is, to them, an opportunity with a shelf life. The psychology is simple: during a disruption, people expect to hear from IT, so a call…
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ClickFix: Don’t Be Tricked by a Fake “Fix”
Cybercriminals are using a tactic called ClickFix to trick people into compromising their own devices. These scams use fake error messages, security warnings, or fake CAPTCHA verification prompts that tell users to take steps to “fix” a problem. One common trick is instructing users to press Windows + R to open the Run box, then press Ctrl + V to paste…
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Triggers Hackers Use to Trick You: Urgency, Authority, and Curiosity
Hackers don’t rely on technology alone—they rely on human psychology. Most attacks rely on three simple triggers to get people to act quickly without thinking. The first trigger is a sense of urgency, with messages like “act now or lose access” or “your account will be locked,” creating pressure that pushes users to respond immediately…
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Understanding QR Code Phishing
In the dynamic world of cybersecurity, threat actors continue to innovate using methods like QR code phishing. This technique, which seemed emergent just a few years ago, has now become more refined and widespread. QR code phishing, also known as “Quishing,” remains a threat as these codes are now ubiquitously used for convenience in many…
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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Cyber Security Tips for Traveling
Traveling can be an exciting adventure, but it also comes with its own set of cybersecurity risks. Whether you’re on a business trip or summer vacation, it’s essential to protect your digital life from potential threats. Here are some practical tips to help you stay secure while traveling. Traveling doesn’t have to compromise your cybersecurity…
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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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The Importance of Password Rotation
Password rotation is the periodic changing or resetting of passwords. The goal is to limit a password’s lifespan to reduce the risk of unauthorized access. By doing so, we condense the window of time during which a stolen password remains valid. Why password rotation matters: How Often Should You Rotate Passwords? The frequency of password…
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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Incident what?
Information Security type individuals, as well as auditors, frequently talk about “Incident Response.” The term gets mentioned so much that it may be assumed that everyone knows what the term means. Incident response is an organized approach to addressing and managing the aftermath of a security breach or cyberattack. The goal of an Incident Response…
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Compromised Workstations/Laptops
Is your workstation or laptop running “slow”? Does it take FOREVER for an application to start? Do you come in after being away from your desk to often find that your computer has restarted, displaying some sort of cryptic message about a problem? Your machine may be compromised or infected. Security incidents come in all…
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Data Loss Prevention (DLP)
One of the biggest risks that we face is the loss of our data. Whether it is cyber-breach, a stolen mobile device, or a stack of spreadsheets accidentally thrown away in an unsecured receptacle, the result is the same: our information falls into the hands of folks who are not authorized to view it. We can mitigate or…