October 20, 2021
This message is sent to all UW students, faculty and staff with approval from the Vice President for UW Information Technology and CIO.
October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and it’s a good time to remind everyone how to be safer and more secure online. We all have a part to play in protecting personal and UW data and using University resources appropriately. To find out more about the information mentioned below, search the UW site for “CISO Annual Communications,” where you can find a copy of this message on the home page with links to relevant resources. |
Scammers commonly use phishing emails to trick you into giving them your personal information, such as passwords or credit card numbers, and they’re often successful. Be skeptical of any email that urges you to click on links or download attachments. Phishing emails may appear to come from a recognizable person or organization, such as your supervisor, UW organizations or the health department. Be suspicious of unsolicited job opportunities, offers of financial aid, requests to purchase gift cards or opportunities that seem too good to be true. Be careful not to use your UW NetID password with any other account. Add another layer of security by using two-factor authentication (2FA) to protect your UW NetID and password online; 2FA prevents others from signing in as you, even if they know your password. Keep computers, devices and all applications — including antivirus software — up to date. Encrypt computers and devices, and keep track of the encryption key. Learn what types of UW data you are responsible for and take steps to secure data appropriately. Three data classifications are defined by UW policy: UW Confidential, Restricted, and Public. Certain data types are protected by laws and regulations. Back up your data in at least two different ways, including one offline version. Configure your devices to use eduroam — a free, encrypted Wi-Fi network available at the UW (and at any eduroam-enabled institution throughout the world). There are instructions for how to set up your device to access eduroam on IT Connect. Use a virtual private network (VPN), such as Husky OnNet, when working at home or remotely to access resources on the UW network. Take steps to secure your home Wi-Fi network by using strong passwords and the strongest encryption possible on home routers. State law prohibits the use of UW computing resources, tools or services for commercial or political purposes. Follow copyright laws for software, images, music or other intellectual property, such as books and videos. For more information, review the Appropriate Use web page on IT Connect. |
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact help @uw.edu (no spaces).
Thank you for helping to secure your personal and UW data. Aaron Powell |