When you?re in college, your computer and mobile devices are primary tools in your educational and social life. We want students at Towson University to keep their devices safe and secure, whether it is on campus or at home. The guidelines below can help you maintain your privacy and safety while enjoying the many resources the Web has to offer.
Keep a Clean Machine.
? Keep security software current: Having the latest security software, web browser and operating system are the best defenses against viruses, malware and other online threats.
? Automate software updates: Many software programs will automatically connect and update to defend against known risks. Turn on automatic updates if it is an available option.
? Protect all devices that connect to the Internet: Computers, smart phones, gaming systems and other web-enabled devices all need protection from viruses and malware.
? Plug & scan: USBs and other external devices can be infected by viruses and malware. Use your security software to scan them.
Protect Your Personal Information.
? Make passwords long and strong: Combine capital and lowercase letters with numbers and symbols to create a more secure password.
? Unique account, unique password: Separate passwords for every account helps to thwart cybercriminals.
? Own your online presence: When available, set the privacy and security settings on websites to your comfort level for information sharing. It’s ok to limit whom you share information with.
? Keep your eye on your technology: Never leave your laptop or other devices unattended, even for a few minutes.
Connect with Care.
? When in doubt, throw it out: Links in email, tweets, posts and online advertising are often the way cybercriminals compromise your computer. If it looks suspicious, even if you know the source, it’s best to delete or mark as junk email.
? Using Wi-Fi on campus: Towson University offers free Wi-Fi to students on campus. When you use Wi-Fi, please be respectful to TU policies
? Protect your $$: When banking and shopping, check to be sure the sites are security- enabled. Look for web addresses with “https://” or “shttp://”, which means the site takes extra measures to help secure your information. “Http://” is not secure.
Be Web Wise.
? Stay current. Keep pace with new ways to stay safe online: Check trusted websites for the latest information and share that information with friends, family and colleagues and encourage them to be web wise.
? Back it up: Protect your valuable work, music, photos and other digital information by making an electronic copy and storing it safely.
If you need assistance with any of the guidelines above, you can contact Student Computing Services (SCS) at x704-5151. You can also email them at {scs@towson.edu} or meet them in person in Cook 35.
