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.
Published on May 3, 2024
As part of our ongoing security awareness program, we would like to share some important information about the safety of […]
Read The Importance of Network Security: Keeping Our Devices Safe with MOD1Published on April 26, 2024
In an age where technology is evolving at breakneck speeds, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) have become integral […]
Read AI & Machine Learning Risks in CybersecurityPublished on April 22, 2024
In our interconnected digital world, security is paramount. In keeping with our goal to provide the most secure environment possible we want […]
Read Why Avoid Shared Accounts?Published on April 5, 2024
As part of our university’s commitment to fostering a safe and secure learning environment, we want to emphasize the importance […]
Read Incident Reporting and ResponsePublished on March 22, 2024
In the ever-evolving landscape of cybersecurity, staying informed about emerging threats is crucial. One such threat that deserves your attention […]
Read Understanding Zero-Day VulnerabilitiesPublished on March 15, 2024
Data loss prevention is all about protecting sensitive information from loss, corruption, misuse, or unauthorized access. Imagine it as a digital […]
Read Understanding Data Loss Prevention (DLP)Published on March 1, 2024
In today’s interconnected world, we rely on countless online services, from banking, email, social media, to shopping. Each of these […]
Read The Importance of Password Managers: Safeguarding Your Digital LifePublished on February 19, 2024
As we navigate the ever-evolving landscape of cybersecurity, it’s crucial for each member of our university to play an active […]
Read The Importance of Installing Approved SoftwarePublished on February 12, 2024
As a user of our computer systems, you might have come across the term Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) in your workplace. But […]
Read Understanding Acceptable Use Policies (AUPs)Published on January 22, 2024
In the digital age, universities heavily rely on various software for administrative tasks, research, teaching, and learning. This reliance also […]
Read The Importance of Using Approved Anti-Malware Software on University MachinesPublished on December 13, 2023
Cybersecurity and the Internet of Things (IoT) The Internet of Things (IoT) is a term used to describe the network […]
Read Cybersecurity and the Internet of ThingsPublished on October 20, 2023
In the ever-evolving landscape of cybersecurity threats, one emerging tactic is the use of QR codes in phishing emails. This […]
Read Safeguarding Against QR Code FishingPublished on October 13, 2023
Safeguarding your online accounts and sensitive information is more critical than ever. One powerful tool in your security arsenal is […]
Read Protecting Your Digital World: Defeating MFA FatiguePublished on August 28, 2023
Each week, we have a section in OIT Weekly about information security. We give tips and tricks to help you […]
Read The Importance of Information SecurityPublished on August 21, 2023
We want to raise awareness about the potential dangers associated with social media usage. Cybercriminals often exploit personal information shared […]
Read Avoid Social Media MistakesPublished on August 7, 2023
The Barbie movie grossed over $350 million at the box office this past weekend. With so many people invested in seeing this summer blockbuster, theaters […]
Read Cybercriminals and BarbiePublished on July 24, 2023
Recently, cybercriminals have taken advantage of Soda PDF, a PDF viewing service. Using Soda PDF, cybercriminals are sending malicious PDF files […]
Read Call 800-CybercriminalPublished on June 19, 2023
ChatGPT, like anything else powered by artificial intelligence, comes with risks that need to be considered. A couple of key […]
Read ChatGPTPublished on March 27, 2023
Ring is a popular brand of security cameras designed for home safety. Unfortunately, Ring customers were the latest victims of […]
Read Cybercriminal at Your Door!Published on January 16, 2023
You may be wondering what homoglyphs and Unicodes are. Homoglyphs are letters or characters that look similar. For example, the […]
Read Homoglyphs and Unicodes (No, not Unicorns)Published on January 9, 2023
For years, cybercriminals have used social media to post fake sales listings for popular items such as furniture or electronics. […]
Read If It Sounds Too Good to Be True…Published on November 29, 2022
Cryptocurrency exchange platforms allow you to buy and sell cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin. When you buy cryptocurrency, it’s stored in […]
Read CryptocurrencyPublished on November 21, 2022
Yes. I know that you just took your compliance training as it’s due to be completed before the end of […]
Read Exam time!Published on October 19, 2022
Did you know that the average person uses the same three to seven passwords to log in to over 170 […]
