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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Think Before You Share: What the Claude Search Exposure Teaches Us About AI Privacy
Recent reporting found that some Claude chats and Artifacts shared by public links appeared in Google search results. Reported examples included internal documents, health-related information, contact details, and API keys. This does not appear to mean that all private Claude chats were exposed, but it is an important reminder that a shared AI link may be far more…
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Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) Prompt Bombing
Two-factor authentication (also known as, “Multi-factor Authentication (MFA)”) provides an extra layer of security for your accounts, but it’s important to think before you click. Cybercriminals can use an attack method called 2FA prompt bombing to bypass 2FA protections and overwhelm you with prompts via the Push feature of Duo. For example, cybercriminals may try to log…
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When ‘Too Good to Be True’ Comes from Someone You Know
For years, cybercriminals have used social media to post fake sales listings for popular items such as furniture or electronics. As these scams have gained in popularity, most of us have learned to use caution when buying items online from strangers. Now, cybercriminals are impersonating people you trust to lure you into their fake listing…

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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Privacy Concerns with Onboard AI: Apple Intelligence
There has been a deluge of advertising for the Apple iPhone 16 and Apple Intelligence from cell phone carriers and providers. Some advertisers even say that they will give the new devices away for free with their new contract for a service and push Apple Intelligence. Is this truly a good deal? Privacy and Security…
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Understanding the National Public Data Breach: What It Means for You and How to Protect Yourself
What Happened? Recently, National Public Data (NPD), a company that compiles public information for background checks, experienced a significant data breach. This breach exposed the personal information of nearly three billion (yes, that’s with a “b”) individuals. The compromised data includes names, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, and Social Security numbers. Why Is This Important?…
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Understanding the Latest Cyber Threats
As our digital landscape evolves, so do the tactics of cyber adversaries. It is crucial to stay informed on the latest threat intelligence to protect our personal and professional information. In this week’s security roundup, we discuss recent trends that affect users at all levels. The Rise of Ransomware 2.0 Ransomware attacks continue to plague…
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Navigating the CrowdStrike Incident: What You Need to Know
Recently, there was a hiccup in the digital security world. CrowdStrike, the company that keeps virtual doors locked at many organizations around the world, had a bug in one of their updates. Their security tools went on vacation, and chaos followed. But wait, there’s more! Opportunistic cybercriminals exploited the situation by disseminating deceptive emails, masquerading…

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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I’ve been hacked!
Determining whether or not your computer or mobile device has been hacked can be difficult. Nonetheless, there are a few common issues that will indicate your computer has been hacked. If your browser’s homepage has unexpectedly changed or is taking you to websites you have never visited, this could be an indication. Also, if your…
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Phishing Ourselves
In September of 2021, the UTK Administration asked that OIT develop and carry out a phishing campaign. The phishing will continue until the clicks improve, and they ARE improving! A couple of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the phishing campaign: OIT conducted a baseline phishing exercise in September 2021 used to compare all following campaigns.…

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