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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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Security Terms
As the school year gets underway, it is important to be vigilant when checking your email. There are a couple of techniques that scammers are using to steal your information. SPOOFING is the modification of an email so that the message appears to have originated from someone or somewhere other than the actual source. Spoofing is…
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You are the TARGET! (No…really…you ARE!)
Over the summer, several students have fallen victim to phishing scams. Collectively, they have lost thousands of dollars from some very sophisticated scams. You must remain vigilant when reading your email because the scammers have begun posing as UT faculty to get your information, bank account number, and electronic gift cards. This is REAL money!…
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RISK – Why We Emphasize Information 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. These are all forms of technology used to reduce the IT risk of disclosing information (i.e., university data, personal data) to unauthorized persons. If…
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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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…
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Tech Support Scams
What are tech support scams? Tech support scams are a type of cybercrime that aims to trick users into believing that their computer has a serious problem, such as a virus. The scammers then offer to resolve the issue for a fee, which often involves installing malware on the user’s device or directing them to…
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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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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Digital Privacy—What is a Data Broker?
In today’s digital age, personal information has become a valuable commodity. Data brokers have emerged as key players in this data-driven economy. Data brokers operate behind the scenes, gathering vast amounts of personal information from various sources. They compile detailed profiles on individuals and sell this data to businesses, marketers, and even government agencies. Understanding…
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Getting Into the Mindset of a Hacker
Have you ever wondered how a hacker looks at systems and finds unexpected ways around controls meant to keep them out? Is this a special mindset or a thought process that is learned? The mindset of a hacker can vary widely, but generally, it involves a few key traits and perspectives: While the term “hacker”…