Read Passwords, Passwords Everywhere!Published on October 9, 2022
All over the United States, people are observing “Cybersecurity Awareness Month” in October. That’s great! There is a WHOLE month […]
Read Cybersecurity Awareness Month 2022Published on October 3, 2022
The vast majority of cyberattacks, 98%, start with phishing attacks that contain NO zero-days and NO malware. They simply trick […]
Read It’s the Simple ThingsPublished on September 12, 2022
Here are a few facts that illustrate the dramatic increase in cybercrime; 2,244 cyberattacks happen daily, according to the University […]
Read Don’t Become a victim!Published on September 7, 2022
Cybercriminals are very effective at getting what they want. They have learned that the easiest way around the university’s defenses […]
Read No! Really! You are a target!Published on August 24, 2022
As the school year gets underway, it is important to be vigilant when checking your email. There are a couple […]
Read Security TermsPublished on August 9, 2022
Over the summer, several students have fallen victim to phishing scams. Collectively, they have lost thousands of dollars from some […]
Read You are the TARGET! (No…really…you ARE!)Published on August 1, 2022
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 […]
Read Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) Prompt BombingPublished on July 26, 2022
Information security is about addressing and reducing IT RISK. It’s easy to overlook risk as a topic when all you […]
Read RISK – Why We Emphasize Information SecurityPublished on July 18, 2022
OIT receives many questions about cyber security, especially about what users can do to protect themselves. That is why we […]
Read Cyber Security 101 — Insider ThreatsPublished on July 18, 2022
Most people would never consider walking into a crowded room and loudly broadcasting to total strangers all the details of […]
Read Considering Social Media PrivacyPublished on June 27, 2022
One definition of context is the circumstances that form the setting for an event, statement, or idea and in terms […]
Read Context is Everything!Published on March 29, 2022
Passwords, two-factor, encryption, firewalls, phishing campaigns, and awareness training? How do these efforts “make us more secure?” Some may even […]
Read Cybersecurity…why?Published on March 7, 2022
With recent events in the news, we know you have questions and concerns. One of those may be about cybersecurity. Am […]
Read Events in Eastern EuropePublished on February 28, 2022
OIT receives a lot of questions about cyber security, especially about what users can do to protect themselves. That is […]
Read Cyber Security 101 – Insider ThreatPublished on February 13, 2022
The term “cybercrime” usually refers to any criminal offense committed against or with the use of a computer or computer […]
Read Don’t Be a Victim of Cyber Crime!Published on January 4, 2022
One of the biggest risks that we face is the loss of our data. Whether it is cyber-breach, a stolen […]
Read There’s no security without “U”
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.
Published on April 5, 2024
As part of our ongoing commitment to cybersecurity, we want to share insights from recent security incidents affecting universities. The […]
Read Strengthening Security: Lessons from Recent University BreachesPublished on February 2, 2024
This week, we are writing to remind you of an ongoing issue that has been affecting some of our university […]
Read Important Reminder: Beware of SMS ScamsPublished on January 12, 2024
Our smartphones have become a treasure trove of personal and professional data in the digital age. As members of a […]
Read Protecting and Securing Your Personal and University Data on Your PhonePublished on January 5, 2024
What are tech support scams? Tech support scams are a type of cybercrime that aims to trick users into believing […]
Read Tech Support ScamsPublished on November 17, 2023
In a world where information is as valuable as currency, scammers have found fertile ground. With our reliance on technology, […]
Read A Guide to Recognizing and Avoiding ScammersPublished on November 3, 2023
In our ongoing commitment to keeping our environment safe and secure, we bring to your attention a notable cybersecurity concern. […]
Read Protecting Against Malware Concealed in PNG ImagesPublished on October 27, 2023
We’ve all seen them — those pesky pop-up windows that appear when we visit a website, urging us to update […]
Read Beware of Fake Update Pop-Ups: A Guide to Secure Your Online ExperiencePublished on October 20, 2023
In the ever-evolving landscape of cybersecurity threats, one emerging tactic is the use of QR codes in phishing emails. This […]
Read Safeguarding Against QR Code FishingPublished on September 25, 2023
In the ever-evolving landscape of cybersecurity threats, one emerging tactic is the use of QR codes in phishing emails. This […]
