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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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Cybersecurity…why?
Passwords, two-factor, encryption, firewalls, phishing campaigns, and awareness training? How do these efforts “make us more secure?” Some may even ask, “Why bother? Won’t the hackers just get the information anyway?” Or even, “Do we REALLY need this level of information security?” Pick one: If you picked “4,” you may quit reading this. If you…
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Events in Eastern Europe
With recent events in the news, we know you have questions and concerns. One of those may be about cybersecurity. Am I or is our company more likely to come under attack? Am I at greater risk? We don’t have all the answers, nor do we know what will happen next. But we know from a cybersecurity…
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Cyber Security 101 – Insider Threat
OIT receives a lot of questions about cyber security, especially about what users can do to protect themselves. That is why we have an active security awareness program; we want to help users become secure and make the most of technology. Good Cybersecurity practices are actually not that hard; you only have to know and…
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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Stay Safe Online When Using AI
Continuing with National Cyber Security Awareness Month, a frankly unavoidable tool is AI. AI is becoming more integrated with computing systems and applications. Some of them are relatively recently released to the public while others have been around for a while. If you have a Windows 11 computer, you can probably see Copilot in the lower…
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Reporting Cybercrime
We all know that we should report any cyber incidents to the OIT HelpDesk and eventually OIT Security. This is the most important thing you can do following a cyber incident with university devices and data. What if, however, it’s your data and your devices? Thankfully it is National Cyber Security Awareness Month and the…
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Tips for Securing Windows
Many people use Microsoft Windows as their primary operating system for work, school, personal computing, and even gaming. The most recent Windows Operating System is Windows 11, but there are still many people on Windows 10. Fortunately making your operating system more secure is very similar in both versions. Tips to help secure your Windows…
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”…