This message to all students has been approved by Jane Livingston, Associate Vice President and Chief Information Officer.
Now more than ever it’s important to keep vigilant and be a responsible cybercitizen. You may be away from campus for a while, but that doesn’t mean you can forget keeping safe and secure online. As your classes transition to online learning, remember these five cybersecurity tips.
- Be on the lookout for phishing attempts and phone scams
- With current events, scammers are taking advantage of the uncertainty facing us today. Bookmark the ITS Phish Tank to see the current scams facing FSU. If you believe you’ve received a phishing email, forward it to abuse@fsu.edu.
- You may also receive calls requesting your personal or confidential information. Don’t share this information with anyone you do not know and trust.
- Don’t forget about password security
- While you are away from campus and outside your normal routine, it can be easy to forget passwords and logins. If you need to keep a list of your passwords, use a secure password safe. We also recommend using different, strong passwords for each of your online accounts and two-factor authentication if available. Need help creating a strong password? Check out the ITS password tips.
- Download and update the latest antivirus software
- Be mindful of what you are showing on your webcam and cover or disable it when not in use
- With many classes moving to Zoom or another web conferencing tool, make sure you are mindful of what is being displayed behind you in the video stream. If you don’t want to worry, utilize Zoom’s customizable background images or just make sure you aren’t showcasing any personal information in the video feed.
- Verify your home network is secure
- Don’t use default Wi-Fi usernames and passwords. Make sure your Wi-Fi router is properly configured with the firewall turned on and turn on encryption.
For more cybersecurity tips for students, check out the ITS website.