Read Safeguarding Against QR Code FishingPublished on August 14, 2023
Cybercriminals know the best strategies for gaining access to the university’s sensitive data – Social Engineering. They simply manipulate your trust […]
Read Phishing and Phishing and PhishingPublished on July 31, 2023
Recently, .zip top-level domains have become available for public purchase. A top-level domain is the final section of a domain […]
Read .zip DomainsPublished on July 17, 2023
Recently, researchers have discovered another technique cybercriminals use to steal your information. In this technique, cybercriminals use obfuscated links to show IP addresses like XXX.XXX.XXX.XXX, […]
Read Obscured, Obfuscated LinksPublished on July 10, 2023
Cybercriminals use images in phishing emails to impersonate real organizations. By using images like official logos (i.e., UT, UPS, FedEx, […]
Read Phishing with ImagesPublished on June 26, 2023
Now more than ever, cybercriminals are using a tactic known as pretexting to catch you off guard. Pretexting is when […]
Read PretextingPublished on June 12, 2023
Malware researchers recently discovered a trojan app on the Google Play Store. Trojans are malicious applications or software that appear […]
Read Permission to HackPublished on June 5, 2023
Recently, cybercriminals have taken advantage of the popular (and international) online payment platform, PayPal. Cybercriminals are spoofing PayPal to try […]
Read PayPal Payment PloyPublished on May 22, 2023
A smishing attack(a phishing attack through SMS, or “text” messaging) was recently used by a ring of cybercriminals to steal […]
Read Smishing for Bank InformationPublished on May 15, 2023
FedNow is a new instant payment service created by the Federal Reserve. This service allows banks from all over the […]
Read Watch Out! FedNow ScamsPublished on May 8, 2023
Ransomware is malicious software, also known as malware, designed to encrypt files on a computer, making them unreadable. The creators […]
Read Ransomware?Published on May 1, 2023
Linktree is a landing page service where businesses and individuals can list multiple links from a single page. This service […]
Read Linktree ScamPublished on April 24, 2023
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…
Read AI PhishbaitPublished on April 10, 2023
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…
Read Watch Out for High Profile ScamsPublished on March 20, 2023
"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…
Read Keep IT Private and SeparatePublished on February 23, 2023
A single sign-on (SSO) service allows you to log in to multiple accounts using one login credential, such as your […]
Read There was PHISHING. Then, there was SMISHING!Published on February 20, 2023
Last week, two earthquakes occurred in Turkey and Syria. Unfortunately, cybercriminals often use crises to get your attention and manipulate […]
Read Beware of Scams Related to Recent Earthquakes!Published on February 6, 2023
The latest social media scam is yet another phishing scheme designed to scare Facebook users into sharing their login credentials. […]
Read You broke Facebook??Published on December 19, 2022
The social media app TikTok is famous for its creative audio and visual filters. TikTok adds and removes filters frequently, […]
Read TikTok Filter ScamsPublished on December 5, 2022
The university and its departments often use email to send important information to faculty, staff, and students. If someone sends […]
Read Clone Phishing ScamsPublished on November 2, 2022
What is “Malvertising”? Malvertising is the use of online advertising to spread malware. Malvertising involves injecting malicious or malware-laden advertisements […]
Read MalvertisingPublished on September 27, 2022
Last week, news stories announced that Queen Elizabeth II, known for having the longest reign of any British monarch, passed […]
Read News Related ScamsPublished on September 26, 2022
Zelle is a popular mobile payment application that allows users to send payments to one another. Like most financial institutions, […]
Read Zelle Fraud AlertPublished on September 1, 2022
In a world of constant communication, cybercriminals can use various devices to reach your personal information. Email and computer users […]
Read What is Vishing (Phone Phishing)?Published on May 31, 2022
Email or phone call scams are not new; cybercriminals have been attempting to fool people for years. Older scams like […]
Read How Do Cybercriminals Make an Email Sound so Authentic?Published on April 12, 2022
Social engineering is the art of manipulating people, so they give up confidential information or take an action that could […]
Read What IS Social Engineering?Published on February 23, 2022
Cybercriminals know the best strategies for gaining access to the University’s sensitive data. In most cases, it doesn’t involve them rappelling from […]
Read Refuse the Bait!!
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.
