Cybersecurity Month | 15 Tips to Improve Your Cybersecurity

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Oct. 24, 2019) — October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month and the University of Kentucky's Information Technology Services (ITS) is more than half way through the #SecureBlue campaign. The campaign's purpose is to enhance awareness and encourage vigilance of data protection for the UK community. 

In celebration of Cybersecurity Awareness Month UK ITS created 15 tips to protect yourself and your family from cyber threats.

• Friend or Foe - It is easy for a scammer to imitate friends online and ask for confidential information. Verify the identity on the account before accepting new or duplicating friend requests. 
• Choose an anti-virus you can trust - Anti-virus is a must in order to protect your devices. Most offer a vulnerability scan which can close loopholes for attackers. 
• Be wary of social engineering - Be on high alert when you receive a call from an unknown number. Don’t share confidential information over the phone without verifying the identity of the caller. 
• http vs. https - Do not give out confidential information if the website you’re visiting doesn’t have “s” in http. A url beginning with “https” tells you that the site encrypts the data you put in and the data flow can’t be tampered with. 
• Avoid oversharing - Oversharing can influence your online security and make you a target for cybercrime. 
• Use a password manager - Don’t use the same password for everything, instead download a password manager to store your different passwords. 
• Enable Adblocker - Did you know that attackers can inject malicious code or malware-filled ads into legit online advertising networks and websites? The malicious code in the ad can find vulnerabilities in your system and infect your computer with malware. 
• Create a strong passphrase for your devices - ITS recommends a minimum of 10 characters in length, including uppercase, lowercase letters, and a space
• Limit use of public computers - If you use a public computer, be careful with sensitive information. Make sure to log out of your account when you’re finished. 
• Be aware of your financial state - You’re entitled to one free copy of your credit report every 12 months from select nationwide credit reporting companies. Make sure you know your score!
• Verify app permissions - Remember those terms and conditions you always skip over? Read them and research the ones you don’t understand before accepting them.
• Don’t post everything on social media - Anyone who views your social media profile can easily gain access to large amounts of information, which includes everything you share. 
• Keep your computer, cell phone, and other operating systems and applications software up to date - Keeping the latest version of your operating system is the best defense against viruses, malware and other threats. In addition, set your devices to auto-update to ensure you’re protected. 
• Limit use of public WiFi - 90% of public WiFi networks at airports, hotels, & cafés are not secure. UK’s eduroam network is secure! Banking or shopping should only be done on a device that belongs to you; on a network you trust. 
• Limit what you share - Don’t give out your email password or any other important personally identifiable information. 

To learn more about what can you do to protect yourself from cyber threats click here.

In addition, the ITS Cybersecurity Team is available by request to present to colleges, department staff meetings, classes, clubs, etc. To request a presentation, please email ITSaboutYou@uky.edu.