October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month
The internet can be a dark and spooky place. Malware, identity theft, phishing and other tricks can steal your time, money, and even your identity. The Department of Information Technology is here to bring you technology treats throughout the month of October, Cybersecurity Awareness Month.
National Cybersecurity Awareness Month is a great time to learn about the need for computer security, your role in keeping your devices and applications secure, and tips for protecting your identity and the university's data. Each week, the Department of Information Technology will share a critical aspect of cybersecurity on the web, on campus and in direct email communications.
Throughout the month of October, Seton Hall's IT Security team will host a fun, interactive cybersecurity quiz in the University Center from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Mondays and Tuesdays (except during fall break). Participants can earn raffle entries for prizes like earbuds, noise-cancelling headphones, and more, with a spin of the wheel determining additional entries. Plus, test the strength of your password on a secure laptop to see how well it holds up against hacking!
Cybersecurity Awareness Month Topics
Week 1: Password Security
- Use at least 14 characters; the more characters, the better.
- Don't re-use the same password on multiple websites or accounts.
- Make your password easy for you to remember but hard for someone else to guess. Picking letters from a phrase that's meaningful to you may be the source for a good password.
- Never provide your password over e-mail or based on an e-mail request. Any email that requests your password is almost certainly a fraud.
- Protect any recorded passwords. Be careful where you store the passwords that you record or write down.
Week 2: Duo Two-Factor Authentication
- Add an extra layer of security to your account.
- Authenticate in one click by setting up the "push" option.
- Prevent hackers from gaining access to your account, even if they know your password. Always check the information on the push screen before approving.
- When in doubt, click deny.
Week 3: Cybersecurity in an AI World
- Attackers can tamper with data used to train AI models, leading to compromised functionality or inaccurate insights.
- Many AI services use cloud storage across jurisdictions, which may expose sensitive data if stored in regions with weaker data protection laws.
- I-based services integrated with platforms like Microsoft Teams can create security risks if the tools aren’t properly vetted, leading to potential data breaches.
Week 4: Device Security
- Do not leave laptops, tablets or mobile devices that may contain personal information where others have access to them.
- Do not connect to any insecure wireless networks from your smart phone, tablet or handheld devices.
- Regularly update your device software to ensure security patches are applied.
- Always use a strong password or biometric lock on your devices to prevent unauthorized access.
- Immediately report lost or stolen laptops or devices to the Technology Service Desk or local authorities.
Week 5: Cyber Trick or Treat
- Stay vigilant during the shopping season and learn how to distinguish between legitimate discount emails and scams.
- Stick to secure payment methods like credit cards or services such as PayPal, which offer buyer protection. Avoid using wire transfers or prepaid gift cards.
- Verify deals that seem too good to be true by visiting the retailer's official website directly.
- Regularly check your bank and credit card statements for any unauthorized or suspicious transactions, especially after making online purchases.