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.

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!

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.

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.

October 9, 2025 
11:00 am PT / 1:00 pm CT / 2:00 pm ET 
Higher education institutions face security challenges that demand thoughtful, coordinated responses across many of our distributed environments. Addressing these challenges effectively requires not only structure and leadership but also a shared understanding of the complexity that underpins our work, all the while meeting the mission of teaching, learning, and research. Our panelists will cover topics related to risk within our organizations, how to build and deliver a strong security awareness program and culture, and where they see the security space evolving to further educate and promote security in the higher education space. 
Panelists: Guy Albertini (Rutgers), José Domínguez (Oregon), Asmat Noori (Michigan), Andrew Weisskopf (Michigan State)

October 22, 2025 
11:00 am PT / 1:00 pm CT / 2:00 pm ET 
This event is a spine-chilling journey into the real-life dangers of the digital world. We'll share real-world stories of cyberattacks, data breaches, and online scams that will make you think twice about your digital security. Learn about the most common threats, from phishing and ransomware to malware and social engineering, and get practical tips on how to protect yourself. Join our team of cybersecurity experts for an hour of spooky tales and essential security lessons to ensure your digital life doesn't turn into a scary cyber tale!

This event will be hosted in part by PJ Barnett, the ISO's Cybersecurity Awareness Training and Outreach (CATO) Program Manager, with Reg Jackson and Emily Gunthrie from Ohio State University.

October 29, 2025 
9:00 am PT / 11:00 am CT / 12:00 pm ET 
It only takes 1 email, a 30 second call, or 1 social media DM for her to hack you and gain access to your money, data, and systems. Meet Rachel Tobac, who executes these social engineering attacks for a living and uses her real-life ethical hacking stories to keep organizations up to date on the methods criminals are using to trick people. She'll break down recent cyber attacks in the news, and how to defend against the latest hacking methods, even when criminals are using AI. Her tales from the field and live hacking demonstrations throughout the presentation are sure to keep you and your team "politely paranoid" to catch the next human hacker in the act.

From interactive workshops to expert panels, campuses are hosting a variety of activities to promote digital safety and awareness. Please note that some events listed on each university’s event page may be restricted to their students, faculty, and staff.