A biweekly publication for faculty and staff

IT Observes National Cyber Security Awareness Month

October 9, 2013
October is National Cyber Security Awareness Month, a national campaign to raise awareness about steps each of us can take to stay safer and more secure online.
 
UC Merced's Information Technology department welcomes the opportunity to visit groups on campus to discuss specific topics of interest related to improving and increasing cyber security and answer any questions. Contact infosecurity@ucmerced.edu with questions, concerns or to report an incident.
 
Meanwhile, the National Cyber Security Alliance and StaySafeOnline.org offer these helpful tips:
  • Keep a Clean Machine: Keep all Internet connected devices free from infection and malware by keeping all critical software and security software, web browsers, apps and operating systems up to date.
  • Protect Your Personal Information: Secure your accounts by making passwords long, strong and unique.
  • Connect with Care: Limit the type of business you conduct using unsecure wi-fi hotspots.
  • When in Doubt, Throw it Out: If an email, social network post or text message looks suspicious, even if you know the source, delete it.
  • Be Web Wise: Be wary of communications that implore you to act immediately, offer something that sounds too good to be true or ask for personal information.
Password-Specific Recommendations
  1. Do not share your passwords with anyone, or in any way publish them. 
  2. For accounts that provide access to restricted data, use different passwords from the ones you keep for less-restricted or personal use. 
  3. Generate passwords that exceed the minimum requirements. You can use Microsoft’s Password Strength Checker as a guide for generating strong passwords. 
  4. Ensure passwords are transmitted securely. 
  5. If you think your password has been compromised, contact the IT Help Desk at ext. 4357 or helpdesk@ucmerced.edu
  6. For more recommendations, visit the Password Strength and Security section of IT's website.