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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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Ransomware?
Ransomware is malicious software, also known as malware, designed to encrypt files on a computer, making them unreadable. The creators (the bad guys) then demand a ransom in exchange for a “key” to unlock the files on the computer. Ransomware incidents can severely impact personal and university processes, leaving the victims without the data on…
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Linktree Scam
Linktree is a landing page service where businesses and individuals can list multiple links from a single page. This service is often used on social media to share and access various webpages easily. However, cybercriminals can also use Linktree to host malicious links to try to steal your personal information. In a recent scam, the…
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AI Phishbait
intelligence (AI) has become increasingly popular in the past year. Many people have started using AI chatbots like ChatGPT or Google Bard. Unfortunately, cybercriminals are taking advantage of AI’s popularity to steal your information. In a recent scam, cybercriminals created fake Facebook ads for free downloads of AI products. If you click one of these…
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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…
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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Tax Time!
Do you know a cybercriminal’s favorite time of the year? It’s Tax season! Taxes are a sensitive topic that can easily catch your attention and manipulate your emotions. Cybercriminals exploit this time of year by including mentions of taxes in phishing attacks and disinformation campaigns. Tax season is also a vulnerable time for your sensitive information. Tax…
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Student Loan Relief Programs
Our students need to be made aware of this scam, whether it’s through faculty or student services offered through our departments. The U.S. Government recently announced its plan to give citizens up to $20,000 of student loan relief. This plan requires that citizens apply to determine if they qualify for the loan. Cybercriminals are taking…
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4 Easy Steps to Stay Secure Online
This October’s Cybersecurity Awareness Month theme is “See Yourself in Cyber.” It highlights how individuals, from everyday technology users to cybersecurity professionals, are the first line of defense to thwarting cybercrime. The steps to improving your online cybersecurity are no secret, and you’ve heard them many times. It never gets old, sharing these reminders: 1. Watch…
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”…