Article Archive #2
Service navigation

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.
-
What is a Blue Teamer?
What is a Blue Teamer? A blue teamer is a cybersecurity professional focused on defending an organization’s systems, networks, and applications from potential threats. Their main goal is to protect the organization’s assets by ensuring robust security measures are in place. Key measures implemented by a blue teamer: By focusing on these security measures, blue…
-
Be Careful in the DeepSeek
DeepSeek AI is a Chinese artificial intelligence company that has recently gained significant attention. Founded in July 2023 by Liang Wenfeng, DeepSeek is backed by High-Flyer Capital Management, a Chinese hedge fund that uses AI for trading decisions. The company focuses on developing open-source large language models (LLMs) and has quickly risen to prominence with…
-
What is Open-Source Intelligence?
Open-source intelligence (OSINT) involves gathering information from publicly available sources. There is information available on businesses, organizations, people, and website domains. Here are some techniques that can be used: OSINT techniques can help you gather a wide range of information from publicly available sources. Always remember to use this information ethically and respect privacy laws.…

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.
-
Watch Out for High Profile Scams
The US-based Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) recently shut down due to failure to meet its financial obligations. This collapse has caused public panic, and unfortunately, like all major news events, cybercriminals take advantage of high-profile news stories to catch your attention and manipulate your emotions. Cybercriminals will use every tool in their arsenal to prey on…
-
Keep IT Private and Separate
“YOU” exist in digital form all over the Internet. It is thus important to ensure that the “digital YOU” matches what you intend to share. It is also critical to guard your privacy — not only to avoid embarrassment but also to protect your identity and finances! The following are specific steps you can take…
-
IT or Cybercriminal?
Coinbase, a cryptocurrency platform, is the latest victim of a social engineering attack. Social engineering occurs when cybercriminals manipulate you to try to steal your sensitive information. In this Coinbase attack, a cybercriminal sent smishing (SMS phishing) messages to their employees containing a link directing them to log in to their company accounts. Shortly after…
-
There was PHISHING. Then, there was SMISHING!
A single sign-on (SSO) service allows you to log in to multiple accounts using one login credential, such as your NETID and the Central Authentication Service (CAS). Unfortunately, you aren’t the only one who benefits from this service. Cybercriminals are taking advantage of SSO services in a recent smishing (SMS phishing) scam. A SMISHING scam…

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.
-
Cybersecurity and the Internet of Things
Cybersecurity and the Internet of Things (IoT) The Internet of Things (IoT) is a term used to describe the network of physical devices, vehicles, home appliances, and other items that are embedded with sensors, software, and network connectivity. These devices can communicate with each other and with other systems over the internet, creating a vast…
-
Holiday Cybersecurity Tips for Higher Education Users
The holiday season is a time of joy and celebration, but it’s also a time when cybercriminals are on the prowl, looking for opportunities to exploit security vulnerabilities. It is important to be aware of potential cybersecurity threats and take steps to protect your personal and University-related information. In this article, we’ll discuss essential cybersecurity…
-
Safeguarding Against QR Code Fishing
In the ever-evolving landscape of cybersecurity threats, one emerging tactic is the use of QR codes in phishing emails. This deceptive technique poses a significant risk to both end users and IT professionals. UNDERSTANDING QR CODE FISHING: QR code phishing involves embedding malicious URLs or content within a seemingly innocuous QR code. These codes can…

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.
-
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…
-
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…
-
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”…

Explore
Write
Chat
Call