October is National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM). The Office of Information Security in the Office of Technology Services (OTS) always encourages campus participation in promoting a safer, more secure and more trusted internet, but is especially focusing on efforts throughout this month.
This week’s NCSAM theme is Our Continuously Connected Lives: What’s Your “Apptitude”? This week focuses on users’ ability navigate and examine our future in this connected world and provide strategies for security, safety and privacy. The Internet is becoming a network that connects everything to the individual. In this growing ‘Internet of Things’ it is important to remember your own online presence and limit how and with whom you share your information. Increased interconnectivity brings an increased risk of cybercrime. Remember to “think before you app,” and familiarize yourself with privacy policies & settings before using a smart device.
Resources for Navigating Safely
- Check out Norton’s 30 second video on the Security and the Internet of Things.
- Follow the Office of Information Security on Twitter @TowsonInfoSec.
- Review the Identity Theft Resource Center Fact Sheet 147 Risks of Mobile Applications for information on risks, protection, warning signs and step to take if you become a victim.
Steps to Combat Cybercrime
- Create a guest login on mobile devices if you use insecure applications or while on unsecured WiFi hotspots
- Connect safely when on campus – use the TU wireless network tu-secure.
- Faculty and staff noticing unusual or suspicious activity on their computers should report it to the OTS Faculty/Staff Help Center.
- Students suspecting that their device has a virus can have it checked at Student Computing Services.
Join OTS’ Office of Information Security for TU’s first Cyber Security Event on October 31! For event schedule and details visit www.towson.edu/securityawareness.
