October is Cyber Security Awareness Month!

 

This month, let’s focus on the actions we can take to protect our personal lives, community, and university, especially in the digital world.

Cybersecurity Awareness Month is a global initiative focused on educating individuals and businesses about online safety and empowering them to protect their data from cybercrime. This year’s theme, "Secure Our World," emphasizes that simple, practical steps can significantly reduce the risk of falling victim to cyberattacks.

 

 

National Cybersecurity Alliance Graphic

Level up your cyber game.

Register for the Big Ten Cybersecurity Gameshow-- Wednesday, October 30, 10AM PST.  Register now!

 

By adopting basic precautions, people can strengthen their defenses against online threats and make it harder for cybercriminals to target them:

Utilize MFA (Multi Factor Authentication)

MFA

Avoid Phishing Links and Emails

Phishing

To better safeguard your online accounts, a password alone isn’t enough. Enabling Multi-Factor Authentication can better safeguard your information and prevent unwanted logins. Make sure to activate MFA on all your accounts that support it-- particularly for email, social media, and financial ones.

Additional Reading: 

Two-Step Login (Duo) FAQ

Adding multi-factor authentication to personal accounts

Turn On MFA | CISA

Cybercriminals attempt to steal sensitive information such as passwords and personal data through scams known as "phishing". These scams can appear as emails, texts, and phone calls, and are designed to prompt a response or get you to click on links. Make sure to report any scams you see at Phishtank.uoregon.edu!

Additional Reading:

Unwanted Contacts: Learn about phishing and other social engineering attacks

Recognize and Report Phishing | CISA

  

Keep all software updated

Update Software

Strengthen your passwords

Strengthen Passwords

Developers are constantly patching vulnerabilities in their programs-- just as quickly as people find them! Be sure to keep up with the latest updates and bug fixes for your software to stay secure. Allowing apps to auto-update can also be beneficial.

Additional Reading:

Home Computing Security Guidelines

USS - Managed Computer Updates 

Update Software | CISA

Your password is one of the first things you should be keeping secure when it comes to online safety. Weak passwords can easily be guessed. Make sure to incorporate a mix of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Additionally, a password manager can assist in generating unique passwords and storing them for your convenience.

Additional Reading:

Duck ID Password Requirements

Use Strong Passwords | CISA

  

Cybersecurity Awareness Month Events: