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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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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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Important Reminder: Beware of SMS Scams
This week, we are writing to remind you of an ongoing issue that has been affecting some of our university community members. There have been reports of students receiving SMS messages from individuals pretending to be professors at our university. These messages typically offer paid positions and request personal information such as resumes, age, and…
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The Importance of Using Approved Anti-Malware Software on University Machines
In the digital age, universities heavily rely on various software for administrative tasks, research, teaching, and learning. This reliance also opens potential vulnerabilities that could be exploited by malicious entities. Therefore, it is crucial to use only approved anti-malware software. The Risks of Unapproved Anti-Malware Software Unapproved anti-malware software can pose several risks: The Benefits…
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Protecting and Securing Your Personal and University Data on Your Phone
Our smartphones have become a treasure trove of personal and professional data in the digital age. As members of a university community, we often access sensitive information through our personal devices. This action makes it crucial to understand how to protect and secure our data. Why is Mobile Security Important? Our phones are not just communication…
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IT Security: A Recent Real-World Attack
In the ever-evolving landscape of IT security, it’s crucial to stay informed about recent attacks to understand the threats we face. Today, we’ll discuss a significant cybersecurity incident that occurred in November 2023. The Boeing Data Breach On November 2, 2023, aircraft manufacturer Boeing reported a “cyber incident” that impacted several elements of its business.…
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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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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Managing Permissions on Mobile Phones
Application permissions are settings that control what an app can access and do on your device. Here are some common types of permissions: These permissions can be needed for the application to function, but sometimes, the application takes more permissions than necessary. In the cybersecurity world, we would call that a violation of “Least Privilege” or…
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Tips for Securing Linux
The third most popular operating system, Linux, is mostly unknown to the average person. However, Linux has been gaining popularity with the more technically inclined users, with several desktop distributions, including Ubuntu, Linux Mint, Raspberry Pi OS, and Zorin OS. While Linux for desktop doesn’t have the sheer number of reported security issues like 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”…