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Information Security

Importance of Security


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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.

  • Cryptocurrency

    Cryptocurrency exchange platforms allow you to buy and sell cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin. When you buy cryptocurrency, it’s stored in a digital wallet. Most cryptocurrency exchanges require that you use an additional authentication method to access your wallet. Cybercriminals use social engineering to bypass this added level of authentication to steal your currency. In a…

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  • Exam time!

    Yes. I know that you just took your compliance training as it’s due to be completed before the end of the year, but since the exam period is on us, I thought it would be good to do some “off-the-record” testing… Which of the following is a myth? Did you find the myth? This was…

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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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  • Cybersecurity Awareness Month 2022

    All over the United States, people are observing “Cybersecurity Awareness Month” in October. That’s great! There is a WHOLE month devoted to cybersecurity! If only we could make it a National Holiday, a day where hackers take the day off, and everyone is given the day to change ALL their passwords. We can call it…

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  • It’s the Simple Things

    The vast majority of cyberattacks, 98%, start with phishing attacks that contain NO zero-days and NO malware. They simply trick us into clicking on a link or opening an attachment, thereby turning over our passwords to the bad guys. Zero-days are bugs in software that the software company does not know exist. That’s why they’re…

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  • Don’t Become a victim!

    Here are a few facts that illustrate the dramatic increase in cybercrime; 2,244 cyberattacks happen daily, according to the University of Maryland! Cyberattacks have increased 37% month-to-month due to the COVID-19 pandemic! An estimated $108M in losses are due to scams in a recent 6-month period. Cybercrime is big business—and happens more often than you…

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  • No! Really! You are a target!

    Cybercriminals are very effective at getting what they want. They have learned that the easiest way around the university’s defenses isn’t hacking and cracking; it’s tricking you into letting them in. They will use everything in their toolbox to implement their attacks. Social engineering is the art of manipulating, influencing, or deceiving you into taking some…

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  • Security Terms

    As the school year gets underway, it is important to be vigilant when checking your email. There are a couple of techniques that scammers are using to steal your information. SPOOFING is the modification of an email so that the message appears to have originated from someone or somewhere other than the actual source. Spoofing is…

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  • You are the TARGET! (No…really…you ARE!)

    Over the summer, several students have fallen victim to phishing scams. Collectively, they have lost thousands of dollars from some very sophisticated scams. You must remain vigilant when reading your email because the scammers have begun posing as UT faculty to get your information, bank account number, and electronic gift cards. This is REAL money!…

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  • RISK – Why We Emphasize Information 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. These are all forms of technology used to reduce the IT risk of disclosing information (i.e., university data, personal data) to unauthorized persons. If…

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