Published on March 22, 2024
In the ever-evolving landscape of cybersecurity, staying informed about emerging threats is crucial. One such threat that deserves your attention […]
Read Understanding Zero-Day VulnerabilitiesPublished on March 15, 2024
Data loss prevention is all about protecting sensitive information from loss, corruption, misuse, or unauthorized access. Imagine it as a digital […]
Read Understanding Data Loss Prevention (DLP)Published on February 26, 2024
Multifactor Authentication (MFA) has become a crucial defense against cyber threats. By requiring users to provide multiple forms of identification, […]
Read MFA Fatigue: A Silent Threat to Your SecurityPublished on February 12, 2024
As a user of our computer systems, you might have come across the term Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) in your workplace. But […]
Read Understanding Acceptable Use Policies (AUPs)Published on January 26, 2024
Browser extensions are a great way to enhance your browsing experience but can pose a significant security risk. Cybercriminals frequently […]
Read Enhancing Cybersecurity: A Guide to Browser ExtensionsPublished on December 13, 2023
Cybersecurity and the Internet of Things (IoT) The Internet of Things (IoT) is a term used to describe the network […]
Read Cybersecurity and the Internet of ThingsPublished on December 1, 2023
In today’s digital age, understanding cybersecurity is not just for IT professionals but for everyone who uses the internet. Here […]
Read Understanding Cybersecurity: A Glossary for EveryonePublished on November 17, 2023
In a world where information is as valuable as currency, scammers have found fertile ground. With our reliance on technology, […]
Read A Guide to Recognizing and Avoiding ScammersPublished on November 13, 2023
The holiday season is a time of joy and celebration, but it’s also a time when cybercriminals are on the […]
Read Holiday Cybersecurity Tips for Higher Education UsersPublished on October 27, 2023
The modern workplace is more collaborative than ever, and digital file sharing has become an integral part of it. Microsoft […]
Read A Guide to Secure File Sharing in Microsoft 365Published on October 13, 2023
Safeguarding your online accounts and sensitive information is more critical than ever. One powerful tool in your security arsenal is […]
Read Protecting Your Digital World: Defeating MFA FatiguePublished on October 6, 2023
What Students, Faculty, and Staff Need to Know October is a special month for online safety, especially for those of […]
Read A Cyber Security Guide for Higher EdPublished on September 25, 2023
In the ever-evolving landscape of cybersecurity threats, one emerging tactic is the use of QR codes in phishing emails. This […]
Read Safeguarding Against QR Code FishingPublished on September 20, 2023
In today’s digital age, cloud computing has become an integral part of how we store, access, and share data. Whether […]
Read Safeguarding Your Data in the Cloud: A Guide to Cloud SecurityPublished on September 18, 2023
In today’s interconnected world, social media has become integral to our daily lives. It’s a great way to stay in […]
Read Safeguarding Your Online Presence: A Guide to Secure Social Media UsePublished on September 11, 2023
Remote work in higher education is now the norm. To keep your online work safe using university-provided tools like OneDrive […]
Read Safeguarding Your Remote WorkPublished on April 3, 2023
An early nineteenth-century Prussian General stated, “No plan survives contact with the enemy.” President Eisenhower said, “…plans are useless, but planning is indispensable.” […]
Read Compromised Workstations & LaptopsPublished on March 6, 2023
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…
Read IT or Cybercriminal?Published on February 14, 2023
Do you know a cybercriminal’s favorite time of the year? It’s Tax season! Taxes are a sensitive topic that can easily catch […]
Read Tax Time!Published on January 31, 2023
What is Phishing? Phishing is essentially someone trying to get you to do something through email, usually volunteer personal information […]
Read Spotting and Avoiding Phishing AttacksPublished on November 14, 2022
Our students need to be made aware of this scam, whether it’s through faculty or student services offered through our […]
Read Student Loan Relief ProgramsPublished on November 7, 2022
This week, we call your attention to the importance of the Acceptable Use of Information Technology Resources Policy (“AUP”), IT0110. […]
Read Information Technology ResourcesPublished on October 25, 2022
This October’s Cybersecurity Awareness Month theme is “See Yourself in Cyber.” It highlights how individuals, from everyday technology users to […]
Read 4 Easy Steps to Stay Secure OnlinePublished on May 23, 2022
Is your workstation or laptop running slow? Does it take forever for an application to start? Do you return to your desk following […]
Read Security Topic of the WeekPublished on April 26, 2022
As technology gains a more important role in our lives, it also grows in complexity. Given how quickly technology changes, […]
Read Steps for Staying Secure in These Scary TimesPublished on February 7, 2022
Determining whether or not your computer or mobile device has been hacked can be difficult. Nonetheless, there are a few […]
Read I’ve been hacked!Published on January 24, 2022
Have you seen email or text messages that offer you lots of money for little to no work on your […]
Read Ways to Spot a ScamPublished on January 18, 2022
Its tax season, and soon, the W-2’s and associated forms will start circulating, which means we must be aware of tax […]
Read It’s Tax season – Don’t be a victim!
