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 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…
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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…
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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.
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News Related Scams
Last week, news stories announced that Queen Elizabeth II, known for having the longest reign of any British monarch, passed away at 96. When an influential figure such as the queen passes away, people worldwide will be interested in reading more about their life and death. Cybercriminals take advantage of high-profile news stories to catch…
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Zelle Fraud Alert
Zelle is a popular mobile payment application that allows users to send payments to one another. Like most financial institutions, Zelle alerts users of possible fraud to stop suspicious account activity from happening. However, not all fraud alerts are legitimate, and cybercriminals can impersonate Zelle and send fake fraud alerts to scam you. In a…
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How Do Cybercriminals Make an Email Sound so Authentic?
Email or phone call scams are not new; cybercriminals have been attempting to fool people for years. Older scams like “You Won the Lottery” or the infamous “Nigerian Prince” are created as generic messages sent out to millions of people. The non-specific nature of these messages makes them easier to spot. More recently, personalized scams…
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Security Topic of the Week
Is your workstation or laptop running slow? Does it take forever for an application to start? Do you return to your desk following short breaks and often find that your computer has restarted and is displaying some sort of cryptic message about a problem? These are all signs that your machine may be compromised or infected. Security incidents…

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”…

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