As each semester begins, it can take some time to get back into your daily routine at Towson University. When you are caught up in creating syllabi, learning students’ names and grading test papers, it is easy to forget that your computer stores valuable information. We here at the Office of Technology Services (OTS) want to make sure you are following best practices by keeping your and your students’ private information secure. Internet safety and security are vital to keep track of while working in a university environment. One simple, unknowing mistake could lead to important data getting into the wrong hands. Following these tips can help you have a safe and secure school year at Towson University:
Safe E-mail Tips
- Passwords: Treat your email account password as you would your network account password.
- Beware of Phishing/Spam: If you receive an email from an address that you do not recognize and it is asking for personal or financial information from you, this may be a phishing/spam attempt. Do not open this or provide any information back to that email! If you receive an email on your school account that is not from a student or another faculty member you know, report it to the OTS Help Desk immediately. When in doubt, call the sender before you open the email.
- Know where you’re going before you click: Be careful following website links sent to you in email. If you are not sure of the website listed, do not click on the link. There are hostile or inappropriate sites that should not be visited.
- Remember acceptable use: Never send inappropriate or illegal items through email. Email is not considered a private form of communication. It’s not hard to capture email messages as they travel across the internet. A rule of thumb is, never send anything in an email you don’t want others to see.
- Log out: Do not leave your email account logged in. Get into the habit of checking your email on a regular basis and logging out. This keeps your account safe and frees up resources for others.
If you need assistance with any of the guidelines above, you can contact the Faculty/Staff Help Center at x4-5151. You can also meet them in person in Cook Library, Room 29.