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.
Published on March 28, 2024
Many of us use virtual machines (VMs) on our computers these days for various reasons – to run an older […]
Read Protecting Your Virtual MachinesPublished on March 15, 2024
Data loss prevention is all about protecting sensitive information from loss, corruption, misuse, or unauthorized access. Imagine it as a digital […]
Read Understanding Data Loss Prevention (DLP)Published on February 19, 2024
As we navigate the ever-evolving landscape of cybersecurity, it’s crucial for each member of our university to play an active […]
Read The Importance of Installing Approved SoftwarePublished on February 12, 2024
As a user of our computer systems, you might have come across the term Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) in your workplace. But […]
Read Understanding Acceptable Use Policies (AUPs)Published on January 26, 2024
Browser extensions are a great way to enhance your browsing experience but can pose a significant security risk. Cybercriminals frequently […]
Read Enhancing Cybersecurity: A Guide to Browser ExtensionsPublished on December 13, 2023
Cybersecurity and the Internet of Things (IoT) The Internet of Things (IoT) is a term used to describe the network […]
Read Cybersecurity and the Internet of ThingsPublished on December 1, 2023
In today’s digital age, understanding cybersecurity is not just for IT professionals but for everyone who uses the internet. Here […]
Read Understanding Cybersecurity: A Glossary for EveryonePublished on November 3, 2023
In our ongoing commitment to keeping our environment safe and secure, we bring to your attention a notable cybersecurity concern. […]
Read Protecting Against Malware Concealed in PNG ImagesPublished on October 27, 2023
The modern workplace is more collaborative than ever, and digital file sharing has become an integral part of it. Microsoft […]
Read A Guide to Secure File Sharing in Microsoft 365Published on October 20, 2023
In the ever-evolving landscape of cybersecurity threats, one emerging tactic is the use of QR codes in phishing emails. This […]
Read Safeguarding Against QR Code FishingPublished on September 20, 2023
In today’s digital age, cloud computing has become an integral part of how we store, access, and share data. Whether […]
Read Safeguarding Your Data in the Cloud: A Guide to Cloud SecurityPublished on August 28, 2023
Each week, we have a section in OIT Weekly about information security. We give tips and tricks to help you […]
Read The Importance of Information SecurityPublished on June 20, 2022
With the increased use of cloud storage (Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive, Dropbox, Evernote, etc.), individuals should take extra precautions to […]
Read Are My Documents Secure in the Cloud?Published on June 13, 2022
One of the responsibilities of every user of UT’s IT resources is to continuously monitor their UT Owned workstations, laptops, and servers. What […]
Read Look, No Hands—Let OIT Continuously Monitor Your SystemsPublished on June 6, 2022
Information security conversations often include words like “IT security plans,” “systems,” and “program plans.” What do these terms mean in […]
Read Plans and Programs and Controls, Oh My!Published on May 17, 2022
Vault (UT Secure Courier) is a secure file transfer application that allows users to easily share large files, including executables, […]
Read Secure File TransferPublished on May 3, 2022
We regularly receive questions about sharing or storing sensitive information. While we have several recommendations, first, let’s talk about why […]
Read File Sharing Options for Sensitive InformationPublished on April 19, 2022
Information Security type individuals, as well as auditors, frequently talk about “Incident Response.” The term gets mentioned so much that […]
Read Incident what?Published on April 4, 2022
Is your workstation or laptop running “slow”? Does it take FOREVER for an application to start? Do you come in […]
Read Compromised Workstations/LaptopsPublished on March 15, 2022
One of the biggest risks that we face is the loss of our data. Whether it is cyber-breach, a stolen mobile device, […]
Read Data Loss Prevention (DLP)
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