Keep your personal information secure with these cybersecurity tips
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Oct. 30, 2023) — Can you remember the last time you updated your computer, passwords or backed up your work? It may be tough to keep track of all the latest cybersecurity practices, but University of Kentucky Information Technology Services (UK ITS) has put together the latest tips to keep you and your data secure. Spending a little time making sure your personal data is safe can save you headaches, and even money, in the long run.
UK ITS has compiled a cybersecurity checklist below of some of the basic things you can do to be a #CyberSafeCat. Once you have checked off the items from the list below, maintaining good cybersecurity habits is easy.
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Report Phishing. Always think twice before clicking links or opening emails from unknown senders. Phishing emails often try to trick you into giving away your information by including offers that are too good to be true (e.g., winning cash or a gift card) or content that creates some sense of urgency (e.g., act now before your account expires). If you know an email is phishing, hit the Report Message button (read more).
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Use strong passwords with the help of a password manager. Cybersecurity best practices include always using unique, complex passwords that you never share. Using a password manager can help. By suggesting strong passwords automatically, it takes the guesswork out of creating new passwords and saves your logins all in one place. Read more about password managers here.
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Use multifactor authentication for every account. At UK, the best way to protect your accounts is to use multifactor authentication via the Duo app. This allows for enhanced cybersecurity features and reduces the chance of someone stealing your credentials. Additionally, it is recommended to turn on biometrics, pin numbers, or any other additional methods of protecting your devices at login.
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Avoid using public or free Wi-Fi. Public Wi-Fi is often unsecured, which means bad actors can easily access computers connected to these public networks. Try using your phone’s hotspot as an alternative, but make sure to enable the password protection in your phone’s settings.
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Don’t overshare your personal information. Be mindful of your information in online posts. Once you take a photo or publish a post on the internet, it is likely there forever.
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Device hygiene. Keep your devices up to date, clear of unused apps or data, and backed up. Downloading the latest operating systems and software upgrades helps protect your phone and computer from cybersecurity weaknesses. Reduce the risk of cybersecurity threats by only keeping software and apps you need. Also, making sure you have secure file storage and back-ups in the cloud can be crucial.
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Use antivirus software. There are many tools out there that can regularly scan your device for threats. For students, Malwarebytes is available for personal devices (read more). For UK employees, please reach out to your IT representative about options for your UK device.
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Stay up to date on security alerts and tips by following UK ITS on social media.
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Subscribe to the UK ITS Phishing Newsletter.
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Check out Cybercon. Cybersecurity experts from UK ITS, the FBI and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency will provide networking opportunities, discuss potential career paths and present valuable cybersecurity information.
As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders — placing students at the heart of everything we do — and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research and creative work, service and health care. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds. It's all made possible by our people — visionaries, disruptors and pioneers — who make up 200 academic programs, a $476.5 million research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.
In 2022, UK was ranked by Forbes as one of the “Best Employers for New Grads” and named a “Diversity Champion” by INSIGHT into Diversity, a testament to our commitment to advance Kentucky and create a community of belonging for everyone. While our mission looks different in many ways than it did in 1865, the vision of service to our Commonwealth and the world remains the same. We are the University for Kentucky.