[Students] Cyber Tips

[Lydia Harkey]

If a stranger came up to you on the street, would you give him your name, address, Social Security number or e-mail address?

Probably not.

What about if you post your personal information online or use a mobile device to access your courses? The convenience of accessing the internet through a variety of locations leaves you and your devices vulnerable to theft or hacking through public Internet connections. The good news is that there are steps you can take to protect your identity, your personal information, and your equipment.

1.       Lock your devices. If your phone was lost or stolen, what would be at risk? Most devices have a feature that allows you to set a password to access the keypad or screen.

2.       Create better passwords. It's tempting to create passwords that include familiar names and phrases, and to use the same password for multiple accounts, but these practices can leave you and your information at risk. Create passwords that are long as possible; use a mix of numbers, upper and lower case letters and special characters; and avoid words easily associated with you or part of an account.

3.       Share selectively.  You are likely required to share a certain amount of personal information in your class or online class, and you may choose even more through social networking accounts such as Facebook, LinkedIn, or Twitter. It can be helpful to provide some details to classmates and instructors in what you share. Is there a reason for example to post your home address or home phone number? Probably not. You may have an occasion to share this information with students you are working with on a group project for instance, but otherwise if it's not absolutely required, don't post it.

4.       Check your settings. With most social networking systems you have options related to privacy, concerning who can and cannot access your profile. View the options for each of your accounts and update your settings as needed. Don't assume that the default settings are the most private. Note that these settings can and do change, so it is necessary to routinely check for updates. Review your active profiles and ensure that the privacy levels you have intended are the ones currently applied to your accounts.

5.       Be careful when using unsecure wireless connections. Accessing public wi-fi connections is ultra-convenient, especially when we are working or studying while traveling or taking a break in a coffee shop. Unfortunately, these hotspots are also popular with hackers. Avoid making financial transactions", Use security software, keep Bluetooth switched off while not in use, and keep your software and browsers up-to-date at all times.

6.        Develop good habits. Don't leave your devices unattended and be vigilant with your personal information and how you choose to share it. Add Internet safety steps to your calendar, such as routinely changing your passwords and reviewing your privacy settings. Putting all of the steps outlined above into practice will take time and effort on your part, but can prevent much more costly problems from happening down the road.
While there are lots of steps you can take to protect your privacy, if you are actively online it may be helpful to assume that there is a potential for all of your posted information to be accessed at some point.
Choose your online activities carefully, especially the information you share about yourself, and keep your devices secure when you are in public locations.
If you realize your personal information has been stolen<http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/features/feature-0014-identity-theft> or used inappropriately, contact the police, place a fraud alert on your accounts, and file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission. You may also visit OnGuardOnline.gov<http://www.onguardonline.gov/> for useful, easy-to-understand information on Internet safety.
Remember be Cyber Smart<http://www.tamuc.edu/CampusLife/CampusServices/CITESupportCenter/information-security-office/CITECyberCenter/default.aspx>.



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